Red porridge on the longest night
Dongji is the Korean name for the winter solstice, around the shortest day of the year. The National Folk Museum explains that it was once called a 'little New Year'. Families traditionally cooked red-bean porridge with small glutinous-rice balls and sometimes placed or sprinkled it around the household. Red beans symbolised protection against harmful influences in folk belief.
The tiny rice balls
The round pieces of rice dough are called *saealsim*. Their shape and number acquired meanings connected with the sun and growing older. These are descriptions of historical beliefs, not proven medical properties.
Was everyone the same?
No. The museum describes *aedongji*, when the solstice falls early in the eleventh lunar month; some communities prepared rice cakes instead of porridge. Today, many enjoy the food without observing the older rituals.
For travellers
Dongji usually falls in late December, but verify the precise 2026 date and any specific heritage programme separately. A museum exhibit, tasting or hands-on class should never be assumed available every day. A bowl of porridge tells a wider story about how seasons are marked in Korea.