'Andong Suun Japbang' Designated as National Treasure... First Case of a Culinary Manuscript

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Dong-guk] Andong City announced on the 27th that on the 24th, the Cultural Heritage Administration designated 'Andong Suun Japbang,' kept by the Korea Institute of Korean Studies Foundation, as a Nationally Designated Cultural Property (Treasure No. 2134).

'Suun Japbang' (需雲雜方) is a handwritten Chinese manuscript cookbook authored by three generations of Confucian scholars from Andong, Gyeongbuk: Kim Yu (金綏, 1491?1555) and his grandson Kim Yeong (金?·1577?1641). This book contains various methods for preparing enjoyable food and is the first cookbook to be designated as a treasure.

The title 'Suun' (需雲) originates from the I Ching (周易), specifically the phrase "Clouds rise to the sky, which is Su (需, the Xu trigram), and the gentleman drinks, eats, and holds a feast to enjoy" (雲上于天, 需, 君子以飮食宴樂), meaning to hold a banquet and enjoy.

The book consists of 122 entries: 86 written by Kim Yu in the first part and 36 by Kim Yeong in the latter part. It includes a total of 114 types of food preparations and related content.

When categorized, the entries include 57 types of alcoholic beverages, 6 types of vinegar, 14 types of pickled vegetables and fermented vegetables (沈菜, kimchi varieties), 9 types of sauces (醬類), 5 types of confectionery and sweets (造菓 and 糖類), 6 types of cold dishes, 6 types of soups, 1 type of tofu, 1 type of milk product (駝酪), 2 types of noodles, and 7 types of sowing and storage methods for vegetables and fruits.

Although there are references to Chinese and other Joseon cooking books, several recipes from noble families in the Andong region during the Joseon Dynasty, such as 'Ocheon Yangbeop' (烏川釀法, the method of brewing liquor in the Ocheon area of Andong), are included.

Mayor Kwon Young-se said, "As Andong's excellent traditional cultural heritage is designated as national and provincial cultural properties every year, we ask citizens to take great interest and participate in preserving and nurturing these precious cultural assets." He added, "We will make further efforts to widely promote the status of Andong as a UNESCO World Heritage city."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.