Folks go to the Christmas Gwanghwamun Market at Gwanghwamun Sq. in central Seoul, Dec. 14. Yonhap
Each December, Seoul embraces the seasonal festivities with broadly marketed Christmas-themed specials. Via the years, Christmas in Korea has developed from a small spiritual affair to an extravagant celebration of the top of the yr with household and associates.
Christmas grew to become popularized in Korea as totally different types of Christianity unfold within the 18th and nineteenth centuries, and emerged as a secular celebration within the twentieth century. The celebration was first designated a nationwide vacation in 1945 beneath the U.S. navy authorities.
As the vacation’s spirit of pleasure, love and hope resonated, get-togethers, gift-giving and festive celebrations grew to become extra widespread, particularly amongst youthful Koreans. These are actually a part of the native Christmas tradition, however draw closely from European and North American traditions.
Because the air turns crisp and metropolis streets glow with lights, many Koreans discover themselves considering of Europe’s Christmas markets. Scenes that when required flights not really feel so far-off, with snow-dusted public squares, heat mulled wine and candy treats present in spots throughout Seoul and across the peninsula.
From Germany’s stollen to France’s buche de Noel, or Xmas log, Seoul’s cafe and bakery scene has introduced Christmastime culinary traditions from the Continent to our doorstep. Here’s a nearer take a look at 5 European year-end desserts to take pleasure in in Korea.
Stollen / Captured from Fritz Espresso Firm on Instagram
1. Stollen (Germany)
Stollen is a standard German Christmas bread made with dried fruits, nuts and spices. It’s coated in a thick layer of powdered sugar, resembling snow. In recent times, stollen has surged in reputation throughout the Christmas season, changing into broadly out there by way of limited-time gross sales at well-known bakeries like Sungsimdang in Daejeon.
Vin Chaud / Captured from Patio33 Cafe on Instagram
2. Vin Chaud (France)
Vin chaud is a heat mulled wine infused with citrus, cinnamon, cloves and different spices. True to its identify, which suggests “sizzling wine” in French, it affords heat and luxury throughout the winter months. In Korea, many cafes supply vin chaud as a seasonal menu merchandise throughout the winter. Development-conscious variations, akin to low sugar or nonalcoholic variations, are additionally out there.
Buche de Noel / Courtesy of JOSUN HOTELS & RESORTS
3. Buche de Noel (France)
One other iconic Christmas dessert is the buche de Noel, a rolled sponge cake crammed with cream and embellished to resemble a Xmas log. Rooted in an previous European custom, the dessert symbolizes the burning away of misfortune and welcoming of excellent fortune within the coming yr. In Korea, many accommodations and cafes together with Josun Lodge and Starbucks characteristic buche de Noel as a specialty merchandise throughout the Christmas season.
Panettone / Captured from Honeybee Seoul on Instagram
4. Panettone (Italy)
Originating in Milan, panettone has turn out to be an emblem of Italy in Korea. This tall, dome-shaped candy bread is crammed with candied orange peel and raisins. Frivolously crisp on the skin and comfortable and ethereal inside, panettone is a well-liked Christmas deal with in Korea, simply discovered at main retailers like Costco.
Pandoro / Captured from Kimsfoodguide on Instagram
5. Pandoro (Italy)
Pandoro is a standard Christmas cake from Verona, Italy. That means “golden bread,” its star-shaped kind is completed with a beneficiant dusting of powdered sugar, evoking the picture of snow-covered peaks. Whereas pandoro is loved throughout the holidays in Italy, it’s out there year-round in Korea. Cafe Onion, with places in Anguk-dong in central Seoul and Seongsu-dong in japanese Seoul, is among the most well-known locations to expertise this iconic dessert.
Ahn Web optimization-hyeon is a Korea Occasions intern.
