Drinking culture in South Korea is a big part of life, and it seems like everyone in Korea drinks. According to Euromonitor, South Koreans drink 13.7 shots of liquor per week on average, which is the most in the world. The high consumption rate is due in part to a "team building culture" that is centered on alcohol, explains the group's research anaylst Kim Minji. "South Koreans look at drinking as a chance to bond with friends, colleagues and family. Even Psy released his single album named 'Hangover', last summer to show non-Korean the little part of Korean drinking culture.
Given Korea's dedicated drinking culture, it is not surprising that Korea's hangover-curing culture is equally as developed, from pre-drinking drinks to post-drinking drinks to a glorious array of spicy and steamy stews and soups. However, compared to Korean drinking culture, less well known are the many hangover cures and remedies dating back to early Korean history. These ranges from a trip to a hot spring to a hearty bowl of hangover soup, or even the desperate solution of haejangsul(해장술), known in the West as the hair of the dog.
Hangover? Forget hair of the dog, sip Haejangguk(해장국)!
Haejangguk
• Korea's Ancient Tradition of Hangover soup
• a thick, spicy, and very hearty soup
• (average) Price: 7,000won(U.S. $6.5)
• Place of origin : Korea
In Korea, the most popular food to cure hangover is Haejangguk(해장국). Literally, Korea's haejangguk actually means "stew to cure a hangover." There are various types of Haejangguk according to region based on ingredients and recipe that give each variety its own characteristic taste. Above all, I bring three kinds of haejangguk that are most popular in Korea : Kongnamul, Seonji, and Ppyoedagwi Haejangguk
‣ Kongnamul Haejangguk(콩나물해장국)
• Main ingredient: crsip Kongnamuls (bean sprout).
• Characteristic : contaiin aspartic acid *Arpartic acid plays a role in the decomposition of alcohol
• Comment: when you have a hangover and your stomach hurs from drinking, this one is the ideal to eat.
‣ Seonji Haejangguk(선지해장국)
• Main ingredient: congealed pork or cow's blood(=Seonji)
• Characteristic: Rich in iron
• Comment : It is highly effective in overcoming fatigue and hangover. If you want to soothe your tired body, just head to Seonji Haejangguk place!
‣ Ppyeodagwi Haejangguk(뼈다귀해장국)
• Main ingredient: Beef bones, pig spine(Bone=Ppyeodagi)
• Characteristic: rich in protein, calcium, and Vitamin B1
**** Spicy
• Comment: This one is believed that ingredients of this Haejangguk help to prevent aging. Girls, keep an eye on it!
Needless to say, the one cure for a bad hangover is to not drink too much. But when you cannot help drinking that much, just take it easy and sip Haejangguk next day!
