Korean Sugar 한국 설탕

White Sugar, Light Brown Sugar, Dark Brown Sugar

Sugar (also called Table Sugar) is a sweet, white crystalline or powdered substance extracted from sugar cane and sugar beet; it is used especially as a sweetening agent in food and drinks. When it comes to baking, sugar is one of the most important ingredients we use.

There are many different types of sugar. Some of these are used only by food industries and professional bakers and are not available in supermarkets. The types of granulated sugars differ in crystal size. Each crystal size provides unique functional characteristics that make the sugar appropriate for a specific food’s special need.

Here in Korea, you can find different kinds of sugar. But there are mainly two major types in the market -- “Regular” or White Sugar and Brown Sugar.

“Regular” or White Sugar, as it is known to consumers, is the sugar found in every home’s cupboard, and most commonly used in sweetening our morning cup of coffee, baking, and home food preparations. It is the sugar called for in most cookbook recipes. White sugar has had all of the naturally present molasses refined out. The fine crystals in white sugar are ideal for bulk handling and not susceptible to caking. So it is perfect for measuring, sprinkling onto food, and dissolving into drinks.

Brown sugar has a pleasurable flavor. The two types of brown sugar, Light and Dark, refer to the amount of molasses that is present. Dark Brown Sugar has a deeper color and stronger, rich full flavor than Light Brown Sugar.

The lighter types are generally used in baking, sauces and glazes, and in making butterscotch; while the darker types make it good for richer foods, like gingerbread, and other full-flavored foods.

White Sugar & Brown Sugar

Aside from the two main sugars, there's also Confectioners or Powdered Sugar, Muscovado or Barbados Sugar, and Liquid Sugar or Sugar Syrup, which can also be found at Korean supermarkets or groceries.

Confectioners or Powdered Sugar is a granulated sugar grounded to a smooth powder and then sifted. It contains about 3% cornstarch to prevent caking. Powdered sugar is ground into three different degrees of fineness. The confectioners sugar available in supermarkets is the finest of the three and is used in icings, confections, and whipping cream. The other two types of powdered sugar are used by industrial bakers.

Muscovado Sugar or Barbados Sugar is a British specialty brown sugar. It is very dark brown and has a particularly strong molasses flavor. The crystals are slightly coarser and stickier in texture than the brown sugar.

Liquid Sugar or Sugar Syrup is a white granulated sugar that has been dissolved in water before it is used. This type of sugar is often used in various Korean dishes, whose recipes require sweeteners or sugar to be dissolved.

Korean Soy Sauce 한국 간장

Soy sauce (also called Soya Sauce) is one of the oldest condiments in the world. It is made from a fermented paste of boiled soybeans, wheat mixed with brine, and Aspergillus molds. Soy sauce is a traditional ingredient in East and Southeast Asian cuisines.

Most varieties of soy sauce are salty, earthy, brownish liquids intended to season food while cooking or as a condiment. There are many kinds of soy sauce, and they vary through different methods and durations of fermentation, different ratios of water, salt, and fermented soy, or through the addition of other ingredients.

Here in Korea, you can find different kinds of soy sauce. But there are mainly two major types in the market; and they are categorized by use -- Regular Soy Sauce 진간장 (Jin-Gan-Jang) and Soup Soy Sauce 국간장 (Guk-Gan-Jang).

The Regular Soy Sauce is widely use in Korea; while Soup Soy Sauce is distinctive to Korean cuisine. It is naturally brewed from soy for a very long period of time and is mainly use for soups and side dishes, where salt alone can not give the deep flavor. They are saltier than the regular soy sauce, translucent and lighter in color, thus they don’t affect the overall color of the broth.

Regular Soy Sauce, however, is a blended soy sauce, mixed with naturally brewed and is chemically processed, with a short fermentation period of 3-7 days; It is dark and cloudier in color, less salty, and a little sweet. 

