Q: Do you have fond memories from celebrating holidays in Korea?
A: I think the experience of Seollal (Lunar New Year) is so fun. When I celebrated Seollal last year, all my Korean friends’ families got together, and the children received money. I sent New Year wishes for a Korean family and received money from them. On New Year’s Day in Uzbekistan, we also wish each other New Year and receive money, and the children stack their received money and compare who has more.

Q: Have you tried traditional Korean food?
A: I ate tteokguk (rice cake soup) on Seollal, which was very delicious. Also, one time when I had a meal, there were many side dishes. I think it was because all my friends’ families gathered. When I had not been in Korea for long, I went to the Jeonju Hanok Village and ate Jeonju bibimbap (rice bowl with beef and vegetables) and sikhye (rice punch) which were so delicious. But yakkwa (traditional cookie) was not my preference.

Q: Is there any traditional holiday food in Uzbekistan?
A: In our country, we don’t have traditional holiday food like tteokguk on Seollal and songpyeon (half-moon shape rice cakes) on Chuseok. We just eat beef or our traditional food pilaf on holidays. But some people buy beef or lamb to share with poor people and they cook and eat leftover beef.

By Bae Mun-seong, Editor