Perilla leaves also called “KkaenNip” (깻잎) are broadly referred to all the leaves of sesame, but among them, the leaves of perilla are used as food. Perilla is a crop grown to extract oil, and perilla leaves are harvested during growth and eaten for food. The place of origin is estimated to be Southeast Asia, and it is cultivated in Korea and China and is rarely cultivated in other countries. Perilla leaves are so nutritious that they are called “the best medicine on the table,” and their fragrant and soft texture enhances the taste buds in summer. It is used as a variety of side dishes, such as Ssam (쌈) vegetables, steamed perilla leaves, and pickled perilla leaves, and is an indispensable ingredient in Korean cuisine.

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Red leafy Lettuce also called “JeokSangChu (적상추), along with perilla, is the most used raw vegetable in Korean cuisine. Contrary to the fact that Perilla is preferred because of its unique flavor, lettuce has no particular taste, so it is popular as a leafy vegetable wrapped in meat. Korean lettuce wraps are eaten wrapped in raw vegetables and cooked meat, which are rarely found in food cultures of other countries.

Lettuce wraps, which Koreans enjoy, are now a supporting role attached to the side of the meat, but originally, it was a custom of wrapping a fortune and eating it. Fresh lettuce grown by ourselves and barley rice with ssamjang served with ssamjang was the basis of a healthy diet for our ancestors. Lettuce supplements vitamin C, beta-carotene, and fiber, which are lacking in meat, prevent cholesterol from accumulating in the body and purify the blood.

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Green leafy Lettuce also called “CheongSangChu (청상추), along with perilla, is the most used raw vegetable in Korean cuisine. Contrary to the fact that Perilla is preferred because of its unique flavor, lettuce has no particular taste, so it is popular as a leafy vegetable wrapped in meat. Korean lettuce wraps are eaten wrapped in raw vegetables and cooked meat, which are rarely found in food cultures of other countries.

Lettuce wraps, which Koreans enjoy, are now a supporting role attached to the side of the meat, but originally, it was a custom of wrapping a fortune and eating it. Fresh lettuce grown by ourselves and barley rice with ssamjang served with ssamjang was the basis of a healthy diet for our ancestors. Lettuce supplements vitamin C, beta-carotene, and fiber, which are lacking in meat, prevent cholesterol from accumulating in the body and purify the blood.

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Spinach also called “SiGeumChi (시금치) is a green-yellow leafy vegetable that contains a large number of various nutrients such as vitamins, iron, and dietary fiber. Spinach has strong cold resistance, so it grows well in cool spring, autumn, and winter. Spinach harvested at this time contains more vitamin C. Spinach is divided into Eastern and Western varieties. Eastern varieties are resistant to cold, so they are cultivated in autumn and winter and are called winter spinach, while Western varieties are cultivated in spring and summer and are called summer spinach. Winter spinach leaves are sharp, but summer spinach leaves are thick and round. In the West, young spinach leaves are mainly used for salads. In Korea, spinach is boiled in soybean paste soup and eaten, but in general, it is often eaten as a side dish for vegetables by blanching it and mixing it with sesame oil and minced seasoning.

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Crown Daisy also called “SsukGat” (쑥갓) is a vegetable belonging to the Asteraceae family. It has a dark green color, deeply serrated shape, and a distinctive scent. It is widespread in Korea, China, and Japan. Yellow or white flowers bloom in early summer, but because of their strong scent, they are planted in flower pots or flower beds in Europe for ornamental purposes only and are not used for food as in Asia. These days, the caloric content is only 26 kcal per 100 g, and it is popular as it is known as an alkaline food that is easy to digest. Since it can be grown in a greenhouse, it can be eaten all year round.

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