Dong-gerang-ddeng, Korean Food in the Kdrama "Queen of Tears"

When watching Korean dramas, there are many scenes featuring delicious Korean food. Have you been curious about what those dishes are? Especially in ‘Queen of Tears,’ there are many foods that Koreans commonly enjoy. Shall we taste the K-food in the drama together?

Abalone Guts Nutritional Rice Featured in “Queen of Tears”

The rice that Hyun-woo and Hae-in are eating in an officetel scene comes from a convenience store or supermarket. It’s a pre-cooked, packaged rice that can be heated in a microwave and eaten instantly.

The rice featured in the drama is CJ’s Hetban Pot Rice.

CJ’s Hetban Pot Rice comes in nine flavors: Abalone Guts Nutritional Rice, Honey Medicinal Rice, Gondre Potato Nutritional Rice, Beef Burdock Rice, Bulgogi Mushroom Nutritional Rice, Mushroom Nutritional Rice, Root Vegetable Nutritional Rice, Black Rice Sweet Chestnut Glutinous Rice, and Whole Grain Rice.

The rice Hae-in prepared for her husband in the drama is Abalone Guts Nutritional Rice. This rice is made by topping rice with abalone and its innards, a traditional Korean nutritional food. In Korea, plain rice is commonly eaten as a meal, but on special occasions or when special guests visit, people also eat such luxurious dishes as Abalone Guts Nutritional Rice. Abalone has long been considered a precious nutritional ingredient in Korea. This part of the drama reveals Hae-in’s care for her husband’s health.

Preparing traditional Abalone Innards Rice requires attention from buying the ingredients to using the rice cooker. That’s why it’s served only to special guests. Given that Hae-in comes from a wealthy family and might not be accustomed to cooking rice herself, it seems she chose the best among instant rice options.

Food in the Memorial Service in the “Queen of Tears”

In the drama “Tears of the Queen,” there is a scene where suddenly men gather in the kitchen of the mansion, wearing aprons and cooking. And”Dong-gerang-ddeng”is served on the dish.

Are they all chefs? Chefs hired for the mansion party?

No, they are all sons-in-law of the Queens Group. Their conversation is even more amusing. One son-in-law says that because he majored in chemistry at Harvard University, he can check whether the dishes are evenly cooked. Another son-in-law, a specialist in architecture from France, says he can skillfully stack the Dong-gerang-ddeng made on the plate technically. Then the protagonist, Kim Soo-hyun, also wearing an apron, carefully places vegetables on the plate and says, “What a waste of talent.”

As sons-in-law of the Queens Group, they all graduated from prestigious schools worldwide and have glamorous careers.

However, now that they have become sons-in-law of the Queens Group, they must follow the chairman’s order that every year, the memorial service must be conducted with food made by the men.

Moreover, the protagonist, Kim Soo-hyun, cannot attend even his father’s birthday party in the drama and prepares the memorial service food at his in-laws’ house. Furthermore, the sons-in-law preparing the memorial service food do not know whose memorial service it is for or even their names.

However, the Queens Group’s son does not prepare food but comes to the kitchen, picks up a Dong-gerang-ddeng, and teases the sons-in-law.

Then, what is the representative Korean food, “Dong-gerang-ddeng”?

It is a dish made by finely chopping pork, beef, and various vegetables, mixing them like meatballs, dipping them in egg, and frying them in a small flat shape on a frying pan. Koreans eat this dumpling dipped in soy sauce as a side dish with rice or as a snack with alcohol.

It is similar to Western meatballs but differs in taste and appearance. It contains much more vegetables, giving it a good texture and not feeling greasy. When dipped in soy sauce, the savory taste is enhanced, making it even more flavorful.

How To Make “Dong-gerang-ddeng”

Dong-gerang-ddeng, Queen of Tears — Don-gerang-ddeng

Making “Dong-gerang-ddeng” is very easy and simple.

First, prepare ground meat and finely chop various vegetables in the refrigerator. Season with soy sauce or salt and mix. Make small round and flat patties from the mixed patty and coat them with egg. Fry them in a greased frying pan until both sides are evenly browned.

That’s all. Ordinary Korean households make and eat it like this. However, there are many different versions according to preferences and regions.

Would you like to try making it after reading this? If you don’t have ingredients or find it difficult to make, there are also frozen Korean dumplings available in stores. Just prepare soy sauce and try eating them together.

A memorial service is a ritual in which Koreans commemorate their deceased ancestors. Various foods and drinks are prepared, an altar is set up, and the men of the household bow in front of it.

In essence, it is a gesture of respect and remembrance towards the ancestors, wishing for blessings to be bestowed upon themselves as well. From ancient times, Korea has valued etiquette, and it is a tradition to uphold courtesy to the deceased until the end.

Especially in dramas, prominent families like the Queens Group tend to emphasize such etiquette even more. That’s why you often see these scenes in dramas.

The food served at memorial services is usually limited to specific dishes, and it is believed that the spirits of the deceased come to eat and then depart. After the memorial service, it is traditional for the family to share these foods together.

It’s like a party for the living and the deceased.

Anyway, showing sincere respect to anyone is a good thing.

Abalone Guts Nutritional Rice Featured in “Queen of Tears”