What do you think?
Rate this book
Seoul Food
A young biracial girl joyfully celebrates both her Black and Korean cultures the best way she knows how—with the irresistible power of food!
Hana is faced with a what scrumptious dinner should she make for her four grandparents who are all coming for a visit? This dish isn't yummy enough, that one isn't special enough . . . What's an aspiring chef to do? Her mother tells her to cook what makes her heart happy, so Hana thinks hard.
She remembers the savory gumbo that she made with Grandma and Grandpa Williams when she visited them in the South. Then she reminisces about the sweet and spicy stew she made with Halmoni and Harabeoji during her trip to Seoul. Feeling inspired, Hana creates a dish that brings together the best flavors of her two cultures in a mouthwatering new way, and her grandparents couldn't be prouder!
Hana is faced with a what scrumptious dinner should she make for her four grandparents who are all coming for a visit? This dish isn't yummy enough, that one isn't special enough . . . What's an aspiring chef to do? Her mother tells her to cook what makes her heart happy, so Hana thinks hard.
She remembers the savory gumbo that she made with Grandma and Grandpa Williams when she visited them in the South. Then she reminisces about the sweet and spicy stew she made with Halmoni and Harabeoji during her trip to Seoul. Feeling inspired, Hana creates a dish that brings together the best flavors of her two cultures in a mouthwatering new way, and her grandparents couldn't be prouder!
40 pages, Hardcover
Published February 20, 2024
2 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 10, 2024
I am just IN LOVE with this whole book! As a mixed-race child, I had dishes (and family members) from different parts of the world with different cuisines. We would make Korean kimchee-jigae, Samoan pani popo, and Hawaiian kalua pork, among others. Every dish was special because it connected to culture. Hana's sweet gesture to make a dish combining everything she loves about American soul food and Korean food made my heart SING. As family gathers around food, what a beautiful way to show love for family by showing love for food.
The illustrations were so adorable and colorful!
*Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced electronic copy. All opinions are my own.
The illustrations were so adorable and colorful!
*Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced electronic copy. All opinions are my own.
February 28, 2024
A biracial Black and Korean American girl is determined to make a dish for her two sets of grandparents that will make her heart sing, showing her love for all of them. She makes kimchi gumbo, drawing on the cooking knowledge imparted to her by both sets of her grandparents. I thought this story was really clearly written and well-paced, and appreciated the focus on emotions as well as the process of cooking.
Themes: Food/Cooking, Family, Social Emotional
Age range: Toddler-Early Elementary
Themes: Food/Cooking, Family, Social Emotional
Age range: Toddler-Early Elementary
June 27, 2024
She doesn't get to visit with her grandparents very often because half of them live in South Korea where Asian Food is the way of things, and the other half live in South Carolina where Soul Food is king. It's fun being from two cultures, but what do you cook when both sets are coming for dinner?! Mom and dad have ideas but they just won't do, so something new is cooked and the recipe plus English interpretation of ingredients is included!
The illustrations by Tamisha Anthony are fun, evocative, appropriately colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Erin Russell | Viking Books for Young Readers via NetGalley. Thank you!
The illustrations by Tamisha Anthony are fun, evocative, appropriately colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Erin Russell | Viking Books for Young Readers via NetGalley. Thank you!
May 23, 2024
This is a wonderful little story about Hana who has to decide what to make when her 4 grandparents come to dinner at the same time. Seems easy, but Hana wants to find a way to celebrate both cultures in a delicious way. Her mom tells her to follow her heart and do what makes her happy. She remembers her grandparents from the South and their gumbo, she remembers her grandparents from Seoul and the stew she ate with them. Follow her in this wonderful story that celebrates family, cultures and traditions. Discover the recipe she creates to make for her family. We loved the story and heart behind this adventure. The wonderful illustrations add to the warm and heartfelt feeling this story gives. Your family will treasure this story too.
April 15, 2025
As a black woman with a korean husband and expecting our first little one that also just so happens to be a girl this book represented my Southern Black & Korean family perfectly.
The family photo at the beginning of the book felt like I was looking in the mirror. Our little one has grandparents on both sides of the family that have previously owned restaurants so this story being centered on food and the thing that united both cultures was perfect.
It felt like this book was written just for my little family. I cannot wait for my little one to grow older to be able to read this one herself and see her family represented so accurately in the illustrations.
