Memil-muk
Memil-muk () or buckwheat jelly is a light gray-brown "muk" (jelly) made from buckwheat starch. It is commonly served as "banchan" (a side dish accompanying rice) as well as "anju" (food accompanying alcoholic drinks). In post-war Korea, from the mid to late-20th century, "memil-muk" along with "chapssal-tteok" (glutinous rice cakes) was widely served as "yasik" (late-night snack) by street vendors. In modern times, it is popular as a diet food. Along with other buckwheat dishes, it is a local specialty of Gangwon Province, especially Bongpyeong Township in Pyeongchang County. Preparation. Unhulled whole buckwheat  grains are soaked in water (to reduce bitterness). Soaked grains are then ground in "maetdol" (millstone) and sieved. The skins are discarded, and the remaining liquid is set aside to allow it to separate into layers. The upper layer, consisting of clear water, is discarded. The lower layer, consisting of settled buckwheat starch, is boiled with constant stirring. When cooled, the mixture sets to form a jelly-like substance, "muk". "Memil-muk" is most commonly eaten as "memil-muk-muchim" (; "buckwheat jelly salad"), a "banchan" (side dish) in which chunks of "memil-muk" are mixed with chopped kimchi, ground toasted  sesame seeds and soy sauce. In Gangwon Province, "memil-muk" is used in "jesa" (ancestral rites) for deceased ancestors. In summer, "memil-muk-sabal" (; "cold buckwheat jelly soup") is made with cold kimchi broth, while in winter, "memil-muk" is served in hot "jangguk" (soy sauce-based beef broth). In Yeongju, some houses are still made in the traditional way and eat Muk-bap(묵밥). In folklore. In ancient times, "memil-muk" was thought to be irresistible to "dokkaebi" (Korean goblins). "Memil-muk" is offered in "dokkaebi-gut", a "gut" (shamanistic ritual performed by a "mu" shaman) for chasing away "dokkaebi , which were believed to be the causes of contagious diseases. Other rituals with similar purpose, such as dokkaebi-je", a "jesa" (Confucian ritual, held in households), and "dokkaebi-gosa", a "gosa" (shamanistic or Buddhist household ritual, held in households), also include the offering of "memil-muk". In popular culture. In the manhwa "Dokebi Bride", the use of "memil-muk" to call on "dokebi" is an important plot device.