Seon (food)

Seon refers to a category of Korean savory dishes, typically made by stuffing vegetables, seafood, or meat into hollowed-out vegetables like cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, or zucchini, and then steaming or pan-frying them. The stuffed vegetables are often sliced into bite-sized pieces and served with a dipping sauce, commonly made from soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and other seasonings.

Seon is considered a traditional Korean food, often associated with Korean royal court cuisine (Joseon Dynasty) and is frequently served as a banchan (side dish) or as a component of a larger meal. Its preparation can be intricate and time-consuming, reflecting its status as a more elaborate dish.

Different regional variations and seasonal availability influence the ingredients used in seon. Popular variations include:

• Oi-seon (오이선): Stuffed cucumber
• Gaji-seon (가지선): Stuffed eggplant
• Gochu-seon (고추선): Stuffed chili pepper
• Hobak-seon (호박선): Stuffed zucchini (or Korean squash)

The filling usually consists of a mixture of minced meat (typically beef or pork), mushrooms, tofu, vegetables (such as carrots, onions, and scallions), and seasonings like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The combination of textures and flavors creates a balanced and visually appealing dish.