The family photo at the beginning of the book felt like I was looking in the mirror. Our little one has grandparents on both sides of the family that have previously owned restaurants so this story being centered on food and the thing that united both cultures was perfect.
It felt like this book was written just for my little family. I cannot wait for my little one to grow older to be able to read this one herself and see her family represented so accurately in the illustrations.
October 31, 2024
This was so cute and heartwarming!! The illustrations are so pretty and the message behind it is priceless. I also love how they included the recipe at the end. It teaches the little ones that even though we might come from different places and cultures, it's love that unites us and I think that's beautiful. I recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2024
This was such a cute book! I would’ve loved a book like this as a kid.
Totally trying the recipe one day!
Totally trying the recipe one day!
April 26, 2024
[NetGalley Review]
5 stars children’s book ⭐️
First of all, genius book title! Thanks NetGalley and Erin Russell for the E-ARC 🫶🏼
Beautifully illustrated from cover to back, i have a lot to highlight in this promising publication! In order, my attention was captivated by the illustrations then sweet plot, I read it out loud to my little cousins and they were very intrigued by the pretty images and easy phrases, it’s a suitable match for kids aged 5-10. Gumbo has all my favorite things, and I bet it tastes super good, definitely on my cook-list! (For now, I offer this drawing)
Tamisha did a wonderful job illustrating the scope of the story, just looking at the second page of tiled-food illustration made me hungry. The warmth and happiness is radiant, in page 5, the bond between the kids and their parents was beautifully expressed visually without the need to elaborate by using words. Direct and comprehensive illustrations are always the best!
The writing was sweet and simple, exploring common dishes that many kids are familiar was a smart move, then allowing our cute MC Hana to come up with a recipe from the heart just tied it all in together. The main focus was celebrating different cultural foods and family connections, and that shined through!
5 stars children’s book ⭐️
First of all, genius book title! Thanks NetGalley and Erin Russell for the E-ARC 🫶🏼
Beautifully illustrated from cover to back, i have a lot to highlight in this promising publication! In order, my attention was captivated by the illustrations then sweet plot, I read it out loud to my little cousins and they were very intrigued by the pretty images and easy phrases, it’s a suitable match for kids aged 5-10. Gumbo has all my favorite things, and I bet it tastes super good, definitely on my cook-list! (For now, I offer this drawing)
Tamisha did a wonderful job illustrating the scope of the story, just looking at the second page of tiled-food illustration made me hungry. The warmth and happiness is radiant, in page 5, the bond between the kids and their parents was beautifully expressed visually without the need to elaborate by using words. Direct and comprehensive illustrations are always the best!
The writing was sweet and simple, exploring common dishes that many kids are familiar was a smart move, then allowing our cute MC Hana to come up with a recipe from the heart just tied it all in together. The main focus was celebrating different cultural foods and family connections, and that shined through!
August 16, 2024
Seoul Food: Thoughts
Seoul Food: Now We Are Cooking
“Is that a typo,” I thought as I saw this book among the new additions at the Youth section of my local library. Yes, I was with my Associate as they needed to pick up and review some of their favorite books.
I offered for us to look at this one, but they had other items in mind. I decided to sit down and look at it myself. What a delightful discovery. It was intriguing, interesting, charming, and just when I thought, “boy, this would be good if it had the recipes,” there they were. But more on that later.
It is nice to read a youth-centric book that teaches valuable lessons. Sharing, caring, diversity, and food – the importance of food to well being cannot be overstated. Some like it hot; some like it sweet; some like it spicy and some like it salty. Heck, some even like it raw. Seoul Food by author, Erin Danielle Russell, does an excellent job of sharing some of these valuable lessons.
We live in abundant times. There have never been so many people, eating so many calories, in recorded history. Yet, there are still too many who want; too many with wasted calories; too much junk in our food; and too much food tossed into our junk.
Teaching kids the importance, necessity, and wonders of food is critical. As one of my friends explained to me, “it is hard to be angry while you are eating.” Especially if you are eating real food and not the fast kind. If you want to feel wealthy, learn to cook and eat well. Many other things will then fall into place. Try it.
You see Hana learnt that lesson young. She has Afro-American grandparents from South Carolina; and Korean grandparents from Seoul, South Korea – hence the pun in the title. Both sets of grandparents are coming to visit, and Hana decides that she wants to cook a ‘big family dinner.’ But what to cook? She, like a good wannabe Italian, cooks from the heart. Excellent idea Hanna.