Aside from the two main soy sauces, there’s also Tasty Soy Sauce 맛간장 (Mat-Gan-Jang), Low-Salt Soy Sauce 저염간장 (Jeo-yum-Gan-Jang), Brewed Soy Sauce 양조간장 (Yang-Jo-Gan-Jang), and Braising Soy Sauce 조림간장 (Jo-Rim-Gan-Jang); which are all use in various Korean dishes.

Tasty Soy Sauce, is made by boiling regular soy sauce, with the addition of other flavorful ingredients (garlic, lemon, sugar, rice wine, kelp, or mushrooms).

Low-Salt Soy Sauce, as the name implies, is low in salt. So, it's a healthier option to cut down the sodium.

Brewed Soy Sauce is a good quality soy sauce. It is naturally brewed from soy, about 6-month fermentation process.

Braising Soy Sauce is darker, and is usually use in recipes which calls for braising or simmering vegetables or meats in thick soup or sauces. It is mostly tempered with some water or other liquids, such as anchovy or kelp stock when cooking. Rice wine and vinegar, and red pepper flakes or fermented chilies are usually added with the jorim soy sauce in a recipe, depending on the main ingredient.

Below are some facts about Regular Soy Sauce and Soup Soy Sauce:

(photo grabbed from CrazyKoreanCooking.com)

Personally, I stock our kitchen cupboard up with different kinds of soy sauce because most recipes don’t specify the type of soy sauce to use, and they can vary wildly in flavor, texture, and appearance. But I always have both the regular and soup soy sauce on hand.

Some Koreans mix soy sauce with rice and a bit of butter for a quick breakfast.

If I don't have time to cook, I too, make this sometimes for my husband. But instead of the typical soy sauce-rice-butter recipe, I mix soy sauce with rice and sunny-side-up egg, splash a hint of sesame oil, and sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds. It's really good!^^

Gwangmyeong Market 광명시장

Gwangmyeong Market

Series of stores inside Gwangmyeong Market, selling almost anything...

Gwangmyeong Market is located in Gyeonggi Province in Korea. It is their most famous major traditional market, and contains over 350 stores, selling anything from shoes and clothings, toiletries, and various household items, to fresh seafoods, meats, grains, and other produce and staple crops. Familiar Korean snack stalls are also everywhere. Yes! stores, shops, and food stalls are mixed into together randomly. A bit of a crowded place, but pleasant and convenient place to visit, and see what they are selling... especially food~!!!^^

Grains and other produce~

Well-priced Fresh vegetables... 1,000~2,000원.

purple onions, yellow onions, carrots, potatoes, sesame leaves, garlic stems, leeks, purple radish, etc.

Fresh fruits at a cheaper price... 1,000~3,000원.

A shop selling a wide range of cheap, fresh seafoods and shellfish.

A snack stall of tasty assorted Bindaetteok 빈대떡 (Mung Bean Pancakes)

and assorted PaJeon 파전 (Green Onion Pancakes).

The Bindaetteok 빈대떡 is a bit pricey (3,000~8,000원), and a PaJeon 파전 costs 4,000~7,000원. But they are quite big and really taste great!^^ This Bindeatteok Ajumma has been making and selling these delicious traditional snacks for over 20 years now.^^

Wow!! A bowl of warm Janchi Guksu 잔치국수 (Feast Noodles) for only 1,000원~^^

Jjajangmyun 짜장면 (Noodles in Black Bean Sauce) costs only 2,000원 per serving.

Ready-to-Cook BudaeJjigae 부대찌개 (Army Stew)~^^

This BudaeJjigae Ajussi ran a restaurant for more than 10 years till he decided to sell his delicious army stew recipe in a food cart.

Delicious TteokGalbi 떡갈비... yum!

JokBal 족발 (Pig's Feet) cooked in soy sauce and spices...

A stall of freshly made Buns and Breads 빵.

More display of delicious breads...

Various Banchan 반찬 (Side Dishes)

More display of Banchan 반찬 (Side Dishes)~

An array of various colorful Rice Cakes 떡~

Delicious bite-sized DakGangJung 닭강정 (Fried, Candied Chicken)~ yum!!

Eomuk 어묵 (Fish Cakes)... so cheap and so yummy!

