There’s a tradition in Korean culture that when visiting our loved one’s graves, we show respect by bringing their favorite dishes. We bring the finished dishes as well as flowers and any other beloved items to their graveside and present them with honor and bow deeply on our knees. It’s a sign of respect and showing them that they are still in our thoughts. They may be gone from this world, but they are still loved and held in high regard.

In this episode of Real Korean Cooking Stories filmed during my visit to Korea in 2015, I visited my late father’s grave and brought along some of the foods he used to love when he was alive. I also brought my first published cookbook, Real Korean Cooking, to show him.

Recipe notes

This video features a lot of recipes!

Posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2025. Last updated on April 30, 2025.
Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

6 Comments:

  1. Rinshin joined 6/25 3 comments
    Posted June 26th, 2025 at 11:28 am | Reply to this comment or create a profile.

    Where do I find the pan fried chopped clam pancake recipe? I would love to make that. Is it similar to making pajeon?

    1. sanne Munich joined 8/14 & has 313 comments
      Posted June 27th, 2025 at 2:16 am | Reply to this comment or create a profile.

      Did you have this one in mind?
      maangchi.Com/recipe/haemuljeon

      1. Maangchi New York City joined 8/08 & has 592 comments
        Posted July 4th, 2025 at 2:38 pm | Reply to this comment or create a profile.

        Thanks, sanne! That’s a really good suggestion!

  2. Rinshin joined 6/25 3 comments
    Posted June 26th, 2025 at 11:23 am | Reply to this comment or create a profile.

    Although in Japan we do not bring food, we clean the headstone well, pull up any weeds and leave flowers. The food is offered in our butsudan in our homes.

    Very, very nice Emily. I would love to cook with you.

  3. jonyrank1 comment
    Posted April 28th, 2025 at 11:50 am | Reply to this comment or create a profile.

    Hi Maangchi,
    I found it very interesting and touching that in your Korean Tradition you show respect to your loved one’s grave by bringing their favorite dishes.
    I never heard of it before. By the way, I must admit you’re a very good cook and I really like your cooking videos. Anyway, please add some healthy and delicious Koren snacks that we can easily try at home.

    Thank you.

    1. Maangchi New York City joined 8/08 & has 592 comments
      Posted April 29th, 2025 at 10:56 am | Reply to this comment or create a profile.

      Hi jonyrank,
      Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really touched that you found the tradition meaningful—it’s a special way we honor and stay connected to our loved ones.
      There are lots of healthy and easy Korean snack recipes if you click here.
      https://www.maangchi.com/recipes/snacks
      Take a look and choose what you like! : )

Leave a Reply

You must create a profile and be logged in to post a comment.