Like the foundational role of butter in French cooking or olive oil in Italian cuisine, jangs stand as the cornerstone of Korean cooking, infusing every dish with a symphony of flavors and complexity. Chef Mingoo Kang, often referred to as South Korea’s best chef, invites readers on a gastronomic journey in Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking to discover the deceptively simple |
Excerpted from Jang by Mingoo Kang (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2024. Photographs by Dong Gil Yun. |
Like the foundational role of butter in French cooking or olive oil in Italian cuisine, jangs stand as the cornerstone of Korean cooking, infusing every dish with a symphony of flavors and complexity. Chef Mingoo Kang, often referred to as South Korea’s best chef, invites readers on a gastronomic journey in Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking to discover the deceptively simple, yet utterly unique and complex Korean sauces that have been near secret ingredients until now.
Chef Kang is celebrated for his dedication to the exploration of jangs at his two-Michelin star restaurant, Mingles, in South Korea. In his new book, he demystifies the art of cooking with these soulful sauces through 60 home-cook-friendly recipes that showcase the versatility and depth of the umami-rich flavors in both Korean and Western preparations.
In addition to providing delicious preparations and flavor notes customized for home kitchens, Jang delves into the history and methods behind the three jangs—ganjang, doenjang, and gochujang. Jang is not merely a cookbook but a timeless addition to every culinary enthusiast's collection, bridging cultures through the universal language of exquisite flavor.
Chef Kang and his two co-authors, Joshua David Stein and Nadia Cho, discuss jang, Korean food, and their new cookbook.
Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking will be available for purchase during the program.
Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 6:30 PM (EDT)
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
About the Speakers:
Photo by Dong Gil Yun |
Mingoo Kang is the chef and owner of Mingles, located in Seoul, which has been named one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and holds two Michelin stars. Kang’s approach at Mingles of presenting innovative hansik has earned him both domestic and international acclaim, and he frequently collaborates with chefs around the world. Most recently, in 2021, he was awarded the Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award—the only accolade voted for by the other chefs on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. In addition to Mingles, Chef Kang runs a retail market in Seoul called MamaLee Market; Hansik Goo, which offers creative Korean cuisine in Hong Kong; and the popular fried chicken brand Hyodo Chicken. |
Photo by DeSean McClinton-Holland |
Joshua David Stein is a writer based in New York City. He is the author of Cooking for Your Kids: At Home with the World’s Greatest Chefs and the coauthor of Notes from a Young Black Chef and My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef, both with Kwame Onwuachi; The Nom Wah Cookbook, with Wilson Tang; Il Buco: Stories and Recipes, with Donna Lennard; Vino: An Essential Guide to Real Italian Wine, with Joe Campanale; and Food & Beer, with Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø and Daniel Burns. He is also the author of To Me He Was Just Dad: Stories of Growing Up with Famous Fathers and a number of award-winning children’s books, including Can I Eat That?, What’s Cooking?, and Solitary Animals. |
Photo by Diane Kang |
Nadia Cho is the founder of Jeong Culture and Communication, which is dedicated to promoting Korean food in the United States. She has been a liaison for chefs and journalists to Korean food and has worked with Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, and the New York Times and T Magazine to bring chefs and journalists to Korea. She was the producer of the “Jeong Kwan” episode of Chef’s Table and helped produce episodes for Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and other shows on the Cooking Channel, NBC, ABC, and many others. She has produced and directed Korean food content on Eater.com. |
About the Moderator:
Juliana Sohn is a photographer and skilled storyteller known for her intimate portraiture. Her work centers on creating and preserving memories and observations of culture. She is co-host and co-founder of K-Pod, a podcast featuring Korean Americans in arts and culture for Korean American Story, where she has interviewed Korean chefs Eunjo Park, Jenny Kwak, Ed Lee, and food writer Eric Kim. She is the paper flower artist behind Pirrly. |
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The Korean Cookbook with Chef Junghyun Park | Peter Serpico: Learning Korean with Eric Kim | Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home with Eric Kim | The Korean Art of Fermentation |