Nokdu-muk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Nokdu-muk

Cheongpo-muk
Type	Muk
Place of origin	Korea
Main ingredients	Mung bean
Variations	Cheongpo-muk, hwangpo-muk
Similar dishes	Liangfen

Nokdu-muk (pronounced "nok-doo-mook") is a special kind of Korean jelly. It is made from the starch of mung beans. Think of it like a clear, wobbly block! This jelly is a popular food in Korea.

The most common type of Nokdu-muk is called cheongpo-muk (pronounced "chung-po-mook"). This name means "clear froth jelly." It gets this name because it has a clear white color, almost like a light foam.

Sometimes, Nokdu-muk is made yellow. When it is colored with a plant called gardenia, it is called hwangpo-muk (pronounced "hwang-po-mook"). This name means "yellow froth jelly."

Serving and Eating Nokdu-muk

Nokdu-muk is usually served cold. It is often eaten as a banchan, which is a small side dish that comes with a main meal in Korea. A common way to eat it is called nokdu-muk-muchim. This is a salad made with the jelly.

Since Nokdu-muk does not have a strong taste on its own, it is usually seasoned. People often add soy sauce and vinegar to give it more flavor. This makes it a tasty and refreshing part of a meal.

Nokdu-muk for Special Occasions

Nokdu-muk is not just an everyday food. It is often served at important events and celebrations in Korea. You might see it at Korean weddings or other big parties.

This jelly is also a key ingredient in a fancy Korean royal dish called tangpyeong-chae. To make tangpyeong-chae, the nokdu-muk is cut into thin strips. Then, it is mixed with stir-fried shredded beef and different vegetables. All these ingredients are seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame seeds, salt, and sesame oil. It is a very colorful and delicious dish!

Hwangpo-muk: The Yellow Jelly

Hwangpo-muk (also called norang-muk) is the yellow version of mung bean jelly. Its bright yellow color comes from a natural dye made from the fruit of the gardenia plant.

This yellow jelly is especially famous in the Jeolla region of Korea. It is a well-known food in cities like Namwon and Jeonju. In fact, hwangpo-muk is a common ingredient in the famous Jeonju-style bibimbap. Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish with rice, vegetables, meat, and a fried egg, all mixed together.

Just like other Korean jellies, hwangpo-muk is often served in small pieces. These pieces are seasoned with vinegar, soy sauce, and other tasty sauces. This side dish is known as hwangpomuk-muchim.

Images for kids

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  Hwangpo-muk (bottom left) in bibimbap

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  Cheongpo-muk as banchan

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  Cheongpo-muk-muchim (mung bean jelly salad)

See also

In Spanish: Nokdumuk para niños