The spicy ones are definitely a must-try~ they're the best!^^

There are tons of stores and mini shops, and Korean food stalls and options inside for a bite to eat. Ultimately, it has something for everybody, and you will realize this when visiting here. A diverse amount of people travel far and wide, to come together here in Gwangmyeong Market. It's all part of its lore. If you go, you are bound to find a treasure or two here.^^

Directions:

Take Seoul Subway Line 7 to Gwangmyeong Sageori Station. Then take a left out of Exit 10, walk straight, and the market entrance will be 50m ahead on your left.

Address:

3-5 Gwangi-ro, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do

Phone Number:

+82-2-2614-0006 / +82-2-2680-6603

http://me2.do/FegHmDkR

(Korean) E-Pantries for Herbs and Spices, and Foreign Products

Here’s a few list of online merchants of (hand-selected or hand-prepared) spices, herbs, and seasonings, and imported goods, including groceries, supplements, toiletries, baking and cooking ingredients, and natural and organic products.

Visit their websites! Surely, you can browse for highest quality spices, herbs, and seasonings at a fair price in customer-friendly quantities, and many other unique and hard-to-find items from other countries at a cheaper price.

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Spice World 스파이스월드

Spice World 스파이스월드
Address:
서울시 송파구 가락동  600 가락시장 직판동 다- 104호
Telephone:
02-6417-2233
Website:
www.spworld.co.kr

Spice World offers (Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Western, and Southeast Asian) Cooking Ingredients, Beverages, Processed Foods, Frozen and Dried Goods, Condiments and Seasonings, Sauces, Herbs and Spices, Meats, Seafoods, Fruits and Vegetables, Nuts, Grains, and other Produce and Staples.

 

A vast array of Spices and Sauces displayed at their store in Garak Market.

Some Indian spices I bought from their online shop~

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YORICOME

YORICOME

Address:

사업장소재지 : 경기도 고양시 일산동구 장항동 520-11

Telephone:

031-819-3803~5

Website:

www.yoricome.com

Yoricome offers (Italian, and Asian) Cooking Ingredients, Baking Ingredients, Processed Foods and Frozen Goods, Condiments and Seasonings, Sauces, Dressings, Herbs and Spices, Cheese and Dairy, Coffee, Tea, Beverages and Snacks, and a few Kitchen Tools for Cooking and Baking.

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Herbi Shopping Mall 허브아이 쇼핑몰

Herbi Shopping Mall 허브아이 쇼핑몰

Address:

서울시 송파 문정동 63-3

Telephone:

02-448-3825

Website:

www.herbi.co.kr

Herbi offers Fresh and Dried Herbs, Edible Flowers, some Potted Plants, and a few Home Gardening Tools.

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GreenFarm 그린팜

GreenFarm 그린팜

Address:

138-138 서울 송파구 가락동 600번지 직판시장라동 247호

Telephone:

02-409-3426

Website:

www.grfarm.co.kr

GreenFarm offers Fresh Vegetables and Fruits, Fresh Herbs, Edible Flowers, Assorted Fresh Mushrooms, and Salad Greens.

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Otth 오트

Otth 오트

Address:

경기 고양시 일산서구 원일로 123 (일산동)

Telephone:

080-026-0026

Website:

www.otth.co.kr

Otth offers (Italian, Southeast Asian, Japanese, and Chinese) Cooking Ingredients, Baking Ingredients, Processed Foods, Frozen and Dried Goods, Condiments and Seasonings, Sauces, Herbs and Spices, Coffee, Tea, Beverages and Snacks, Baking and Cooking Kitchen Tools, Confectionery Deco and Packaging Items, Party Tools, and a few Toiletries.

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37 Mart 37마트

37 Mart 37마트

Address:

부산광역시 부산진구 부암123-11

Telephone:

070-8666-3592

Website:

www.37mart.com

37Mart offers (Imported) Processed Foods and Frozen Goods, Dried Fruits and Nuts, Jams and Syrups, Condiments and Seasonings, Sauces, Dressings, Herbs and Spices, Cocoa, Coffee, Tea, Beverages and Snacks, Noodles, and a few Toiletries.

