By PRISCILLA OSAJE

Six Nigerian youths on Thursday participated in preparing Tteokbokki and Japchae’ Korean dishes in the cooking event organised by the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) in Abuja.

The cooking whichh is targeted at 16 Nigerian youths, is aimed at preparing the skillful Nigerian youths for the upcoming Korea cooking competition.

The participants demonstrated their zeal and enthusiasm, as they prepared two nutritious delicacies of Korea cultural dishes known as ‘Tteokbokki and Japchae’.

The Ingredients for the Tteokbokki recipe with its nutritional value were; Tteokbokki rice cake, fish cake, cabbage, onion, green onion and carrot.

Others are garlic, sesame seeds, water, Gochujang, Gochugaru (chill powder), say sauce, sugar, starch syrup and sesame oil.

The ingredients for Japchae were Beef (Rump), cucumber, salt water, onion, carrots, dried Shiitake mushrooms, glass noodles, egg, salt and cooking oil.

The occasion not only provided a platform for the participants to raise their creativity, but also helped them to explore their hidden talents and discover new areas of interest as regards Korean cuisine.

Ms Ella Ola, a participant, said she had always loved Korean dishes, but learning how to prepare Tteokbokki and Japchae dishes was an interesting experience.

“It is not about loving Korean dishes, but knowing how to prepare them. It is now easy for me to prepare anything I feel like eating.

“I really appreciate KCCN for the great opportunity given to me to learn, because learning outside KCCN will cost much,” she said.

Another participant, Ms Nike Juir, said learning how to prepare Tteokbokki and Japchae recipes was so wonderful and exciting.

“How to prepare both recipes has always been in my mind, when we were told about preparing it, I was so excited because I longed to taste it.

“We went through the process, made the dishes, but to my greatest surprise, they both tasted good,” she said.

Juir commended the KCCN for bringing their cultural centre to Abuja for Nigerians, as well as their numerous activities that gave Nigerians the opportunity to showcase their talents.

“I will try and include people as much as possible because it is an extracurricular activity that gives one the opportunity to learn more about Korean culture,” she said.

Ms Bassey Inyang, a participant, thanked the organisers for the opportunity to learn how to prepare Korean dishes.

According to her, she was reluctant about the whole thing, until she was persuaded by a friend.

“Though I am familiar with a bit of French and Chinese languages, I came to realise that you cannot understand people completely until you understand their culture.

“I love being exposed to people`s culture such as their food, hair style, dressing among others and I am grateful for this experience.

“I appreciate KCCN for their show of love for Nigerians, I hope to continue my Taekwondo training as I learn more about them,” she added.

Ms Lee Hyerim, KCCN Culture Event Officer, said Hansik (Korean food) cooking class was organised to prepare the participants’ minds towards the grande finale of the 2024 Korea cooking contest slated for August.

Hyerim commended the participants for doing their best to ensure that they learn more about Korean culture as regards to their food.

“The participants tried their best in preparing Tteokbokki and Japchae recipes. If I am honest, what they prepared tasted similar to what I normally eat in Korea,” she said.

Also speaking, Ms Habiba Yakubu, Culture and Event Officer of KCCN, said the aim of the event was to expose Nigerians to the culture of ‘Jang’.

According to her, the culture of ‘Jang’ is talking about the Korean sauce like Gochujang, kanjang, cheonggukjang, among others, that were used during the cooking class.

She further said that the cooking class would help to expose more Nigerians to Korean dishes in order to participate fully in the upcoming competition.

“Learning about how to prepare Korean dishes, getting the sauces which seem expensive and real will enable participants to practice at home.

“The competition is structured in a way that the participants will first submit online and they will be offline as well,” she said.

Yakubu commended Nigerians for their efforts in trying to learn about Korea, as well as achieving their desire no matter what it takes.

“I have been the instructor of the class, so far, it gladdens my heart to see Nigerians putting their hearts into something in spite of it being their first time.

“I love the way they were open by trying to make the dishes, they were not no doubtful but wanted to see how it goes.

“They were asking how it works, but my happiness was to see them participate and then the aftermath of being open to the trier.

“I am just seeing what the aftermath will look like, frankly speaking, I am amazed with the willingness of Nigerian youths to participate in the cooking programme,” she added. (NAN)

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