She adds some of her favorite ingredients, simmers them slowly to allow the different ingredients to blend their flavors, and she and her heart are happy. Food can do that. You know what else can do that? Sharing a nice meal – note, I said nice, it need not be perfect – with family and loved ones. Them loving the meal, well that is just divine! By the way, Hana made kimchi gumbo, with some sides of rice, corn bread, hot sauce, and gochugaru. Gochugaru? Don’t worry, it is only Korean style chili powder.
The book has a useful glossary for cooking words used in the book.
There is even Hana’s recipe for Kimchi Gumbo:
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chopped sweet onion (about 1 medium)
• 1 ½ cups chopped celery (about two large stalks)
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1 large)
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large)
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 6 ounces chopped andouille sausage
• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Spicy-sweet Korean chili paste)
• 1 ½ cups kimchi (Peppery pickled vegetables, Korea’s national dish)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• ½ pound peeled and deveined raw medium shrimp
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For how to put it together, we suggest that you read the book. It will be worth it. (But if you follow logical steps, as the ingredients flow, you will get there.)
Buon appetito!
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2024...
#Blogging #FoodieFriday #Montreal #BusinessEnglish #LinoMatteo #Smiles #SeoulCooking
Seoul Food: Now We Are Cooking
“Is that a typo,” I thought as I saw this book among the new additions at the Youth section of my local library. Yes, I was with my Associate as they needed to pick up and review some of their favorite books.
I offered for us to look at this one, but they had other items in mind. I decided to sit down and look at it myself. What a delightful discovery. It was intriguing, interesting, charming, and just when I thought, “boy, this would be good if it had the recipes,” there they were. But more on that later.
It is nice to read a youth-centric book that teaches valuable lessons. Sharing, caring, diversity, and food – the importance of food to well being cannot be overstated. Some like it hot; some like it sweet; some like it spicy and some like it salty. Heck, some even like it raw. Seoul Food by author, Erin Danielle Russell, does an excellent job of sharing some of these valuable lessons.
We live in abundant times. There have never been so many people, eating so many calories, in recorded history. Yet, there are still too many who want; too many with wasted calories; too much junk in our food; and too much food tossed into our junk.
Teaching kids the importance, necessity, and wonders of food is critical. As one of my friends explained to me, “it is hard to be angry while you are eating.” Especially if you are eating real food and not the fast kind. If you want to feel wealthy, learn to cook and eat well. Many other things will then fall into place. Try it.
You see Hana learnt that lesson young. She has Afro-American grandparents from South Carolina; and Korean grandparents from Seoul, South Korea – hence the pun in the title. Both sets of grandparents are coming to visit, and Hana decides that she wants to cook a ‘big family dinner.’ But what to cook? She, like a good wannabe Italian, cooks from the heart. Excellent idea Hanna.
She adds some of her favorite ingredients, simmers them slowly to allow the different ingredients to blend their flavors, and she and her heart are happy. Food can do that. You know what else can do that? Sharing a nice meal – note, I said nice, it need not be perfect – with family and loved ones. Them loving the meal, well that is just divine! By the way, Hana made kimchi gumbo, with some sides of rice, corn bread, hot sauce, and gochugaru. Gochugaru? Don’t worry, it is only Korean style chili powder.
The book has a useful glossary for cooking words used in the book.
There is even Hana’s recipe for Kimchi Gumbo:
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chopped sweet onion (about 1 medium)
• 1 ½ cups chopped celery (about two large stalks)
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1 large)
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large)
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 6 ounces chopped andouille sausage
• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Spicy-sweet Korean chili paste)
• 1 ½ cups kimchi (Peppery pickled vegetables, Korea’s national dish)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• ½ pound peeled and deveined raw medium shrimp
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For how to put it together, we suggest that you read the book. It will be worth it. (But if you follow logical steps, as the ingredients flow, you will get there.)
Buon appetito!
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2024...
#Blogging #FoodieFriday #Montreal #BusinessEnglish #LinoMatteo #Smiles #SeoulCooking
August 18, 2024
by Erin Danielle Russell
Illustrations by Tamisha Anthony
Viking
an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC
2024
40 pages
ISBN: 978059346438
Every family, including found families, have foods and dishes with shared experiences and memories. When both sets of grandparents decide to visit Hana's family, she wants to do something nice for all of them. How does she bring two cultural identities together and blend them both into a yummy dish?
