Comforting Korean Foods for Rainy Days – Recipes Filled with Love and Consideration




☔ Introduction

When it rains, the sound of sizzling pancakes in a pan remarkably resembles the patter of raindrops outside. In Korea, rainy days are a special time to share warmth through simple ingredients. Today, I want to share three representative "Rainy Day" recipes, along with a beautiful story about "The Heart of Consideration" that my mother once told me.

👨‍🍳 Master These 3 Recipes: Tailored for Beginners

1️⃣ Crispy Seafood Scallion Pancake (Haemul Pajeon)

  • Ingredients: 1 bunch of scallions (green onions), 1 cup of seafood mix (shrimp, squid, etc.), 1 cup of Korean pancake mix (Buchim-garu), 3/4 cup of cold water, 1 egg.

  • Step-by-Step for Beginners:

    1. Prep: Wash the scallions and cut them to fit the size of your pan. Pat the seafood dry with a paper towel.

    2. Batter: In a bowl, whisk the pancake mix and cold water (using cold water makes it crispier!) until smooth.

    3. Fry: Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Lay the scallions down side-by-side.

    4. Assemble: Pour the batter over the scallions, then scatter the seafood on top.

    5. The Egg Touch: Lightly beat an egg and pour it over the top. Flip when the bottom is golden brown. Press down slightly with a spatula to ensure it's crispy.

2️⃣ Savory Kimchi Pancake (Kimchijeon)

  • Ingredients: 1 cup of well-fermented Kimchi (chopped), 1/2 cup of pancake mix, 1/2 cup of frying mix (Twigim-garu) for extra crunch, 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/2 tsp sugar.

  • Step-by-Step for Beginners:

    1. Prep: Chop the Kimchi into small, bite-sized pieces. If the Kimchi is too sour, mix in 1/2 tsp of sugar to balance the flavor.

    2. Batter: Mix the pancake mix, frying mix, water, and Kimchi in a bowl. The batter should be slightly thick but pourable.

    3. Fry: Thinly spread the batter onto a hot, oiled pan. The thinner the layer, the crispier the edges!

    4. Finish: Cook for 3-4 minutes on medium heat, flip, and cook the other side until golden and crunchy.

3️⃣ Hand-Pulled Dough Soup (Sujebi)

  • Ingredients: [Dough] 2 cups flour, 2/3 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tbsp oil. [Soup] Anchovy broth (or water with dashi), 1 potato, 1/2 onion, 1/2 zucchini.

  • Step-by-Step for Beginners:

    1. The Dough: Mix flour, water, salt, and oil. Knead it until smooth. Pro-tip: Put it in a plastic bag and let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. This makes the dough much chewier!

    2. The Broth: Boil your broth. Slice the potato, onion, and zucchini into bite-sized pieces and add them to the boiling soup.

    3. The Fun Part: Wet your hands slightly. Pull off small, thin pieces of the dough and drop them into the boiling broth. Make them as thin as possible!

    4. Seasoning: Once the dough pieces float to the top, season with soy sauce or salt to taste.

💡 My Personal Thoughts

When I was a child, watching my mother fry pancakes whenever it rained, I once asked her: "Mom, why do we always eat pancakes on rainy days?"

She smiled and explained that in the past, cooking oil was very precious. If someone cooked oily, savory food on a clear day, the delicious aroma would travel far and wide to the neighbors. Since most people couldn't afford to share their food with everyone, they didn't want to make their neighbors feel left out or envious.

"On rainy days," she said, "the air is heavy, so the smell doesn't travel as far." It was our ancestors' way of enjoying a treat while being mindful of others' feelings.

That lesson stayed deep within me. When I first moved into my current home, we used to grill meat in the backyard quite often. However, after hearing that our neighbor is a vegetarian, I stopped grilling outside. Considering that what is joyful for me might be uncomfortable for someone else—this is the "way of walking together" that my mother taught me.

Whether I'm sharing food with colleagues at a workshop or watching my second son enjoy his favorite Choco Pie, I always remember this "heart of consideration."

✅ Conclusion

Korean rainy-day foods are more than just recipes; they carry the wisdom of ancestors who cared for their community. Whether it’s Pajeon or Sujebi, these dishes remind us to slow down and value togetherness. Just like my journey of building a dream with sincerity, I want to keep moving forward with a heart that respects others. What comfort food warms your heart today?

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