Songpyeon in Seoul 2024

Songpyeon is a delicious treat specially made for harvest season celebrations. It comes in various types, depending on the rice cake dough and fillings used. Shaped like a half moon, songpyeon is a quintessential rice cake in Korean holidays and traditional culture.

Types of Songpyeon

Variations of songpyeon include pumpkin songpyeon with steamed chestnuts or roasted sesame seed fillings, and colorful flower songpyeon, each carrying special meanings. Songpyeon filled with bean ingredients symbolizes fulfilled wishes related to knowledge or studies. Flower songpyeon is associated with vitality and energy, while maehwa songpyeon (without fillings) represent wishes for a prosperous outlook on life and a desire for knowledge. To enhance their flavors and impart an appetizing aroma, songpyeon is steamed on a layer of pine needles.

Chuseok

Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, is a major mid-autumn harvest festival in South Korea, celebrated over three days. It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, aligning with the full moon, and is often called the "Korean Thanksgiving" due to its harvest-related traditions and autumn timing. Many South Koreans travel to their ancestral hometowns to enjoy special foods such as hangwa, songpyeon (rice cakes steamed over pine needles), and traditional rice wines like sindoju and dongdongju. Korean pancakes, fresh fruits like Asian pear and hallabong, and sweets such as yakgwa are also enjoyed during this festive season.

History of Songpyeon

Songpyeon is said to symbolize the moon and wishes, which is why people make and eat it while making their wishes. Its shape, resembling a half moon, is believed to signify abundance and prosperity, as Korean ancestors thought a full moon only waned while a half moon would eventually fill up. According to one historical anecdote, during King Uija's reign, a turtle with a carving that read "Silla is half moon" was seen as a symbol of the kingdom's hopeful future. Another Korean tale suggests that making beautifully shaped songpyeon can lead to finding a good spouse or having a beautiful child.