• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.64-76
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• 2015

This study investigated data on beef dietary consumption during the Joseon Dynasty Period, including "the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty", "the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat", and "Ilsongnok". Beef stands for superstitions as well as respect, broad-mindedness, exquisite culinary taste, and is a symbol of taste. In the historic record, we found two extremely opposite trends; specifically, Ugeum (牛禁, forbidding beef consumption and indulgence in beef). On the one hand, believing that they were the rudimentary foundation to Korea's agriculture, Joseon authorities tried to protect cows and bulls as valuable agricultural assets. Meanwhile, there were several officially sanctioned beef consumption events in the Joseon period. These included Jesu (祭需, food for ancestral rites), Daejup (待接, servings), Hasa (下賜, bestowment), and Hogue (犒饋, comforting soldiers with culinary methods). These included offerings to the departed spirits, servings, bestowment, and comforting soldiers with culinary methods. Especially in Joseon's Yeonhang (燕行) Journals, we can see different beef distributions and preferences between Japan and China. Furthermore, The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty even addressed the general issue of beef treatment; special methods for beef processing, beef distribution, tool materials, and prices of beef.