Bungeoppang, a golden carp cake with sweet red bean filling, once an unforgettable symbol of Korean winter, is now gradually disappearing from the streets.
According to the Korean Times, this decline is really unfortunate, because bungeoppang is not only a snack but also a part of the childhood memories of many generations of Koreans. We all eagerly wait for winter to come to enjoy the hot, crispy cake, with a golden crust and fragrant red bean paste.
Korean winter seems to be incomplete as bungeoppang - a golden, crispy carp cake, a symbol of the cold season - is becoming increasingly scarce.
From a popular, common dish that cost only 100 won each in the 1990s, bungeoppang has now become rare and costs 10 times more. In addition, the high cost of raw materials has also caused difficulties for many small retailers. All these factors have contributed to the decline in the popularity of bungeoppang, leaving many people with regrets.
In fact, street vendors have faced a huge challenge as the prices of key ingredients for making bungeoppang have skyrocketed this year. Red beans, which are an essential ingredient of the dish, have been hit hard by natural disasters such as floods and droughts that occurred in the summer.
The gradual disappearance of this type of cake is not only a loss for Korean street food but also raises many questions about the change of culinary culture.
According to statistics, the price of red beans has skyrocketed to 264,000 won per 40kg, 52% higher than the same period last year. This means that the cost of producing bungeoppang has increased significantly, putting many small retailers in a difficult situation.
These price hikes have caused bungeoppang to lose its 100 won (about 1,800 VND) anchor. Most vendors now sell the cakes for 1,000 won (about 18,000 VND) each or 3 for 2,000 won (about 36,000 VND). Some other varieties with cream filling instead of red bean will cost a bit more, falling to around 2,000 won per cake.
Traditional Korean dishes famous for generations
Koreans’ bungeoppang eating habits are gradually changing. While in the past people often bought hot cakes from street vendors, nowadays many people choose to buy frozen bungeoppang to make at home.
The change of times gradually causes the loss of traditional values that preserve many memories.
The convenience of frozen products has attracted a large number of customers, especially young people. According to the Korean Times, many people have been surprised by the rapid development of the frozen bungeoppang market and are not afraid to try new flavors.
Enjoying a hot bungeoppang on the side of the road on a cold winter day always brings special feelings that no industrial product can replace. Each traditional dish carries within it a story, a memory and a part of the country's soul. The gradual disappearance of bungeoppang is a wake-up call about the importance of preserving traditional culinary cultural values in Korea.