Hana remembers eating gumbo in South Carolina with one set of grandparents and she remembers the pot of kimchi-jjigae in her other grandmother's kitchen in South Korea. She wants to honor both sets of grandparents and begins by making a roux. She adds andouille and bell peppers and then adds kimchi and gochujang to make a delicious, aromatic stew.
When the grandparents arrive, they are greeting by the delicious smell of the food. They guess it must be soul food. The others think it smells like Korean food. Hana tells them everyone is right, but it's not soul food, it's Seoul food. The two sides of the family bond over the meal and agree that even though they live a great distance apart, they should visit each other's homes and share their familial bond of love and food.
Seoul Food is a lovely picture book that celebrates the love and laughter that happens over shared food. Different cultures can come together and make a fantastic recipe for happiness.
Highly recommended for every picture book collection and every child, especially those with multiracial families like Hana's.
October 13, 2024
Seoul Food follows a young biracial girl named Hana as she prepares for both sets of her grandparents to visit at the same time. One set are coming from South Korea and the other coming to visit from South Carolina. She has a great idea to cook them a family dinner, however is having difficulty trying to think of a recipe that they both will like.
'I'm close to both my families. But I wish they were closer to each other. Distance and differences get in the way'
Hana's mother tells her the most important thing is to cook something with love. So Hana decides to combine two of her favourite recipes, one from each culture, into a combination dish just like her.
I have one big, happy family with two different cultures from two different parts of the world ... and love is the ingredient that brings us all together'
Erin Danielle Russell does a great job portraying a journey of learning how to cook with love and embrace your many cultures, and as a mother of biracial children I love the message that is being focused on in this book. The book is illustrated by Tamisha Anthony and I really adored her art style, the food illustrations were making my mouth water and my stomach gurgle as I read. I also liked the accuracy in how she depicted a mixed race family and how both Hana and her little sister had various features from each of their parents. I highly recommend this book to families, especially those with their own biracial children who might need to see themselves in a book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for the advanced copy in return for my review
'I'm close to both my families. But I wish they were closer to each other. Distance and differences get in the way'
Hana's mother tells her the most important thing is to cook something with love. So Hana decides to combine two of her favourite recipes, one from each culture, into a combination dish just like her.
I have one big, happy family with two different cultures from two different parts of the world ... and love is the ingredient that brings us all together'
Erin Danielle Russell does a great job portraying a journey of learning how to cook with love and embrace your many cultures, and as a mother of biracial children I love the message that is being focused on in this book. The book is illustrated by Tamisha Anthony and I really adored her art style, the food illustrations were making my mouth water and my stomach gurgle as I read. I also liked the accuracy in how she depicted a mixed race family and how both Hana and her little sister had various features from each of their parents. I highly recommend this book to families, especially those with their own biracial children who might need to see themselves in a book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for the advanced copy in return for my review
March 5, 2024
Hana is a biracial girl from both Black and Korean cultures. Because of the differences, she doesn't always get to see both sides of her family. But when her mother announces that the grandparents on both sides will be coming for dinner, Hana wants to cook the best meal for them. However, nothing feels right even though her parents tell her to go with her heart. In the end, she decides to combine both cultures to create a delicious meal that she hopes everyone will enjoy.
SEOUL FOOD features diverse characters as it brings two very different cultures together to form a happy family. Hana is a very relatable character who just wants to make the people she cares about happy and proud, just like any other child. Food has always been a great way to bring people together. Hana's idea is perfect since it comes from her heart while blending and celebrating both cultures. There's even a recipe for the kimchi gumbo in the back of the book for children to make with their parents which sounds like a tasty bonding moment.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children aged four and up who love cooking and those who come from biracial families. It's also a great way to introduce and teach children about how some people have different cultures and that's okay.
SEOUL FOOD features diverse characters as it brings two very different cultures together to form a happy family. Hana is a very relatable character who just wants to make the people she cares about happy and proud, just like any other child. Food has always been a great way to bring people together. Hana's idea is perfect since it comes from her heart while blending and celebrating both cultures. There's even a recipe for the kimchi gumbo in the back of the book for children to make with their parents which sounds like a tasty bonding moment.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children aged four and up who love cooking and those who come from biracial families. It's also a great way to introduce and teach children about how some people have different cultures and that's okay.
