"Gyeonggi province"

Gyeonggi Province is the most populous province in South Korea. Its name, Gyeonggi, means "the area surrounding the capital". Gyeonggi Province is located in the central west area of the Korean Peninsula and surrounds the Korean capital city of Seoul. Situated between 126° and 127° east longitude and between 36° and 38° north latitude, Gyeonggi Province is bordered to the north by the 38th parallel (Demilitarized Zone separating South Korean and North Korea), and to the west by the Yellow Sea. Gyeonggi Province is divided into northern and southern halves by the Han River, which flows through the province from east to west. The northeastern area is mountainous while the southwestern area consists of wide plains.

Food in Gyeonggi province

1. Galbi (갈비)

Galbi or grilled ribs is one of the famous dishes in Suwon. Depending on whether the meat is beef or pork, the ribs are marinated in either a mixture of sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil or a spicy and savory chili paste-based marinade. Beef ribs are generally marinated using the soy sauce-based marinade, while pork ribs can be marinated in either sauce. The meat is normally served raw to customers and cooked on top of a grill by the customers themselves. When cooked properly, the meat should look glossy and easily falls off the bone.

2. Samgyetang (삼계탕)

Samgyetang which literally means ginseng chicken soup (sam: ginseng, gye: chicken, tang: soup) is a traditional health food among Koreans. It is made by boiling a whole chicken filled with different ingredients such as garlic, rice, jujube, and ginseng. While this is a warm soup dish, it is traditionally eaten on days of the hottest weather in the summer and is believed to promote health and well-being. Scrumptious and hearty, this dish is a must-try when you visit Korea.

3. Ogok-bap (오곡밥)

While this last one is not technically a dish, this is one of the most enjoyed foods in Gyeonggi province. Ogok-bap or simply five-grains rice is a rice mix composed of glutinous rice, proso millet, sorghum, black beans, and red beans. Traditionally eaten in the first full moon in the lunar calendar, this rice mix is considered to help replenish the nutrients and energy that people lost during the winter months. Considered as a health and diet food, this is a great alternative to rice for people suffering from high blood pressure and angina.