Songpyeon: The crescent-shaped soul of Korean culture
Date Sep 09, 2024
Songpyeon is a favorite Chuseok treat. (Photo courtesy of the Korea Tourism Organization’s Photo Korea portal - Toraii Republic)
When Koreans celebrate Chuseok, which falls on September 17 this year, iconic songpyeon (half-moon rice cake) take center stage on their dining tables.
This sweet delicacy embodies Korea’s rich cultural heritage and regional diversity, with deep roots in history and tradition. Songpyeon is a testament to the intricate relationship between Korean food, culture and national identity.
Crafted with care, songpyeon is made from finely ground nonglutinous rice flour, kneaded into a soft dough and filled with ingredients like sesame seeds and oil (representing fertility), red beans (protection from evil spirits) or chestnuts (strength and perseverance). The filled dough is shaped into the characteristic crescents, a process requiring skill and patience. One distinctive aspect of songpyeon preparation is the use of pine needles during steaming, which infuses the rice cakes with an aromatic fragrance and symbolizes longevity, virtue and steadfastness.
The preparation of songpyeon is a cherished family activity during Chuseok, which falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (corresponding to a date between mid-September to mid-October on the solar calendar). Generations come together, with elders passing down techniques and family recipes. This communal aspect serves as a powerful bonding experience, reinforcing family ties and ensuring the continuation of cultural practices. It’s common to see three or four generations working side by side, sharing stories and laughter as they create these beautiful treats.
Songpyeon's filling varies depending on the region it is made in. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)
What truly sets songpyeon apart is its unique crescent shape, which contrasts with the round mooncakes of China and the spherical tsukimi dango of Japan. This shape is rooted in Korean history and legend. In June 656, King Uija of the Baekje Kingdom (18 BCE-660 CE) encountered a ghostly light that foretold his kingdom’s downfall. Investigating, he found a turtle shell inscribed with the prophecy “Baekje is a full moon, Silla a crescent” (referring to a rival kingdom that endured from 57 BCE to 935 CE). Interpreters predicted Baekje’s decline and Silla’s rise. This tale spread to Silla, where people began making crescent-shaped rice cakes, praying for their kingdom’s prosperity. These cakes are said to be the origin of songpyeon.
The crescent-shaped cakes’ symbolic meaning has been passed down for centuries, so they serve to connect modern Koreans with their ancestors. While the Chinese and Japanese equivalents celebrate completeness, the half-moon shape of songpyeon expresses both the acknowledgement of current circumstances and the expectation of growth and better days ahead.
The half-moon shape of songpyeon symbolizes growth and development. (Photo courtesy of the Korea Tourism Organization’s Photo Korea portal - Toraii Republic)
Regional variations of songpyeon highlight Korea’s cultural diversity. Seoul offers osaek (five color) songpyeon, which represent natural elements. People in the Gyeongsang-do provinces use arrowroot to make chik songpyeon, a larger variety with a unique flavor and aroma. The hobak songpyeon of the Chungcheong-do provinces incorporates pumpkin, while Gangwon-do’s gamja songpyeon has a distinctive chewy texture thanks to the inclusion of locally grown potatoes.
Songpyeon is a meaningful food that brings families together. (Photo courtesy of ImageToday, Getty Images)
The Jeolla-do provinces, known for their rich culinary heritage, produce mosi songpyeon, which stays soft longer due to the addition of ramie leaves. Jejudo’s wandukong songpyeon differs completely from the half-moon varieties on the mainland: It’s flat and round like a flying saucer and filled with sweetened beans or peas. This may have to do with the island’s historical connections with cultures beyond the Korean Peninsula.
Each type of songpyeon reflects not only local ingredients and preferences but also tells a story of its region’s history, environment and way of life. From Seoul’s metropolitan energy to Jejudo’s serene fields, songpyeon serves as a delicious reminder of the Korean people’s deep connection to their land, ancestors and neighbors. As families gather to celebrate Chuseok, the making and sharing of songpyeon serves to preserve these connections.
Songpyeon is far more than just a festive treat. It is a powerful symbol of Korea’s rich cultural tapestry, a dish lovingly passed down through countless generations. Each bite carries the history, traditions and hopes of a people who have faced numerous challenges yet always look to the future with optimism. If you savor the delicate flavors of songpyeon this Chuseok, remember that the crescent-shaped rice cake is so much more than just a holiday treat – it’s a piece of living history, a testament to the enduring spirit of Korea and a bridge connecting past, present and future generations.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Korea Here & Now" work can be used under the condition of "Public Nuri Type 1 (Source Indication)."