September 29, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Erin Danielle Russell for the E-ARC.
What a delightful little story about a girl who combines both her family cultures to create a new recipe that bonds both sides together. This book is short and sweet. I found the tale to be quite heartwarming as someone who grew up with more than one cultural influence at home. The food we prepared and cooked together forms some of my strongest memories from my own childhood. I think this would be a fun book to read with kids of any age. The illustrative style is simplistic, fun, and well crafted. I really liked that on the last page there is a word guide that shows how to pronounce some of the food names that could be challenging for young readers, as well as a description of them. I wouldn’t expect most non-Korean kids to be familiar with jjigae, so that was a great idea from the author. I am also excited to see a recipe for the kimchi gumbo included on the back and will be making it myself! I may have to come back and edit this review after trying it. Overall excellent and thoughtfully written. I will be getting a couple copies for my nieces and nephews when the book releases.
What a delightful little story about a girl who combines both her family cultures to create a new recipe that bonds both sides together. This book is short and sweet. I found the tale to be quite heartwarming as someone who grew up with more than one cultural influence at home. The food we prepared and cooked together forms some of my strongest memories from my own childhood. I think this would be a fun book to read with kids of any age. The illustrative style is simplistic, fun, and well crafted. I really liked that on the last page there is a word guide that shows how to pronounce some of the food names that could be challenging for young readers, as well as a description of them. I wouldn’t expect most non-Korean kids to be familiar with jjigae, so that was a great idea from the author. I am also excited to see a recipe for the kimchi gumbo included on the back and will be making it myself! I may have to come back and edit this review after trying it. Overall excellent and thoughtfully written. I will be getting a couple copies for my nieces and nephews when the book releases.
May 25, 2024
I love boooks with recipes and this one has one at the end of the story.
But before you get to that, the story profiles Hana, aspiring chef, who is a product of a biracial couple. When her grandparents from both sides announce they are coming for a visit, she aims to creat the perfect dish which everyone can enjoy.She takes cues from the gumbo she tasted at her maternal grandparents' kitchen and recalls the strong flavors found in her paternal grandparents' kimchi-jigae. With determination and love, she creates a fusion gumbo to warm everyone's tummy and heart.
It's a reminder that the best of both worlds can be melded together to form something unique and spectacular--and for many, that bond is strongly shown through food. It is a testament that the way to one's heart is through the stomach... but also more than that.
Can't wait to try that kimchi gumbo (with less heat for me).
But before you get to that, the story profiles Hana, aspiring chef, who is a product of a biracial couple. When her grandparents from both sides announce they are coming for a visit, she aims to creat the perfect dish which everyone can enjoy.She takes cues from the gumbo she tasted at her maternal grandparents' kitchen and recalls the strong flavors found in her paternal grandparents' kimchi-jigae. With determination and love, she creates a fusion gumbo to warm everyone's tummy and heart.
It's a reminder that the best of both worlds can be melded together to form something unique and spectacular--and for many, that bond is strongly shown through food. It is a testament that the way to one's heart is through the stomach... but also more than that.
Can't wait to try that kimchi gumbo (with less heat for me).
February 29, 2024
For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle
A delightfully sweet and delicious story of family, love, culture, and food. Hana is excited for all her grandparents to visit. But one set is from South Korea and the other set is from South Carolina, which leaves Hana wondering what to make for dinner for them all to enjoy.
I loved the creativity of this story. Nice parallels between different ingredients from Korean and Southern cooking. A wonderful representation of some of the similarities among the differences between cultures.
The artwork is beautiful. Absolute perfection.
At the back of the book is a recipe for Hana's creation as well as definitions and pronunciations for some of the words used in the book.
Such a beautiful book sure to make you hungry.
A delightfully sweet and delicious story of family, love, culture, and food. Hana is excited for all her grandparents to visit. But one set is from South Korea and the other set is from South Carolina, which leaves Hana wondering what to make for dinner for them all to enjoy.
I loved the creativity of this story. Nice parallels between different ingredients from Korean and Southern cooking. A wonderful representation of some of the similarities among the differences between cultures.
The artwork is beautiful. Absolute perfection.
At the back of the book is a recipe for Hana's creation as well as definitions and pronunciations for some of the words used in the book.