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Euro Food Mall 유로푸드몰

Euro Food Mall 유로푸드몰

Address:

서울득별 서초구 서초대 8길 3

Telephone:

02-533-5420

Website:

www.eurofood.co.kr

Eurofood offers (Italian, and European) Cooking Ingredients, Processed Foods and Frozen Goods, Seafood Preserves, Condiments and Seasonings, Sauces, Dressings, Herbs and Spices, Fruits and Vegetable Conserves, Pasta, Cheese and Dairy, Tea, Beverages and Snacks.

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iHerb

iHerb also ships to Korea via CJ Korea Express or via Direct Korean Postal

(Purchased items are delivered within 5-7 business days)

Address:

iHerb Main Office

17825 Indian Street, Moreno Valley, CA 92551 USA

Telephone:

951-616-3600

Website:

www.iherb.com

iHerb offers Western products; Food Supplements (Vitamins and Minerals, Weight Loss, Probiotics, Antioxidants, etc.), Herbal and Organic Products, Kids' and Baby's Needs, Pet's Needs, some Groceries (Tea, Dried Fruits, Snacks, Spices and Seasonings, Jams and Spreads, etc.) Toiletries (Bath, Beauty, and Skin Care), Kitchenwares, and other various Household items.

A few products I've purchased from iherb.com~

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HealthDesigns

Health Designs also ships to Korea via Korea post

(Purchased items are delivered within 5-7 business days)

Address:

21412 Protecta Dr.

Elkhart, IN 46516 USA

Telephone:

1-888-885-4425

Website:

www.healthdesigns.com

HealthDesigns offers Western products; Food Supplements (Vitamins and Minerals, Weight Loss, Probiotics, Antioxidants, etc.), Herbal and Organic Products, Kids' and Baby's Needs, Pet's Needs, some Food and Groceries (Tea, Dried Fruits, Snacks, Jams and Spreads, etc.) Toiletries (Bath, Beauty, and Skin Care), and other various Household items.

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HerbsPro

HerbsPro also ships to Korea via Korea post

(Purchased items are delivered within 5-7 business days)

They ship their products fresh, and direct to you from their own state-of-the-art warehouse.

Telephone:

1-866-915-5300

Website:

www.herbspro.com

HerbsPro sell top brand nutritional supplements, vitamins, cosmetics, pet care products, groceries, household items, and many other extensive selection of top national brands at the lowest prices, guaranteed!

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DaisoMall 다이소몰

DaisoMall 다이소몰

Address:

서울시 강남 도곡로 176 도곡동

Telephone:

02-405-0700

Website:

www.daisomall.co.kr

DaisoMall offers a wide-ranging product line-up; high-quality products that are recognized not only in Japan, but all around the world; and at low prices! They have almost everything... Kitchen products, Living wares,  Personal Items, Cultural Items, Office wares and Stationeries, Interior Products, Beauty Products, etc.

Hello Kitty bento items I bought from Daiso online~

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Hisya

Hisya

Korea Address:

136-767 서울특별시 성북구 보국문로 30길 15 정릉대우APT 103-604

Telephone:

070-7623-9915

Website:

www.hisya.com

Japan Address:

363 Kamichou - Oume City

Tokyo, Japan

Telephone:

8180-2166-1392

Hisya sells Japanese Nissin Cup Noodles (Soy, Curry, Seafood, Cheese Curry, Tomato Chili flavors), Cup Noodles Set, Mini/Big, Light Cup Noodles, and Curry Mixes.

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More websites:

Maniker Mall 마니커몰

Maniker Mall 마니커몰

Address:

경기도 용인시 기흥구 용구대로 2219번길3

Telephone:

080-617-3000 고객센터

Website:

www.manikermall.net

Maniker Mall offers Fresh and Frozen Meats (Chicken, Pork, Beef, Duck), Fresh Eggs, Rice Grains, and a few Processed Foods, and Sauces.

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