Introduction of Goseong Pollock
Haenguntae refers to pollock that is wrapped in thread, which is supposed to bring good fortune from the spirits to the extent of its length. Pollock is a relatively large fish that is caught in abundance, and for this reason, it symbolizes abundance and fertility. This is why, in the past, Koreans used to wrap pollock in silk threads for storage or gosa (shamanistic ritual performed to avoid misfortune and bring good fortune) in order to wish for good health and prosperity for the entire family.
Pollocks move down south from the North Pacific in the fall season, reaching the coast of Hamgyeong-do Province (alternative spelling: Hamkyung-do) by September or October and the coast of Gangwon-do Province by November or December, where they spawn. Goseongtae refers to pollocks that have been caught off the coasts of Russia and rapidly frozen for transport before being hung at a deokjang (an outdoor pollock drying site) and dried over winter. Because they are dried against the sea breeze, the pollocks stay clean and fresh. Goseongtae, which have taken in the nutrients of the deep seawater, have high sulfur amino acid content and thus are effective in detoxification and toxin elimination, making them one of the top health foods.
Goseong, the Home to Pollock
- Although it is difficult to find documents providing information on the time period when pollack began to be caught in the Goseong area, we can see that pollock among other seafoods has been caught in abundant amounts off the coast of Goseong even 600 years ago from the records of 『Sejongsillokjiriji (世宗實錄地理志; Geographical Atlas of Sejong Chronicles)』 that read, “It is the custom of the people of Goseong to sustain their livelihoods with seafood,” as well as sentences that suggest large production of pollock, octopus, cod, salmon, sea mustard and abalone.
- Since the Joseon Dynasty, the most representative fisheries manufacturing industry was the manufacturing of freeze-dried pollock products. In Goseong, in particular, pollock deokjang sites (an outdoor pollock drying site) were established along the coast even before such practices were implemented in Jinburyeong or Misiryeong.
As it can be seen in the photographs of pollocks hung at the deokjang sites lining the coast in the early 20th century, the Goseong area has long been one of the primary producers of pollock.
- Since the ancient times, pollocks caught from the East Sea off the coast of Goseong and Ganseong in Gangwon-do Province have been called “gantae (杆太)” or “gangtae (江太).” They were also called “jintae (眞太),” meaning “real pollock,” to distinguish them from the pollocks caught by deep-sea fishing vessels and brought in via Geojin Port and “jintae (津太)” named after Geojin. Considering that it had such diverse names, it can be inferred that Goseong was famous as a producer of pollock.
- 『Discovering Korea: Gangwon-do Province』, a book published by Ppurigipeunnamu, introduces Geojin Port, well-known as a pollock fishing ground, and a wide range of foods made with pollock as well as the history of pollock in Korea, which further proves that Goseong is a famous producer of pollock.
“The people of Goseong has learned ways to make a wide variety of foods with pollock since long ago. […] Pollock is dried before being mixed with glutinous rice and steamed with all sorts of seasonings and fermented inside a jar to be widely consumed as a side dish served with rice or liquor.”