Such a beautiful book sure to make you hungry.
April 15, 2024
This is a story of a young bi-racial Black and Korean American girl who is trying to make both sets of grandparents happy by cooking one dish which would assimilate both cultures. She wants her families to be close to each other like the way she is close to both of them.
The story is really simple and right for the kids to understand what is going on. Its a good start to bringing different cultures together but at the same time not everything needs to come together in one piece for people to appreciate others. Understanding other cultures and respecting them will also bring people together. The illustrations are really cute and very attractive.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Erin Russell and Viking books for young readers for providing me this eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My rating 3.5 rounded to 4
The story is really simple and right for the kids to understand what is going on. Its a good start to bringing different cultures together but at the same time not everything needs to come together in one piece for people to appreciate others. Understanding other cultures and respecting them will also bring people together. The illustrations are really cute and very attractive.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Erin Russell and Viking books for young readers for providing me this eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My rating 3.5 rounded to 4
May 15, 2024
Seoul Food tells the story of Hana who has grandparents from South Carolina and South Korea. All her grandparents are coming for dinner, and Hana wants to make something everyone will like. However, her grandparents from South Carolina like gumbo while her grandparents from South Korea like kimchi-jjigae, and she has a hard time picking dinner. She then makes Seoul food - a kimchi gumbo, and everyone loves it. The book has beautiful illustrations and great messages about not giving up and love bringing a family together. The story ends with a guide on how to pronounce different words used in the book and their meaning as well as a recipe for Hana's Kimchi Gumbo, which are nice additions. Seoul Food is a great book for children with family from different cultures or children who like learning about other cultures.
Thank you NetGalley for sending this book for review.
Thank you NetGalley for sending this book for review.
August 7, 2024
We are expecting our first grandchild (Korean father and Black mother) later this year, so this book quickly grabbed my attention.
Hana was filled with angst when deciding what to cook when her Korean and Black grandparents visit. The family offered suggestions, but they fell flat. Hana decided to do a Seoul Food Fusion, and that decision was the perfect choice! Everyone loved the food. The recipe is included at the back of the book.
There are many blended cultural families, and it's refreshing to have representation of this in books for children. Food is a common thread for all families and cultures. The fusion of food origins and breaking bread together to accept and honor all family members is priceless.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Hana was filled with angst when deciding what to cook when her Korean and Black grandparents visit. The family offered suggestions, but they fell flat. Hana decided to do a Seoul Food Fusion, and that decision was the perfect choice! Everyone loved the food. The recipe is included at the back of the book.
There are many blended cultural families, and it's refreshing to have representation of this in books for children. Food is a common thread for all families and cultures. The fusion of food origins and breaking bread together to accept and honor all family members is priceless.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2025
Blended family, blended cuisines. What a wonderful story!
Hana's family is Black, and her family is also Korean. All four grandparents are coming for a visit. Hana has been named the chef.
* On one hand, Hana remembers a savory gumbo that she made with Grandma and Grandpa Williams. (They live in South Carolina.)
* On the other hand, Hana recalls a sweet and spicy stew that she made with Grandparents Halmoni and Harabeoji. (Flavors from her trip to Seoul.)
A wonderful plot point, for this Goodreader, is when Haha contemplates an idea from her Dad. He suggests that she cook a casserole. Hana's reaction is ***BLEURGH!***
Inspired, Hana later came up wity a delicious idea for a stew. The family meal was a huge success.
FIVE STARS for a heartwarming story that even includes a recipe at the end: Hana's Recipe for Kimchi gumbo.
Hana's family is Black, and her family is also Korean. All four grandparents are coming for a visit. Hana has been named the chef.
* On one hand, Hana remembers a savory gumbo that she made with Grandma and Grandpa Williams. (They live in South Carolina.)
* On the other hand, Hana recalls a sweet and spicy stew that she made with Grandparents Halmoni and Harabeoji. (Flavors from her trip to Seoul.)
A wonderful plot point, for this Goodreader, is when Haha contemplates an idea from her Dad. He suggests that she cook a casserole. Hana's reaction is ***BLEURGH!***
Inspired, Hana later came up wity a delicious idea for a stew. The family meal was a huge success.
FIVE STARS for a heartwarming story that even includes a recipe at the end: Hana's Recipe for Kimchi gumbo.
