Noono's Corner

  "물장수" (Muljangsu) would typically carry a large barrel or container filled with water on their back. They would use a dipper or ladle to scoop and serve water to customers. The practice of selling water by Muljangsu, or water sellers, originated in a time when access to clean and safe water was limited. This was especially true in historical periods when there were no modern water supply systems or widespread availability of tap water. The water sellers would travel from place to place, providing a convenient source of water for people who didn't have access to wells or other water sources. They played an important role in ensuring that people had access to drinking water, especially during times when water scarcity was an issue. Water sellers, known as "Sakka" (사크카) in Egypt, would transport water from the Nile using large leather containers. They would then travel through the streets, calling out to announce their presence and the availability of fresh water

  As far as I remember, I attended a Songpyeon-making workshop back in 2014, although I'm not sure of the exact date. During the workshop, we were given pre-made rice flour dough and instructed on how the festival is celebrated in Korea. We filled the dough with brown sugar, sesame seeds, or nuts, and folded it into a half-moon shape. While folding it, the shape reminded me of the Egyptian dessert "Qatayef," which is a festive dish during the month of Ramadan. The main difference between the two desserts is the dough ingredients: Songpyeon is made from rice flour and steamed, while Qatayef is made from flour, fried, and dipped in sugar syrup. I tried Songpyeon just once, but I didn't like it. Its taste was a bit strange for me. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was because back then I used to prefer sweet things, and this wasn't very sweet. Or perhaps I wasn't familiar with Korean food at that time.