There are a lot of different kinds of food that come to mind when thinking of cold weather. There are countless dishes in Korea that can help people survive the cold winter such as soups and steamed dishes, but let¡¯s take a look at the boiled meat dish called suyuk. Suyuk, which literally means ¡°meat cooked in water,¡± has the mild taste and soft, juicy texture of boiled meat that come together to create the perfect harmony with different seasonings.

The character for su means ¡°water¡± while the character for yuk means ¡°meat.¡± As the name suggests, any type of meat boiled in water has been referred to as suyuk in Korea since ancient times. Suyuk is not simply the name of the dish, but the cooking method itself. There are records of cows, sheep and pigs being cooked in boiling water and eaten. There are also many materials that provide a look into the long history of suyuk. There is a record from the early 18th century during the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon Dynasty that says, ¡°Suyuk is served during ancestral rites.¡± There¡¯s also a record from the late Joseon period that says, ¡°Suyuk appears when cold noodles are eaten.¡± Cookbooks from the Joseon Dynasty of the late 19th century also include descriptions of how to cook suyuk. Since suyuk has existed since ancient times, there are many different cooking methods. There are also various methods to remove any unpleasant meat odors such as adding alcohol, spices (such as onions and garlic) or herbal medicine.

Suyuk may have a long history and a variety of recipes, but its history has not been maintained. This is because the scope of the dish has narrowed. In the past, people used other kinds of meat such as wild boar and sheep in addition to pigs and cows. However, the dish is only made with pork and beef these days. Of the options, suyuk with pork belly is the most popular.

It is unknown how suyuk made with pork belly became what is known as ¡°regular suyuk,¡± but it is presumed to be due to the characteristics of the ingredients. Pork belly may be the most attractive choice for suyuk as the cut is cheaper than beef yet has more fat, flavor and juicy texture.

In any case, there¡¯s nothing more effective than tasting suyuk to understand the charm of the dish. The best option for those visiting Korea and looking to try suyuk would be to stop by a traditional market. Each place has its own recipe and the side dishes served along with it have their own characteristics, so there¡¯s no better place to explore the world of suyuk than a traditional market.

Another recommended place to visit is an alley that only sells bossam (boiled pork wraps). Bossam is a dish where suyuk is wrapped in freshly-made kimchi. In particular, there¡¯s an alley in Jongno-gu District (located in the center of Seoul) lined with shops that only sell bossam. Just like a traditional market, a trip to these shops is a great way to experience unique recipes for bossam and the kimchi and other side dishes that come with it.

There¡¯s no need to worry if it¡¯s not possible to take a trip to Korea. Suyuk can be made at home with easy-to-find ingredients and tools. There are numerous recipes people can try out depending on availability of ingredients and individual preferences.

People can usually find recipes like the following online. The recipes generally say to boil water with doenjang (soybean paste), onions, garlic, green onions and alcohol. However, there¡¯s also a type of suyuk that is only steamed with the moisture from vegetables as opposed to water. This is done by placing a lot of vegetables at the bottom of the pot and adding spices such as garlic to the meat and cooking it for a long time. There¡¯s also a version that uses an electric rice cooker as well as a method that uses popular beverages with lots of spices such as cola.

Suyuk can be eaten with jang (a traditional Korean fermented sauce), vegetables or wrapped in freshly-made kimchi (like bossam). Suyuk is a very attractive dish on its own with just a bit of seasoning, even without any side dishes. The dish can be enjoyed on its own or added to other dishes to create a more personalized recipe.

Suyuk is a simple, light dish, but it¡¯s incredibly satisfying. It is a great dish for those looking to enjoy a simple, light dish while staying in a place with a dry, cold season like Korea. Warm suyuk can help people experience a moment with a full stomach and warm body and mind.