Episode 3: Nostalgic Bites from Squid Game—Food, Culture, and Memories

In today’s newsletter:

• What’s Inside the Tin Lunchbox?: Explore the nostalgic school meals of the 1950s-60s. 🍱

• Pink Sausages Explained: Discover Korea’s old-school sausage and its lasting legacy. 🌭

• Cider & Eggs: The classic pairing that defined train travel in Korea. 🚃🥤

• The Sweet Story of Dalgona: From childhood candy to global fame. 🍬

• Make Your Own Dalgona Coffee!: Learn how to whip up this viral frothy drink at home. ☕✨

KOREAN CULTURE

Did You Notice the Food in Squid Game? 🍱🍬

Beyond the intense games and suspense, Squid Game gave us a glimpse into Korea’s nostalgic foods. From tin lunchboxes to pink sausages, each scene reveals a small piece of Korean history and culture. Let’s take a closer look!

The Tin Lunchbox: A Nostalgic School Meal 🍱

Remember the scene where participants are given lunchboxes? These are 양철 도시락 (tin lunchboxes), a staple in the 1950s and 1960s. Back then, students brought their lunches to school in these sturdy metal boxes.

Winter Tradition:
In the colder months, food would go cold quickly. To solve this, students stacked their lunchboxes on the classroom 난로 (wood stove) to keep them warm. Position mattered, though—lunchboxes at the bottom risked getting burnt, so kids would often swap places to save their meals!

What’s Inside?
Typically, the meal included:

• Rice

• A fried egg

• Stir-fried kimchi

Simple yet nostalgic, this lunchbox evokes the warmth of school memories for many Koreans.

Pink Sausages: Korea’s “Old School” Sausage 🌭

Another memorable dish in Squid Game is 분홍 소시지 (pink sausage), seen on cafeteria trays. Unlike modern sausages, these are made with fish paste and flour rather than pork, making them an affordable alternative during Korea’s post-war economic struggles in the 1960s.

How It’s Enjoyed:
Many Koreans fry pink sausages in egg batter and serve them as a side dish. It’s a nostalgic taste that brings back memories of school lunches and simpler times.

Cider and Eggs: A Symbol of Train Travel 🚃🥤

In another scene, participants receive 사이다 (Korean cider) and a boiled egg. This classic combination is a nod to Korea’s 열차 여행 (train travel) tradition.

The Food Cart Era:
For 80 years, food carts roamed Korean trains, selling snacks like boiled eggs and cider to passengers. Unfortunately, these food carts were discontinued in 2017 due to low sales and rising costs. Vending machines replaced them, but during COVID-19, on-board eating was restricted, leading to a further decline.

A Nostalgic Comeback:
As train travel returned to normal, public demand brought temporary food carts back, focusing on popular items like coffee, which remains a top seller today.

Dalgona: The Sweet Star of Squid Game 🍬

One of the most iconic scenes in Squid Game features 달고나 (dalgona), also known as 뽑기 (bbopgi). This childhood candy, made by melting sugar and adding baking soda, has been a favorite since the 1950s.

Why Was It Popular?
Dalgona was cheap and sweet—perfect for kids when store-bought candies were too expensive. Vendors often added a fun challenge: cut out the stamped shape without breaking it and win a second one for free!

Dalgona’s Many Names Across Korea 🗺️
Did you know dalgona has different names depending on the region?

• Seoul & Incheon: Bbobgi or Dalgona

• Daejeon: Ttigi

• Jeju Island: Ttegi

• Gyeongbuk (North Gyeongsang): Gukja (Ladle) 🥄

• Gyeongnam (South Gyeongsang): Jjokja (Gyeongnam dialect of Gukja)

• Busan: Jjokja or playfully, Ddong Gwaja (“poop snack”)

Over the years, dalgona and bbopgi became the most widely used names, thanks to media exposure from Seoul. Squid Game turned dalgona into a global sensation, introducing the candy to millions worldwide.

Dalgona in Modern Times ☕

Dalgona isn’t just a nostalgic snack anymore—it’s inspired modern trends like Dalgona Coffee, a whipped coffee drink that became a global sensation during the pandemic. With its creamy, frothy texture and bittersweet flavor, it brings a café vibe right to your kitchen.

How to Make Dalgona Coffee at Home:

• Ingredients:
  2 tbsp instant coffee ☕ | 2 tbsp sugar 🍬 | 2 tbsp hot water 💧 | 1 cup milk 🥛

• Steps:

  1. Combine the coffee, sugar, and hot water in a bowl.

  2. Whip the mixture using a hand mixer or whisk until light and fluffy.

  3. Pour milk into a glass (hot or cold, your choice!) and top it with the whipped coffee.

  4. Stir and enjoy your creamy, delicious treat! ✨

Whether in its traditional form as candy or transformed into a modern drink like Dalgona Coffee, this sweet delight continues to bridge the gap between the past and present. It’s a perfect blend of nostalgia and trendiness, offering sweetness to people of all ages. 🌟

Your Conversation Starter 💬

"Did you know that dalgona has over five different names across Korea? In Gyeongbuk, it’s called Gukja, while in Gyeongnam, it’s Jjokja! And how about Ddong Gwaja in Busan—who knew 'poop snack' could be so sweet? 😂"

Follow up with:
"If you had to play the Squid Game dalgona challenge, would you win? What shape would you choose—circle, star, or umbrella?"

Share this trivia and watch the conversation come alive with laughter and nostalgia! 🍬

Coming Up Next: Episode 4! 🎉

In the next issue, we’re diving into Infinite Challenge, Korea’s legendary variety show! 🌟
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this show remains a cultural phenomenon, much like The Simpsons in the West. Discover the games, laughs, and moments that made Infinite Challenge a timeless favorite.

Stay tuned—it’s going to be legendary! 📺✨