Chuseok (추석), or Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the most important holidays in Korea. Occurring during the fall, the holiday revolves around celebrating the season’s harvest as well as paying respects to ancestors for another bountiful harvest in the coming year. Food is an integral part of the celebration process, as Korean families traditionally prepare a table full of food as an offering to their ancestors on the morning of Chuseok. This memorial ceremony is called Charye (차례), and the three most commonly found food items on the table during Charye are songpyeon, jeon, and japchae. Songpyeon, or traditional Chuseok rice cakes, are half-moon shaped rice cakes that are made by kneading a rice flour dough mixed with hot water and mung beans. The rice cakes are then typically filled with green soybeans and sesame. Jeon are pan-fried Korean pancakes made by mixing meat and vegetables with a flour batter. Finally, japchae is a savory or sweet dish that consists of stir-fried glass noodles and a variety of vegetables and meat.

In this section, we’ll provide more information on the history of songpyeon, jeon, and japchae, along with some helpful recipes, pictures, and videos. Whether you’re just curious or you’re eager to get cooking and bring the Chuseok festivities to your own home, keep reading!