Seaweed and Porridge Are the Best for Daily Health
In China, health foods often refer to traditional herbs like goji berries, lotus seeds, and ginseng—but in Korea, everyday common foods overlooked by many are considered health staples.
For example, seaweed. It is one of the most common foods in Korea. Koreans eat it at birthdays, postpartum recovery, and breakfast every day. Nutritionists believe seaweed is low in calories, high in gel and minerals, easy to digest and absorb, anti-aging, and won’t cause weight gain—ideal for women’s health. Common Korean preparations include vinegar-marinated seaweed or Korean-style seaweed soup with garlic.
Porridge is also a staple health food in Korea. There are many large, upscale chain porridge shops on the streets, with one bowl costing about 35–56 RMB. Porridge typically includes seafood, meat threads, vegetables, almonds, pine nuts, and is slowly stewed with meat or vegetable broth, aiding digestion and stimulating appetite—perfect for those with poor appetite or weak constitution. Because buckwheat contains antioxidant vitamin P, which lowers blood pressure and aids sleep, and acts as a “intestinal cleaner,” Koreans enjoy mixing buckwheat with rice to make porridge, believing it has health benefits.
Additionally, cabbage and garlic are important health foods in Korean daily life. Nutritionists believe cabbage reduces fever, relieves heat, stops coughing, and dissolves phlegm, and can even inhibit breast cancer cells. Thus, Koreans always add cabbage to hot pot dishes.