 |
I was traveling in Korea and came across this dish called Ottdak Baeksuk (옻닭백숙). At first, I thought those dark spiky sticks in the soup were just decorative branches. Turns out they’re actually lacquer tree branches (the same tree that can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions). Traditionally, the chicken is slow-cooked with the tree to make a rich herbal broth. Koreans believe it helps with stamina, recovery, and overall health, especially during hot summers. The funny thing is that while the raw tree can cause severe allergic reactions in some people, there’s a long tradition of cooking it in a way that many believe removes the harmful effects. As a foreigner, seeing literal thorn-covered branches floating in a chicken soup was definitely a “what am I looking at?” moment 😂 Would you try a soup made with a tree that’s technically known for causing allergic reactions? 🍲🇰🇷🌳 submitted by /u/alexwillbe1012 |
Korea has a chicken soup made with a poisonous tree… and people swear it’s healthy
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- Consumer prices hit 26-month high, fueling rate hike expectations
Korea’s consumer inflation accelerated to a 26-month high in May, driven by soaring oil prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, reinforcing market expectations that the Bank of Korea (BOK) could raise the base rate in July, market watchers said Tuesday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 3.1 percent last month from a year earlier, marking… Read more: Consumer prices hit 26-month high, fueling rate hike expectations - HanmiGlobal to host global summit on AI-driven future of project managementConstruction project management (PM) firm HanmiGlobal will host an international summit on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven innovation in the industry this month to mark its 30th anniversary. The company said that the summit, scheduled for June 19 at the POSCO Center in Seoul’s Gangnam District, will bring together global industry and academic experts to explore the evolving role and strategic shifts… Read more: HanmiGlobal to host global summit on AI-driven future of project management
- Korea declares yellow-throated marten endangered species as habitats shrinkTo glimpse a marten, known as”dambi” in Korean, moving through the misty ridges of the Baekdudaegan mountain range is to witness an exquisite contradiction. With its pale belly and striking collar of yellow fur, the creature resembles a plush toy brought to life. But beneath that cute exterior lies one of Korea’s most efficient and calculated apex predators, an agile… Read more: Korea declares yellow-throated marten endangered species as habitats shrink
- Korean struggles reflected in dueling renditions of Chekhov classicTwo versions of an unhappy uncle have drawn Korean theatergoers this May, as Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” arrived in Seoul in contrasting productions at two of the country’s best-known venues. The dueling “Uncle Vanya” productions opened weeks apart at LG Arts Center and the National Theater Company of Korea. The two stagings of the 19th-century Russian classic with television and… Read more: Korean struggles reflected in dueling renditions of Chekhov classic
- Whole foods vs. supplements: Which is better for nutrient intake?Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com Getting essential nutrients such as vitamins, iron, folate and dietary fiber from food rather than supplements is generally considered the better option, according to health experts. Foods contain not only individual nutrients but also a variety of bioactive compounds that work together to support one’s health. For example, oranges provide vitamin C along… Read more: Whole foods vs. supplements: Which is better for nutrient intake?
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
