By Priscilla Osaje
Six Nigerian youths on Wednesday participated in preparing two Korean side dishes in a cooking programme to celebrate Korea traditional festival “Chuseok”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chuseok traditional festival is Korea’s annual thanksgiving holiday, which happens to be one of the biggest event in modern Korea.
The festival, which is equivalent to ‘thanksgiving’ is spanned over three days.
Chuseok consists of making platefuls of food , as well as coming together with family members to remember ancestors by showing gratitude for the past and future.
The cooking programme, which was organised by the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) in Abuja was to enable Nigerians to join in the celebration of Chuseok due to the Korean booming culture in Nigeria.
The event, also aimed at making Nigerians to develop the interest of finding more and more traditional things of Chuseok that they could relate to.
The ingredients for the Korean side dish Kkochijeon(pan-fried skewers) were; Oyster, mushroom, beef, crap sticks, garlic, salt, cooking oil, eggs, black pepper, water, flour, spring onion and sugar.
The ingredients for Hobakjeon (pan-fried Battered Zucchini) were marrow, salt cooking oil, eggs, black pepper, water, flour, dark soy sauce( Jinganjang).
The participants, who demonstrated their zeal and enthusiasm in preparing the side dishes told NAN that celebrating Chuseok was a day to be remembered, especially with preparation of these delicious dishes.
Deborah Olabelurin, a participant, said preparing the two Korean side dishes was not really complicated, just that a lot of cutting was involved to get the desired shape.
Olabelurin, an analyst with a consulting firm, said being a Korea fan was exciting, because of the opportunity to learn some basic things like food, attires, dance among others.
According to her, Korean dishes run through individuals minds, especially if you are lover of Korean movies.
“What we prepared today is Korean side dishes and it was inform of pancakes compared to Nigerian pancake.
“It is obvious that Koreans eat a lot of vegetable and beef, so I urged Nigerians to put more vegetables in their food as well as being creative with our food.
“I can proudly say that both countries are actually doing well, the synergy between the two countries is very strong. I must tell you Korea is my second country,” she said.
Another participant, Ms Gift John, said preparing the two side dishes in the food programme to mark Chuseok festival today was an exciting experience.
According to John, preparing their dishes and eating it as well makes me feel excited.
“I think the first attraction is their movies, because from their movies you see their food, music and every other thing, then you have no choice than to fall in love with them.
“They have impacted me by making me to learn about most of their dishes and their health benefits, ” she said.
Ms Hauwa Ibrahim, said that the programme was filled with fun and excitement due to the simple process of preparing the dishes.
“If you observed, everybody was having fun, making the dishes without stress, coupled with the fact that it is something you can actually make on you own at home,” she said.
Ms Sharon Yakubu, Culture and Event Officer of KCCN, said Chuseok was the Korean festival celebrated generally for three days.
Yakubu said that Chuseok was a time for people to have their new harvests, as well as celebrate their ancestors for giving them a fruitful and good harvest.
“In present days, is also a time to celebrate new beginnings, to celebrate family.
“Family get together is always cherished at this time.
“So people leave from their villages to the cities to see elderly ones in order to celebrate with them.
“Certain dishes are made, one of it was what we just did, though it was actually snacks,” she said.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA