Hoe (dish)
Encyclopedia
Hoe may refer to various raw food dishes in Korean cuisine
. Saengseon hoe (생선회) or "Hwal-eo hoe" (활어회) is thinly sliced raw fish or other raw seafood (similar to Japanese
sashimi
); yukhoe
(육회) is hoe made with a raw beef and seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil
, and rice wine; and gan hoe (간회) is raw beef liver
with a sauce of sesame oil and salt.
Fish hoe is usually dipped in a spicy gochujang
-based sauce called chogochujang (초고추장), ssamjang (쌈장), or wasabi
sauce, and wrapped in lettuce
and Korean perilla
leaves.
When people finish a meal of saengseon hoe at a restaurant, they sometimes order maeuntang (spicy fish stew, from the fish heads and remaining meat) together with various vegetables.
(57 BC-668 AD), facilitated by frequent interchanges between China and the Korean peninsula. According to the Confucian
Analects, written in the 1st century BC, Confucius
said "Do not shun rice that is well clean; do not shun kuai
that is thinly sliced" (食不厭精，膾不厭細). While the term kuai originally referred to finely sliced raw fish or other meats such as beef or lamb, since the Qin
and Han
Dynasties it has referred mainly to raw fish. However, since Buddhism flourished in Korea from the middle part of the period until the late Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), the killing of living beings was avoided, so that the habit of eating meat in general almost disappeared along with eating hoe. As the dominant influence of Buddhism fell off in the late Goryeo period, the consumption of hoe was revived. During the Joseon Dynasty
, the state highly regarded Confucianism
, and, as Confucius was known to have enjoyed eating raw meat, eating hoe was accepted without any resistance at that time.
On the other hand, the consumption of raw meat or seafood is rare in present day Chinese cuisine
apart from in a few regions, such as the Chaozhou dish yusheng
. A 20th century Taiwanese-Japanese historical novelist, Chin Shunshin
, speculates that the consumption of raw meat disappeared after an epidemic spread to the continent in the 11th century. In light of a poem composed by Mei Yaochen
, a leading poet of the Song Dynasty
, which depicts a host presenting kuai for waiting guests, it appears that the consumption of raw meat dishes was thriving until at least that time.
Cuisine of Korea
Korean cuisine originated from ancient prehistoric traditions in the Korean peninsula evolving through a complex interaction of environmental, political, and cultural trends....
. Saengseon hoe (생선회) or "Hwal-eo hoe" (활어회) is thinly sliced raw fish or other raw seafood (similar to Japanese
Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine has developed over the centuries as a result of many political and social changes throughout Japan. The cuisine eventually changed with the advent of the Medieval age which ushered in a shedding of elitism with the age of shogun rule...
sashimi
Sashimi
Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy. It consists of very fresh raw meat, most commonly fish, sliced into thin pieces.-Origin:The word sashimi means "pierced body", i.e...
); yukhoe
Yukhoe
Yukhoe refers to a variety of hoe , which are usually made from raw ground beef seasoned with various spices or sauces. It is basically a Korean steak tartare. Usually the most tender part of beef will be used...
(육회) is hoe made with a raw beef and seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil
Sesame oil
Sesame oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds. Besides being used as a cooking oil in South India, it is often used as a flavor enhancer in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and to a lesser extent Southeast Asian cuisine.The oil from the nutrient rich seed is popular in alternative...
, and rice wine; and gan hoe (간회) is raw beef liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
with a sauce of sesame oil and salt.
Fish hoe is usually dipped in a spicy gochujang
Gochujang
Gochujang is a savory and pungent fermented Korean condiment. Traditionally, it has been naturally fermented over years in large earthen pots outdoors, more often on an elevated stone platform, called jangdokdae in the backyard...
-based sauce called chogochujang (초고추장), ssamjang (쌈장), or wasabi
Wasabi
, also known as Japanese horseradish, is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which includes cabbages, horseradish, and mustard. Its root is used as a condiment and has an extremely strong flavor. Its hotness is more akin to that of a hot mustard rather than the capsaicin in a chili pepper,...
sauce, and wrapped in lettuce
Lettuce
Lettuce is a temperate annual or biennial plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable. It is eaten either raw, notably in salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, tacos, and many other dishes, or cooked, as in Chinese cuisine in which the stem becomes just as important...
and Korean perilla
Perilla
Perilla is the common name of the herbs of the genus Perilla of the mint family, Lamiaceae. In mild climates, the plant reseeds itself. There are both green-leafed and purple-leafed varieties, which are generally recognized as separate species by botanists. The leaves resemble stinging nettle...
leaves.
