Squid Game 3’s Authentic Korean Traditional Food

Discovering Authentic Flavors in Brass Bowls

Exploring the rich culinary heritage showcased in Squid Game 3 – Netflix’s final season

In one of the most haunting scenes of Squid Game 3, the remaining players sit down to an elaborate Korean feast, knowing it may be their last meal. Galbi-jjim (braised short ribs) glistens in traditional brass bowls, colorful japchae noodles are artfully arranged, and gujeolpan’s nine sections offer a rainbow of flavors—all served with the reverence of a final celebration of life itself.

Yet in this moment of culinary communion, a baby lies unattended nearby. The players, so carefully savoring each bite, so deliberately honoring the ritual of shared meals, turn deaf ears to the most vulnerable among them. This jarring contradiction reveals the show’s brutal truth: that even our most sacred cultural traditions—the Korean belief that food equals love, that feeding others is the highest form of care—can be abandoned when survival is at stake.

There’s something profoundly Korean about this scene’s duality: the insistence on honoring food and tradition even when facing the unthinkable, while simultaneously revealing how quickly our capacity for nurturing can evaporate under pressure. In Korean culture, the act of feeding someone is perhaps the most fundamental expression of love—mothers show affection through carefully prepared meals, communities bond over shared banchan, families demonstrate care by ensuring everyone eats well. Yet here, as the players claim their humanity through food, they simultaneously abandon the most basic human duty: protecting the innocent.

This scene captures the beautiful and terrible contradiction at the heart of human nature: our ability to find grace and celebration in the shadow of tragedy, while also revealing how quickly we can compartmentalize our compassion when our own survival is threatened. The elaborate spread serves as both a last supper and a moral test—one that reveals how even the most nourishing traditions can coexist with the coldest indifference.

Traditional Korean Dishes Featured in Squid Game 3

Galbi-jjim (갈비찜) – Korean Braised Short Ribs

One of the most visually stunning dishes presented in Squid Game 3, galbi-jjim represents the pinnacle of Korean comfort food. This slow-braised dish features:

1. Tender beef short ribs marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and Korean pear
2. Sweet and savory glaze made with honey, sesame oil, and mirin
3. Colorful vegetables including carrots, radishes, and jujube dates
4. Complex flavor profile that balances umami, sweetness, and subtle spice

Cultural Meaning: Galbi-jjim is traditionally served during special occasions and family gatherings, making its appearance in the series particularly poignant as players face their final moments.

Japchae (잡채) – Sweet Potato Starch Noodles

This beloved Korean dish showcased the artistry of Korean cuisine with its rainbow of colors and textures:

1. Translucent sweet potato noodles that provide a unique chewy texture
2. Julienned vegetables including carrots, bell peppers, and spinach
3. Beef or mushroom strips for protein and depth
4. Sesame oil dressing that brings all flavors together harmoniously

Why It Matters: Japchae symbolizes longevity and prosperity in Korean culture, making it a meaningful choice for the series’ final feast scenes.

Gujeolpan (구절판) – Nine-Section Platter

This elaborate dish represents the height of Korean royal cuisine:

1. Eight colorful ingredients arranged in individual sections around a central crepe
2. Traditional components including egg strips, beef, vegetables, and pickled radish
3. Interactive dining experience where diners create their own wraps
4. Symbol of abundance and hospitality in Korean culture

The Art of Korean Brass Bowls (Yugi-geurut)in Squid Game 3

The traditional brass bowls featured throughout Squid Game 3 aren’t just beautiful—they’re functional masterpieces with centuries of history:

Health Benefits of Brass Dinnerware

1. Natural antimicrobial properties that help prevent bacterial growth
2. Temperature regulation – brass keeps cold foods cool and warm foods warm longer
3. Enhanced flavor – many Koreans believe brass enhances the taste of food
4. Durability – these bowls can last for generations with proper care

Cultural Significance

1. Symbol of prosperity in traditional Korean households
2. Ceremonial importance – used during important family celebrations
3. Artisan craftsmanship – each bowl is traditionally hand-hammered
4. Sustainable choice – environmentally friendly alternative to disposable dinnerware

Cheongmyeongju: Korea’s Traditional Clear Rice Wine in Squid Game 3

While not prominently featured in every scene, traditional Korean alcohol like cheongmyeongju (청명주) represents another important aspect of Korean dining culture:

1. Crystal-clear appearance that reflects its pure brewing process
2. Delicate flavor profile with subtle sweetness and clean finish
3. Cultural ritual – traditionally shared during important moments
4. Perfect pairing with Korean cuisine, especially grilled meats

Where to Find Authentic Korean Ingredients and Cookware

Online Resources

1. H-Mart – largest Korean grocery chain with online delivery
2. tastekoreanfood.com – comprehensive Korean cooking website with ingredient guides
3. Korean Premium – specializes in traditional cookware and tableware

Local Shopping Tips

1. Visit your local Korean town or Asian district
2. Look for Korean grocery stores – they often carry the most authentic products
3. Check Asian markets in your area – many carry Korean staples
4. Some Whole Foods and international sections now stock Korean basics

Conclusion: The Beautiful and Terrible Truth of Shared Meals in Squid Game 3

The Korean cuisine featured in Squid Game 3 serves as more than just sustenance—it becomes a mirror reflecting the complexity of human nature itself. The careful presentation in traditional brass bowls, the symbolic significance of each dish, and the communal nature of Korean dining all contribute to the emotional depth of the series, but they also expose uncomfortable truths about our capacity for selective compassion.

The elaborate feast scene forces us to confront a disturbing question: Can we truly claim to honor a culture of care and nurturing while ignoring those most in need of protection? The players’ ability to find solace in Korean culinary traditions while remaining indifferent to a baby’s needs reveals how easily we can compartmentalize our humanity when our own survival feels threatened.

Yet perhaps this is precisely what makes Korean food culture so powerful—its ability to persist even in corrupted forms, to maintain its rituals and beauty even when its soul has been compromised. The traditional dishes continue to nourish, the brass bowls still gleam with dignity, and the act of sharing food retains its sacred qualities, even when those partaking have lost their way.

Whether you’re inspired to try cooking Korean food at home, visit a local Korean restaurant, or invest in traditional brass dinnerware, remember that the true essence of Korean cuisine lies not just in its flavors or presentation, but in its fundamental purpose: to care for others, especially the most vulnerable among us. The culinary journey sparked by Squid Game 3 offers more than just delicious recipes—it challenges us to examine whether we’re truly embracing the spirit of nurturing that these traditions represent.

By understanding both the beauty and the potential corruption of food traditions, we can strive to honor not just the forms of Korean culinary culture, but its deepest values: compassion, protection of the vulnerable, and the belief that feeding others is one of the highest expressions of love.