Airmen experience taste of Korea

Min Chu Choe, manager of the Osan Burger King and Popeye’s food court, displays Songpyeon made during a Chuseok celebration at Popeye’s on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 12, 2013. To celebrate Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving Day, 20 Airmen and their families joined local civilians to make Songpyeon, a traditional Korean rice cake that contains stuffing made with sesame seeds, black beans, cinnamon, and honey. (U.S. Air Force Courtesy Photo/ Maj. Gary Charland)

Airmen experience taste of Korea

Published Sept. 17, 2013
By Maj. Gary Charland
5th Reconnaissance Squadron maintenance operations officer

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Twenty Airmen and their families joined local civilians at the fourth annual Songpyeon making event at Popeye's restaurant here Sept. 12.

The event was held to celebrate the Korean Thanksgiving Day, Chuseok, which is also known as Hangawi, and was organized by Min Chu Choe, the manager of the Burger King and Popeye's food court.

Airmen, their families and the Popeye's employees dressed in traditional Hanboks and learned how to make the half-moon shaped Songpyeon. Songpyeon is a Korean traditional rice cake that contains stuffing made with sesame seeds, black beans, cinnamon, and honey.

This fun and educational experience of Korean culture culminated in the attendees' eating their creations as Jamie Northcott, 11, and Kim Tae-in, 11, sang a well-harmonized traditional Korean song.