Two Hanwoo recipes to help exam-season students beat the summer heat

The Korea Hanwoo Association has introduced two Hanwoo-based recipes designed to help students power through exam season.

For students who have lost their appetite or have an unsettled stomach from long hours of studying, the association recommends Hanwoo octopus porridge — a mild, easy-to-digest dish that combines Korean beef and octopus for a light flavor and chewy texture. It is particularly well suited for students who tend to skip breakfast or need a light meal late at night.

To prepare it, soak rice and stir-fry it in sesame oil, then add kelp broth and bring to a boil. Stir in Hanwoo tenderloin, finely chopped octopus, zucchini, Karrot and onion, and cook until everything is tender. Season with salt and finish with a sprinkle of whole sesame seeds.

The second recipe is Hanwoo walnut hamburger steak, made with minced Korean beef and chopped walnuts. The dish delivers protein from the Hanwoo alongside unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E from the walnuts.

Start by finely chopping Hanwoo rump and walnuts, then mix in sautéed onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Add an egg and breadcrumbs and knead into a dough. Shape into patties, pan-fry until golden, top with mozzarella and bake in an oven preheated to 200 degrees Celsius for about 10 minutes. Serve alongside broccoli, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes or other vegetables to round out the nutritional balance.

Park Mi-gyeong, director of a traditional Korean medicine clinic, said students are prone to fatigue and difficulty concentrating as prolonged study and stress take a toll. "In traditional Korean medicine, it is considered important during such periods to replenish the body's vital energy through a regular lifestyle, sufficient sleep and a balanced diet," she said. She added that Hanwoo is an ingredient that can support the nutritional needs of growing teenagers and exam students, as it contains high-quality protein, iron and B vitamins.