Jeonbok-juk

Jeonbok-juk, or abalone rice porridge, is a variety of juk (죽; 粥), or Korean porridge, made with abalone and white rice. Abalone is regarded as a high-quality ingredient in Korean cuisine and was often presented as a gift to the king of Korea. The dish is a local specialty of Jeju Island, where abalones are commonly harvested. Jeonbokjuk is known as not only a delicacy but also as a nutritional supplement and digestive aid, especially for ill patients or elderly people. Jeonbokjuk can be made with or without the abalone's internal organs. The former type of jeonbokjuk has a green tinge, while the latter is more ivory in color.

Preparation and serving
Abalones are first prepared by cleaning with a brush in water, and the flesh is taken out from the flat and middle of the shells with a small kitchen knife. The internal organs are removed separately from the flesh, taking care not to damage them. The flesh is slightly parboiled in a pot of boiling water and then thinly sliced. Rice is soaked in a bowl of water for 3 to 4 hours before cooking. The abalone flesh is stir-fried in a pot over a medium flame with sesame oil, with the soaked rice then added. After stir-frying for a while, water is poured into the pot, and the dish is cooked at a higher temperature. Constant stirring prevents the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pot. After the dish has come to a boil, the heat is lowered and allowed to simmer. The dish is seasoned with salt, or ganjang (Korean soy sauce).