Healing Two Generations with Kimchi Jjigae

No, it’s not the Korean version of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

When I was growing up, I rarely ate Korean food with my adoptive family. “Ketchup is a spice to us, Bree,” they’d say. I can say one thing. If good food brings families together, then eating alone in a room when family is present but just doesn’t like your food can be extremely lonely.

In fact my most recent memory of a family gathering is over Presidents’ Day weekend last winter. I usually bring my son’s Hanbok 한복 (Korean traditional clothing) to our family’s annual Presidents’ Day weekend trip in Wisconsin. My entire adoptive family still lives in Minnesota. Since C and I live in Chicago, Wisconsin is a good middle ground. Since this annual family reunion usually falls over or close to Korean Lunar New Year, 설날 Seollal.

For 세배 sebae, I have my son do bowing ceremony for his 할머니 and 할아버지 (Grammy, ‘Gummy,’ and Papa). I make a point to pack treats for the kids. One year I brought a bottle of soju for my brother and his wife, who tend to be the most willing to try new things. Last year I brought 떡 rice cakes, not having time to make and pack the soup usually eaten on New Years by Koreans, ttoekguk 떡국. I set them out on the counter and only my older brother praised them. I could tell he wasn’t feeling it but he thanked us for bringing them. Because he is a kind person and has never been afraid to show his sensitivity.