Happy Lunar New Year, also known as Seol-na in South Korea

In Korea, Lunar New Year is a time of celebration, renewal, and a time to gather as family to honor elders and ancestors.

2010 is the Year of the Tiger, which begins today and ends on February 2, 2011. The tiger is a symbol for bravery.

Koreans focus on family as they celebrate the beginning of the New Year. Children put on new traditional clothes called hanboks. Gifts are sometimes exchanged, as well as good wishes. Rice cake soup is often served to celebrate the new year. The soup is made by diagonally slicing rice cakes into thin, round slices. The rice cake slices are soaked in water, then boiled in beef broth. The soup is garnished with chives, seaweed, and egg. Visit Maangchi's recipe site for the recipe and pictures of rice cake soup.

Happy Lunar New Year!