Wolgwa-chae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Wolgwa-chae

Wolgwa-chae topped with chili threads and egg garnish
Type	Japchae
Place of origin	Korea
Associated national cuisine	Korean cuisine
Serving temperature	Warm
Main ingredients	Oriental pickling melon, beef, mushrooms, bukkumi, vegetables

Wolgwa-chae (Hangul: 월과채; Hanja: 越瓜菜) is a delicious Korean dish. It's a type of stir-fried vegetable mix called japchae. The main ingredient is a special melon known as wolgwa in Korean. This tasty dish was once served to kings and queens in the Korean royal court. It was a popular summer meal.

What is Wolgwa-chae?

Wolgwa-chae is a colorful and healthy dish. It mixes different ingredients like vegetables, meat, and sometimes rice cakes. The name "wolgwa-chae" comes from its main ingredient, the wolgwa melon. "Chae" means a dish made with sliced vegetables.

Ingredients for Wolgwa-chae

The most important ingredient is the Oriental pickling melon. This melon is called wolgwa in Korean. However, this melon is now quite rare. So, people often use other vegetables instead.

Common Substitutes

• In modern South Korea, a type of squash called aehobak is often used.
• Sometimes, people use cucumber or eggplant instead of the melon.

Other Key Ingredients

• Meat: Beef is a common choice. In school meals, pork might be used instead.
• Mushrooms: You might find shiitake or oyster mushrooms in the dish.
• Rice Cakes: Chapssal-bukkumi (pan-fried glutinous rice cakes) are often added. Sometimes, tteokmyeon (rice cake noodles) are used, especially in school meals.
• Vegetables: Other fresh vegetables are also included to make the dish colorful and nutritious.

How Wolgwa-chae is Made

Making Wolgwa-chae involves several steps. Each ingredient is prepared carefully.

Preparing the Melon or Substitute

• First, the melon or substitute vegetable is seeded.
• Then, it's sliced into thin strips. This is called julienning.
• The strips are lightly salted.
• Finally, they are squeezed to remove extra water.

Cooking Other Ingredients

• The beef, mushrooms, and other vegetables are also cut into thin strips.
• Each of these ingredients is seasoned separately.
• Then, they are stir-fried one by one.
• Cooks might add scallions and garlic for extra flavor. These are called aromatics.

Adding Rice Cakes

• Bukkumi are thin, round rice cakes. They are made from glutinous rice flour.
• They are usually about 4 to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) wide.
• These rice cakes can be added whole or sliced into strips.

Mixing and Serving

• After all ingredients are cooked, they are gently mixed together.
• Common seasonings for the mix include sesame oil, ground black pepper, and crushed toasted sesame seeds.
• When served, Wolgwa-chae often has special toppings. These can be crushed pine nuts, thin red chili threads, or decorative egg garnish.

Wolgwa-chae is usually served warm. It's a great way to enjoy fresh vegetables and a taste of Korean history!

See also

In Spanish: Wolgwachae para niños