If you are a fan of South Korea, seen some k-drams or like some K-pop bands, I suspect you already know that Koreans have this tradition of eating seaweed soup (miyeokguk) on their birthday. But do you know why? Where does this tradition come from and how it started? If you don’t know, it’s ok, we will let you know.
So, it seems that according to a historical record from the Tang Dynasty of China, in Goryeo times people have noticed that the whales were eating seaweed to recover after they gave birth. Therefore, following this behavior people started serving seaweed to women during postnatal care and realized it’s detoxifying benefits, ideal for recovery.
Traditionally, the seaweed soup was dedicated to Samsin Halmoni, or Grandmother Samsin, who is the triple goddess of childbirth and destiny in Korean mythology. People in ancient times used to place seaweed soup next to the pregnant women’s pillow during the week before birth. Hence, miyeokguk is a Korean cuisine symbolizing birth.
Therefore, the tradition of eating seaweed soup on birthdays, it comes as a result of the whole history with women who give birth, it is a way of honoring the mothers who brought us into the world with love and sacrifice. With this, the Koreans thank one more year of life, honor their mothers and start another year "with luck."
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