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Discover Korean Tableware Through This Primer

Know more about traditional tableware used in your favorite Korean dramas with a tour around the Korean Cultural Center

Article (news)

Mariel Abanes

<div><br/></div><p>Through years of watching K-dramas, we&#x27;ve learned so much about South Korea and its culture. This not just includes Hanbok-wearing or celebrating Chuseok—it also touches one of our favorite things about the country: food!</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/917cec51-d27c-4a3d-a5f7-a979882821d3_chuseok gif start up.gif" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chuseok stills from Start Up<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Netflix, 2020  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/living/home-tours/kang-ki-young-s-home-is-like-an-art-gallery/33562" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” Star Lives In A House That Looks Like An Art Gallery</a></div><div><br/></div><p>We’ve seen and tasted so many delicious delicacies that the <em>Land of the Morning Calm</em> has to offer. From the traditional <em>kimchi</em> to the much raved about Korean barbecue, having <em>chimaek</em> (chicken and beer) to finding <em>makgeolli</em>, it further fueled our interest. Who wouldn’t crave for Korean food when they’re all eating it so well?</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/864b4e23-77d8-45e2-93d3-12cf61ef94f9_itaewon class.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Still from Itaewon Class, 2020<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Netflix  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/living/tips/5-colors-that-are-meaningful-in-k-dramas/33413" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 Colors That Are Meaningful To Korean Dramas</a></div><div><br/></div><p>Even if you have all your groceries bought and prepared at home, the Korean experience doesn’t end there. If you’d be willing to duplicate a specific meal scene in your favorite show or are having a Korean-themed get together, why not do it the Korean way? When <strong>Metro.Style</strong> recently visited the <a href="https://phil.korean-culture.org/EN" target="_blank">Korean Cultural Center</a>, we learned that there’s more than just <em>sujeo</em> (spoon and chopsticks set) and <em>soju jan</em> (soju shot glass). There’s a whole bunch of functional—and very pretty!—tableware that Koreans use.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Check them out in the gallery below:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div class="article-content" itemProp="articleBody"><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/85429cb4-da64-40ed-b487-b5a425005139_korean tableware_gallery cover (1).jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/c796a3a7-c06d-4fcb-b630-084997fd0e7f_2_faceted white porcelain liquor set.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/79ca4e73-36b9-47f4-aa98-f3f2efcef126_1_comb-patterned celadon tea cup.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/e313bbab-bf68-47e2-8f75-0ecf4eaf8921_3_brass tablewear.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/75f3e0f2-6230-4f8a-96a7-3f7feedc2535_3a_brass cup.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/aa2dd413-f5e4-49cb-a330-75ea0e1c2795_4_liquor bottle and cup set.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/befb0c57-d8fd-42aa-93d5-75cb655bef27_5_unglazed black tea cup set.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/40bcc82a-3ead-4530-b94a-67012dbb748c_6_silver handle pot and silver cup set.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/63dad0fd-717c-4372-a451-c75dfb512f29_7_cera-stone espresso.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/b9d35ad5-bb3b-4158-9f6a-e4591553a2f7_7a_cera-stone liquor set.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/fcfa8b5e-3862-438d-b5b7-3744e7f0a6b7_8_bell-shaped soju cup.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/71e75fec-2da3-40f9-bac2-9551e7ef1f28_9_lacquered cup.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/68e60309-ef13-4b64-b065-fa9fedd7e657_10_liquor bottle 1.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/e16a60b9-1006-4236-8299-8546420f0097_10a_liquor bottle 2.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/e51d2df5-2c38-4d9c-95fa-372569831293_10b_liquor bottle 3.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/61309790-e2fa-4c0d-8bbf-19dae4f4addd_11_traditional ceramic tea set 2.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/b138abc2-fbe9-4f92-9abc-bb6ea454e5b8_11a_traditional ceramic tea set 1.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/d5439ee5-9236-47a6-9cef-1c2517854764_12_traditional brass makgeolli pot.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Faceted White Porcelain Liquor Set - Porcelain has been big since the Joseon Dynasty, and it&#x27;s showcased even in a functional liquor set that doubles as a nice decoration at home.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Comb-patterned Celadon Tea Cup - Tea is an important part of Korean culture, and its people have designated cups for this drink. This cup, specifically, wears the comb pattern motif—a design that’s unique to Korea, tracing its origins since the Neolithic period.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Brass Tableware - Korean-type bronzewear is called bangjja, and is often hand-forged. This set includes a bowl, dish, and utensils used in mealtimes.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><div><cite>Paola Aseron</cite></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Liquor Bottle And Cup Set - Apart from porcelain, Koreans also use other material for liquor bottles and cups. These items can be used for pouring soju, vodka, or other liquor.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Unglazed Black Tea Cup Set - Black ceramics in Korea became popular in the Unified Silla period, inspiring tableware with this beautifully distorted style.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Silver Handle Pot And Silver Cup Set - A showcase of silver and ceramics in a simple yet stunning set, used mostly for tea or other beverages.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Cera-stone Series - Created by artist Yang Ji-woon, her cera-stone series has been selected by the K-Ribbon selection for three consecutive years. Her unique aesthetic expresses a butterfly resting softly amidst a white flower field.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><div><cite>Paola Aseron</cite></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Bell-shaped Soju Cups - For a fancier soju drinking experience, these pretty cups can be used for a merry get-together.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Lacquered Cup - Lacquer is another distinct craft in Korea, used for the longevity of objects and preservation.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Traditional Liquor Bottles - Apart from storage for Koreans’ drink of choice, these are also used as display items at home.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><div><cite>Paola Aseron</cite></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div><cite>Paola Aseron</cite></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Traditional Ceramic Tea Set<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p> -  At the height of its discovery, color became an important factor to be considered for ceramics.  Although Goryeo potters learned from the traditions of Song Dynasty in China, they adapted their vernacular taste to this type of ceramic, creating an industry of it in the Jeolla Province&#x27;s Buan and Gangjin regions.  Some of these still exist today.<cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Traditional Brass Makgeolli Pot - Makgeolli is best enjoyed chilled (some even like it frozen), ladled poured from a brass kettle into shallow brass bowls or cups.  <cite>Paola Aseron</cite></p></div></div></div></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Photographs by Paola Aseron</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Banner and thumbs are stills from <em>Jewel In The Palace, </em>(2003)<em>;  Hometown Cha Cha Cha  </em>(2021) and <em>Tale Of The Nine-Tailed </em>(2020)</strong><em><strong>. </strong></em></div>