When people finish a meal of saengseon hoe at a restaurant, they sometimes order maeuntang (spicy fish stew, from the fish heads and remaining meat) together with various vegetables.
History
It can be assumed that the tradition of eating hoe was introduced from China to Korea during the early Three Kingdoms PeriodThree Kingdoms of Korea
The Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium...
(57 BC-668 AD), facilitated by frequent interchanges between China and the Korean peninsula. According to the Confucian
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
Analects, written in the 1st century BC, Confucius
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
said "Do not shun rice that is well clean; do not shun kuai
Kuai (dish)
Kuai is an Chinese dish consisting of finely cut strips of raw fish or meat, which is popular and commonly eaten in the early history and dynastic times of China...
that is thinly sliced" (食不厭精，膾不厭細). While the term kuai originally referred to finely sliced raw fish or other meats such as beef or lamb, since the Qin
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
and Han
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
Dynasties it has referred mainly to raw fish. However, since Buddhism flourished in Korea from the middle part of the period until the late Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), the killing of living beings was avoided, so that the habit of eating meat in general almost disappeared along with eating hoe. As the dominant influence of Buddhism fell off in the late Goryeo period, the consumption of hoe was revived. During the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
, the state highly regarded Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
, and, as Confucius was known to have enjoyed eating raw meat, eating hoe was accepted without any resistance at that time.
On the other hand, the consumption of raw meat or seafood is rare in present day Chinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine is any of several styles originating in the regions of China, some of which have become highly popular in other parts of the world – from Asia to the Americas, Australia, Western Europe and Southern Africa...
apart from in a few regions, such as the Chaozhou dish yusheng
Yusheng
Yusheng, yee sang or yuu sahng , or Prosperity Toss, also known as lo hei is a Teochew-style raw fish salad. It usually consists of strips of raw fish , mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients...
. A 20th century Taiwanese-Japanese historical novelist, Chin Shunshin
Chin Shunshin
is a Taiwanese-Japanese novelist, translator and cultural critic. He is best known for his historical fictions and mystery novels, including First Opium War, Chinese History, Ryukyu Wind.-Major works:*Roots of Dried Grass...
, speculates that the consumption of raw meat disappeared after an epidemic spread to the continent in the 11th century. In light of a poem composed by Mei Yaochen
Mei Yaochen
Mei Yaochen was a poet of the Song dynasty. He was one of the pioneers of the "new subjective" style of poetry which characterized Song poetry....
, a leading poet of the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, which depicts a host presenting kuai for waiting guests, it appears that the consumption of raw meat dishes was thriving until at least that time.
See also
- YukhoeYukhoeYukhoe refers to a variety of hoe , which are usually made from raw ground beef seasoned with various spices or sauces. It is basically a Korean steak tartare. Usually the most tender part of beef will be used...
- SannakjiSannakjiSannakji or sannakji hoe is a variety of hoe, or raw dish, in Korean cuisine. It consists of live nakji that has been cut into small pieces and served immediately, usually lightly seasoned with sesame and sesame oil. The nakji pieces are usually still squirming on the plate...
- HoedeopbapHoedeopbapHoedeopbap is a Korean dish consisting of steamed rice mixed with sliced or cubed saengseon hoe , various vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber and sesame leaves, sesame oil, and chogochujang...
- Maeuntang
- Korean cuisine
- KuaiKuai (dish)Kuai is an Chinese dish consisting of finely cut strips of raw fish or meat, which is popular and commonly eaten in the early history and dynastic times of China...
- NamasuNamasuis a Japanese dish consisting of thinly sliced uncooked vegetables and seafood, marinated in rice vinegar for several hours, pickling them slightly. Namasu was brought to Japan from China during the Nara period ....
- SashimiSashimiSashimi is a Japanese delicacy. It consists of very fresh raw meat, most commonly fish, sliced into thin pieces.-Origin:The word sashimi means "pierced body", i.e...
- YushengYushengYusheng, yee sang or yuu sahng , or Prosperity Toss, also known as lo hei is a Teochew-style raw fish salad. It usually consists of strips of raw fish , mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients...