Seolleongtang (설렁탕)
Seolleongtang (설렁탕) is a traditional Korean ox bone soup, well-known for its signature milky-white broth, created by simmering beef bones for many hours until the flavors, collagen, and nutrients are fully extracted. The dish is typically served with rice, noodles, and thin slices of boiled beef, making it both hearty and comforting.
King Seongjong of Joseon personally participated in these rituals, sharing meals with the people. To ensure that large crowds could be fed with limited resources, he ordered the creation of a dish that maximized every part of sacrificial cattle. After the ceremonies, beef was cooked into soup, while pork was served grilled. This beef soup, originally called Seonnongtang (선농탕), eventually evolved into Seolleongtang.
This long simmering process not only produces its distinct flavor and color but also extracts vital nutrients such as protein, calcium, and minerals, making it a nourishing dish.
The philosophy of utilizing every part of the animal also shaped Korean food culture, encouraging creativity in transforming often-overlooked parts of livestock into flavorful dishes.
Today, it is typically served with rice, kimchi, salted shrimp, sliced onions, and condiments, allowing diners to season their soup according to personal taste.
In traditional Korean medicine, Seolleongtang is considered an energy-boosting food, ideal for patients, the elderly, or those recovering from illness. It is thought to strengthen the body, support bone health, and aid in recovery.
By the 21st century, Seolleongtang spread worldwide, riding the global wave of Korean cuisine. Korean restaurants abroad frequently include Seolleongtang on their menus, sometimes adjusting ingredients and seasonings to suit local tastes.
With rising global interest in healthy eating, Seolleongtang has gained recognition as a nutritious and wholesome dishadditive-free, easy to digest, and suitable for all ages.
Today, Seolleongtang stands not only as a nourishing soup but also as a symbol of Korean identity. To enjoy a bowl of Seolleongtang is to connect with centuries of tradition, cultural roots, and the comforting essence of Korean cuisine.
For those who wish to try making Seolleongtang at home, all the ingredients are available at Rimping Supermarket.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name Seolleongtang comes from two Korean words: Seol (설), meaning snow, which reflects the soups snowy-white color, and Tang (탕), meaning soup or broth. Together, the name can be translated as snowy-white soup.Historical Origins
There are several theories about the origins of Seolleongtang, but the most widely accepted is linked to rituals of the Joseon Dynasty. Each year, Koreans performed ancestral and agricultural ceremonies known as Seonnongje (선농제), held at Seonnongdan (선농단)a ritual site with roots tracing back to the Silla Kingdom.King Seongjong of Joseon personally participated in these rituals, sharing meals with the people. To ensure that large crowds could be fed with limited resources, he ordered the creation of a dish that maximized every part of sacrificial cattle. After the ceremonies, beef was cooked into soup, while pork was served grilled. This beef soup, originally called Seonnongtang (선농탕), eventually evolved into Seolleongtang.
The Traditional Cooking Method
Making authentic Seolleongtang requires patience and time. Beef bones, feet, head parts, brisket, and shank are boiled for 1024 hours until the collagen and marrow transform the broth into a creamy white soup.This long simmering process not only produces its distinct flavor and color but also extracts vital nutrients such as protein, calcium, and minerals, making it a nourishing dish.
Influence on Korean Culinary Culture
Seolleongtang greatly influenced the development of Korean cuisine, particularly the practice of using bones as the base for soups, which later inspired dishes like Gomtang and Samgyetang.The philosophy of utilizing every part of the animal also shaped Korean food culture, encouraging creativity in transforming often-overlooked parts of livestock into flavorful dishes.
From Tradition to Popularity
By the 20th century, Seolleongtang became a widely available commercial dish, with specialty restaurants opening in Seoul. Its simple yet rich flavor made it a favorite across all social classes, eventually becoming a symbol of everyday Korean home-style cooking.Today, it is typically served with rice, kimchi, salted shrimp, sliced onions, and condiments, allowing diners to season their soup according to personal taste.
Nutritional and Medicinal Value
Seolleongtang is not only delicious but also highly nutritious. The long boiling process releases collagen, protein, calcium, and amino acids such as glycine and proline, which are beneficial for bone and joint health.In traditional Korean medicine, Seolleongtang is considered an energy-boosting food, ideal for patients, the elderly, or those recovering from illness. It is thought to strengthen the body, support bone health, and aid in recovery.
Global Recognition
In the second half of the 20th century, Seolleongtang evolved further with restaurants focusing on the quality of bones and longer simmering timessometimes up to 24 hoursto achieve the perfect broth.By the 21st century, Seolleongtang spread worldwide, riding the global wave of Korean cuisine. Korean restaurants abroad frequently include Seolleongtang on their menus, sometimes adjusting ingredients and seasonings to suit local tastes.
With rising global interest in healthy eating, Seolleongtang has gained recognition as a nutritious and wholesome dishadditive-free, easy to digest, and suitable for all ages.
Today, Seolleongtang stands not only as a nourishing soup but also as a symbol of Korean identity. To enjoy a bowl of Seolleongtang is to connect with centuries of tradition, cultural roots, and the comforting essence of Korean cuisine.
For those who wish to try making Seolleongtang at home, all the ingredients are available at Rimping Supermarket.
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