Royal Feast in Downtown Seoul by  Hwang Hye Jung Photographs courtesy of Jihwaja Restaurant Since the airing of history drama “ Dae Jang Geum ” all over Asia in 2005, “Palace Cuisine”( Gung Jung Yiori ) became the buzzword in many countries, especially Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. Just the topic of Palace Cuisine alone has drawn flocks of tourists to Korea, particularly from Japan. Just what is “Palace Cuisine” and how does it actually taste? To find out, there are few higher authorities to turn to than the Jihwaja restaurant group, opened and run by the family of Hwang Hye Sung (1920-2006). Hwang Hye Sung, started her career as a culinary lecturer at Sook Myung Women’s University in the 1940’s. She learned her craft directly from Han Hui Soon, one of the last royal chefs of the Chosun Dynasty, and later facilitated the Korean government’s designation of Chosun Dynasty Royal Cuisine as “Intangible Cultural Asset of Korea #37.” In 1991 Hwang Hye Sung and ...

Han Bok-ryeo (pictures courtesy of Jihwaja) Since Hwang Hye Jung recently did a story on Korea's Intangible Human Cultural Heritage #38 earlier this week, I thought I should give you a bit of background on this woman and pictures. Bok-ryeo Han harkened the renaissance of Korea's Royal Court Cuisine through her work on the famous Korean drama, Daejanggum. It's her food that you see on the show. She is a selfless advocate of the tradition and she is the highest authority on royal court cuisine. Bok-Ryeo Han is the highest living authority on the Royal Court Cuisine Tradition. She was awarded the title of Korea’s Intangible Human Cultural Heritage #38, which means she is the only one who can certify court cuisine chefs and restaurants. Her mother learned from the last royal chef and passed the tradition to her. Sinsello: Royal Hot Pot(pictures courtesy of Jihwaja) MOTTO: “I revived the memory of royal court cuisine so the legacy will not be forgotten You can find he...