Hello—today happens to be my birthday, and I am the editor writing this piece.
As I thought about what story to share on such a special day, one dish immediately came to mind: miyeok-guk, an essential part of the Korean birthday table.
At the heart of every Korean birthday is always a bowl of miyeok-guk. A steaming bowl of this soup goes beyond nourishment—it carries heartfelt wishes celebrating a new beginning and honoring a mother’s love.
On my birthday, I invite you to explore the deeper story behind miyeok-guk.
The tradition of eating miyeok-guk on birthdays is believed to date back to the Goryeo Dynasty.
According to legend, people observed mother whales eating seaweed after giving birth to recover their strength.
Inspired by this, ancestors began feeding seaweed to postpartum women.
Through experience, they learned that seaweed greatly aided recovery, helping restore energy and promote breast milk production, and thus miyeok-guk became a staple food for new mothers.
Over time, this practice evolved into a birthday tradition.
Just as a mother ate miyeok-guk to recover after giving birth, children eat miyeok-guk on their birthdays to express gratitude for their mother’s sacrifice and to wish for health and growth in the year ahead.
In this way, miyeok-guk became a uniquely Korean cultural symbol—one that remembers and honors maternal love.
miyyok is especially recommended for pregnant and nursing women because of its exceptional nutritional profile.
Often called “the vegetable of the sea,” it is rich in minerals and vitamins. Its high iodine content supports thyroid hormone production, which is crucial for fetal brain development and growth.
Calcium helps maintain maternal bone health and supports the baby’s skeletal formation, while iron helps prevent anemia during pregnancy.
Seaweed also contains alginic acid, a natural fiber that helps remove heavy metals and toxins from the body, supports digestion, and prevents constipation.
Additionally, it aids uterine contraction and blood circulation after childbirth.
Thanks to these properties, miyeok-guk has long been regarded as a natural restorative food and an ideal ingredient for postpartum recovery.
While seaweed is the foundation of miyeok-guk, the choice of additional ingredients creates countless flavor variations.
The most common version, beef miyeok-guk, is made by stir-frying beef and soaked seaweed in sesame oil, producing a deep, savory broth that makes for a satisfying meal.
The umami-rich beef pairs beautifully with the clean, oceanic flavor of seaweed, making it one of the most beloved combinations in Korean cuisine.
For those who prefer a stronger taste of the sea, mussel miyeok-guk or abalone miyeok-guk are excellent choices.
Mussels add a refreshing, clean depth, while abalone contributes a firm texture and refined umami, making it ideal for special occasions.
Clams or oysters are also commonly used, each adding their own distinct character to the soup.
Modern adaptations continue to expand miyeok-guk’s possibilities.
Tuna miyeok-guk, made with canned tuna, offers convenience along with a rich, savory flavor. Bone-broth miyeok-guk, simmered in beef bone stock, delivers a deeper, more robust taste and is often associated with restoring energy and supporting bone health.
For those focused on diet and wellness, chicken breast miyeok-guk provides a low-calorie, high-protein alternative with a clean, comforting broth. Through these variations, miyeok-guk continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.
Personally, I love miyeok-guk so much that I cook it even when it isn’t my birthday.
To be honest, what I enjoy most isn’t just the soup itself, but the seaweed(Miyeok) inside it.
I love the tender, silky strands of miyeok so much that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I eat miyeok-guk mainly for the seaweed.
On days like today, when icy winds blow and temperatures drop to minus seven degrees Celsius, a warm bowl of miyeok-guk feels especially comforting.
With each sip of its savory broth and each bite of tender seaweed and protein-rich ingredients, the chill slowly melts away.
Miyeok-guk is not merely food—it is a living heritage that carries Korean emotion and culture. It celebrates birthdays, blesses new life, and offers quiet comfort on difficult days.
Even if today isn’t your birthday, on a cold day like this, I hope a bowl of miyeok-guk warms both your body and heart—and fills your day with health and happiness.
