Myeolchi-jeot (멸치젓) or salted anchovies is a variety of jeotgal (salted seafood),made by salting and fermenting anchovies. [1] Along with saeu-jeot (salted shrimps),it is one of the most commonly consumed jeotgal in Korean cuisine. In mainland Korea,myeolchi-jeot is primarily used to make kimchi, [2] while in Jeju Island,meljeot (멜젓;myeolchi-jeot in Jeju language) is also used as a dipping sauce. [3] The Chuja Islands,located between South Jeolla and Jeju,are famous for producing the highest quality myeolchi-jeot. [4]
Myeolchi-jeot (멸치젓) is a compound of myeolchi (멸치),the Korean word for anchovy (Engraulis japonicus),and jeot (젓),the word meaning salted fermented seafood. [5] [6] [7] Meljeot (멜젓) is also a compound,consisting of mel (멜),the Jeju name for anchovy,and jeot. [8] The Jeju word mel is cognate with the first syllable myeol of the Korean word myeolchi,whose second syllable -chi is a suffix attached to fish names. [9] Similar forms to meljeot also occur in mainland Korean dialects,including metjeot (멧젓) and mitjeot (밋젓) in Gyeongsang dialect. [10] [11]
The anchovies for Myeolchi-jeot are harvested along the southern coasts of the Korean Peninsula en masse. Myeolchi-jeot used in the process called gimjang are prepared with mature anchovies known as osari-myeolchi (flood tide anchovies),which are harvested in July and August. On Jeju Island,bigger anchovies harvested in the spring along the coasts of Seogwipo are made into meljeot.
Cleaned fresh anchovies are drained on sokuri (bamboo baskets),and salted with coarse salt weighing 15‒20% of the anchovies. [12] In an onggi (earthenware jar),the anchovies and salt are put in layers,with the uppermost layer being a thick layer of salt,to prevent the anchovies from coming in contact with the air. [2] The jar is sealed,and the salted anchovies are then allowed to ferment at 15–20 °C (59–68 °F) for two to three months in onggi (earthenware jars). Once the myeolchi-jeot has aged another couple of months,it becomes myeolchi-jeot-guk (anchovy extract). [12]
The liquid extract,made after around six months of fermentation of myeolchi-jeot,is filtered and boiled to be used in kimchi. [12] Alternatively,two parts myeolchi-jeot can be mixed with one part water,boiled over high heat,filtered,let set,and the upper,clear layer is used in kimchi. [2] The boiled and filtered myeolchi-jeot liquid may also used to flavor seaweed dishes. [13] Myeolchi-jeot made with boned anchovies are seasoned and eaten as banchan (side dish). [13]
In Geomun Island,where it is difficult to grow soybeans,the remaining solids and cloudy lower layer of liquid after extracting the clear,upper liquid (anchovy extract) from myeolchi-jeot is used to make myeoljang (anchovy paste). [13]
In Jeju Island,meljeot is used as dipping sauce for grilled pork. In summer,meljeot is used in blanched soybean leaf ssam (wrap),and in winter,napa cabbage leaves are dipped in meljeot. [3] Meljeot may also be eaten as banchan (side dish),either as is or seasoned with garlic and chili peppers. [3]
Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish (banchan) consisting of salted and fermented vegetables,most often napa cabbage or Korean radish. A wide selection of seasonings is used,including gochugaru,spring onions,garlic,ginger,and jeotgal. Kimchi is also used in a variety of soups and stews. Kimchi is a staple food in Korean cuisine and is eaten as a side dish with almost every Korean meal.
Gochujang or red chili paste is a savory,sweet,and spicy fermented condiment popular in Korean cooking. It is made from gochu-garu,glutinous rice,meju powder,yeotgireum,and salt. The sweetness comes from the starch of cooked glutinous rice,cultured with saccharifying enzymes during the fermentation process. Traditionally,it would be naturally fermented over years in jangdok (earthenware) on an elevated stone platform called jangdokdae in the backyard.
Kimchi fried rice or kimchi-bokkeum-bap (김치볶음밥) is a variety of bokkeum-bap,a popular dish in South Korea. Kimchi fried rice is made primarily with kimchi and rice,along with other available ingredients,such as diced vegetables or meats like Spam.
Kimchi-jjigae (Korean: 김치찌개) or kimchi stew is a jjigae,or stew-like Korean dish,made with kimchi and other ingredients,such as pork,scallions,onions,and diced tofu. It is one of the most common stews in Korean cuisine.
Anchovy essence is a brown or pink,thick,oily sauce,consisting of pounded anchovies,spices such as black pepper or cayenne pepper,and sometimes wine. It is used as a flavoring for soups,sauces,and other dishes since at least the 19th century. It has been called a British equivalent of Asian fish sauce.
Budu is an anchovy sauce and one of the best known fermented seafood products in Kelantan and Terengganu in Malaysia,the Natuna Islands,South Sumatra,Bangka Island and Western Kalimantan in Indonesia,and Southern Thailand. It is mentioned in A Grammar and Dictionary of the Malay language,With a Preliminary Dissertation,Volume 2,By John Crawfurd,published in 1852.
Banchan are small side dishes served along with cooked rice in Korean cuisine. Banchan are often set in the middle of the table to be shared. At the center of the table is the secondary main course,such as galbi or bulgogi,and a shared pot of jjigae. Bowls of cooked rice and guk (soup) are set individually. Banchan are served in small portions,meant to be finished at each meal and replenished during the meal if not enough. Usually,the more formal the meals are,the more banchan there will be. Jeolla province is particularly famous for serving many different varieties of banchan in a single meal.
Jeotgal (Korean: 젓갈) or jeot (젓),translated as salted seafood,is a category of salted preserved dishes made with seafood such as shrimps,oysters,clams,fish,and roe. Depending on the ingredients,jeotgal can range from flabby,solid pieces to clear,broth-like liquid.
Sundubu-jjigae (Korean: 순두부찌개) is a jjigae in Korean cuisine. The dish is made with freshly curdled extra soft tofu (sundubu) which has not been strained and pressed,vegetables,sometimes mushrooms,onion,optional seafood,optional meat,and gochujang or gochugaru. The dish is assembled and cooked directly in the serving vessel,which is traditionally made of thick,robust porcelain,but can also be ground out of solid stone. A raw egg can be put in the jjigae just before serving,and the dish is delivered while bubbling vigorously. It is typically eaten with a bowl of cooked white rice and several banchan.
Saeu-jeot (Korean: 새우젓) is a variety of jeotgal,salted and fermented food made with small shrimp in Korean cuisine. It is the most consumed jeotgal along with myeolchi-jeot in South Korea. The name consists of the two Korean words saeu and jeot. Saeu-jeot is widely used throughout Korean cuisine but is mostly used as an ingredient in kimchi and dipping pastes. The shrimp used for making saeu-jeot are called jeot-saeu (젓새우) and are smaller and have thinner shells than ordinary shrimp.
Kong-guksu or noodles in cold soybean soup is a seasonal Korean noodle dish served in a cold soy milk broth. It comprises noodles made with wheat flour and soup made from ground soybeans. It is unknown when Korean people started eating kongguksu;however,in accordance with the mention of the dish along with kkaeguksu in Siui jeonseo,a Joseon cookbook published around the late 19th century,it is presumed to have originated at least as early as the 19th century.
Jogi-jeot (조기젓) or salted yellow croaker is a variety of jeotgal,made with yellow croakers. In Korean cuisine,jogi-jeot is widely used as banchan,as a condiment,or as an ingredient for kimchi.
Yukgaejang or spicy beef soup is a spicy,soup-like Korean dish made from shredded beef with scallions and other ingredients,which are simmered together for a long time. It is a variety of gomguk,or thick soup,which was formerly served in Korean royal court cuisine. It is thought to be healthful and is popular due to its hot and spicy nature.
Jatjuk (Korean: 잣죽) or pine nut porridge, is a variety of juk (porridge) made by boiling finely ground pine nuts and rice flour in water. It is a mild,nutritious,and easily digestible dish often served to recovering patients and the elderly.
Jangajji (장아찌) or pickled vegetables is a type of banchan made by pickling vegetables. Unlike kimchi,jangajji is non-fermented vegetables,usually pickled in soy sauce,soybean paste,or chili paste. Jangajji dishes are usually preserved for a long period of time,and served with a drizzle of sesame oil. Preserved foods like jangajji were developed to attain a certain level of vegetable consumption during the long,harsh winters on the Korean peninsula.
Chueo-tang (Korean: 추어탕) or loach soup is a Korean tang (soup) that prominently features pond loach,a freshwater fish. The city of Namwon in southwestern South Korea is known for its version of the dish.
Colatura di alici is an Italian fish sauce made from anchovies,from the small fishing village of Cetara,Campania. The sauce is a transparent,amber-colored liquid,produced by fermenting salted anchovies inside terzigni,small chestnut barrels. The fish used in the sauce are harvested from the Amalfi Coast between March 25 (Annunciation) and July 22.
Baechu-kimchi (배추김치),translated as napa cabbage kimchi or simply kimchi is a quintessential banchan in Korean cuisine,made with salted,seasoned,and fermented napa cabbages.
Ojingeo-jeot (오징어젓) or salted squid is a jeotgal made by salting and fermenting thinly sliced squid. It is a popular banchan with high protein,vitamin and mineral contents.
Doenjang-guk (Korean: 된장국) or soybean paste soup is a guk (soup) made with doenjang and other ingredients,such as vegetables,meat,and seafood. It is thinner,lighter,and milder than doenjang-jjigae. It is similar to the Japanese miso soup. It is sometimes mild,sometimes strong,and accompanied with rice most of the time.
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