Haenyeo are female divers with a tradition spanning about 1,000 years, originating from women living in the coastal regions of Korea who harvest seafood from the sea to support their families. This profession emerged as a means of livelihood for these women. Haenyeo dive into the depths of the sea using only wetsuits and simple goggles, without any special equipment. Although the work of a haenyeo is physically demanding, they have lived their entire lives alongside the sea, harvesting seafood in a manner that is more environmentally friendly than anything else. Haenyeo is our precious cultural heritage which is enlisted on the UNESCO Cultural heritage, but it is also facing a decline in their numbers and is at risk of disappearing in the near future.
Last month, the EVETT team spent time in Jeju Island with Haenyeo, collecting sea nails, seaweeds, and sea urchins, and more. While the work of diving into the sea to find and collect the ingredients was difficult, it was an invaluable experience that taught us the importance of harmonious coexistence between nature and humans, as well as the spirit of the Haenyeo that they can only collect as much food as the sea allows in a day.
Myeongin's Table
Following our field trip to Jeollanam-do, we proudly present our new Master Artisan dish, developed to showcase the traditional Korean master artisans and their ingredients that the EVETT team encountered.
Inspired by Korean Ssam (wrap) culture, this reinterpretation of a Ssam dish features a harmonious blend of various traditional ingredients, including soy-marinated crab, bugak, strawberry gochujang, and pickled green plums.