April 25, 2024
Young aspiring chef, Hana, is getting a visit from both sets of grandparents, from South Carolina and Seoul, South Korea, and she’s wondering what she can cook to appease both their appetites. I love seeing more children’s books sharing cultures and cuisines from different parts of the world. In Seoul Food, we learn about kimchi-jjigae, a popular stew from Korea, and gumbo, a staple in soul food. We also get a recipe for the dish Hana ultimately creates by using ingredients and techniques from both dishes. The illustrations in this book are colorful and inviting and make me want to spend more time with Hana and her family. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
July 3, 2024
A Delightful Story
I really enjoyed this story. Except for the Korean terms, which are all explained at end, this is an easy story for children to read. The story itself is full of heart and love for family. The illustrations are perfect for the story. It made me laugh and smile when Hana takes turns singing and dancing with her family while she waits on her dish to finish cooking as I’ve seen my grandkids do the same. Our family includes biracial family, as well as a family member who lives in Korea, so this was a particularly fun read for me. And I loved the recipe included at the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest opinions voluntarily given.
I really enjoyed this story. Except for the Korean terms, which are all explained at end, this is an easy story for children to read. The story itself is full of heart and love for family. The illustrations are perfect for the story. It made me laugh and smile when Hana takes turns singing and dancing with her family while she waits on her dish to finish cooking as I’ve seen my grandkids do the same. Our family includes biracial family, as well as a family member who lives in Korea, so this was a particularly fun read for me. And I loved the recipe included at the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest opinions voluntarily given.
February 26, 2024
A child-centric picture book about a biracial Black and Korean girl who learns to celebrate her intersectionality. She loves both sets of her grandparents, but acknowledges they are different and aren't as close as she wishes. But when her mom tells her all the grandparents are coming to visit at the same time, Hana is excited to find something to bring them together -- with food. She thinks and thinks and finally decides to combine her favorite dishes from Harabeoji and Halmoni with her favorites from Grandpa and Grandma -- the result is Seoul Food. A recipe for kimchi-jigae gumbo follows. The is a charming picture book that hits all the right notes.
April 19, 2024
4 stars (I really liked it)
This was such a cute book that shows a biracial girl incorporating all of herself into one dish for her grandparents. It gives me a bit of I Love Saturdays y Domingos vibes along with some Jalapeño Bagels vibes as well. I could definitely use this book for the first grade unit I teach on families.
This was such a cute book that shows a biracial girl incorporating all of herself into one dish for her grandparents. It gives me a bit of I Love Saturdays y Domingos vibes along with some Jalapeño Bagels vibes as well. I could definitely use this book for the first grade unit I teach on families.
July 17, 2024
Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I thought this was a cute little book and a great way to show adaptability and inclusion to young children through something they likely think about a lot (at least the little children I know do), food. I also loved the fact Russell put in a recipe for Hana’s Kimchi Gumbo at the end so we can try it if we wish and it may also help the young readers to try something new.
Favourite Quote:
"I have one bug, happy family with two different cultures from two different parts of the world … and love is the ingredients that brings us all together."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I thought this was a cute little book and a great way to show adaptability and inclusion to young children through something they likely think about a lot (at least the little children I know do), food. I also loved the fact Russell put in a recipe for Hana’s Kimchi Gumbo at the end so we can try it if we wish and it may also help the young readers to try something new.
Favourite Quote:
"I have one bug, happy family with two different cultures from two different parts of the world … and love is the ingredients that brings us all together."
September 11, 2024
I loved this book and wish I had more stories like these growing up as a multiracial child. The illustrations are warm and inviting. I like that both parents try to support their child with different suggestions but then give her space to come up with her own solution. Including Hana's recipe at the end was a great idea as it offers an engaging, hands-on extension. This would be a wonderful addition to picture book collections at home, in schools, and in libraries. For discussion questions and more activity ideas, check out Russell's website.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC.
April 12, 2025
Book 077 of 350 ~ 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I love reading books, any kind of books, where cultures collide in the best way.
Highly recommend this.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book077of350 #netgalley #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I love reading books, any kind of books, where cultures collide in the best way.
Highly recommend this.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book077of350 #netgalley #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
April 13, 2024
Seoul Food was such a cute book about Hana, a Black and Korean Girl. The little girl wants to make her grandparents a special dish they will love, but she can’t think of the perfect meal to make. She ends up following her heart and makes kimchi gumbo.
I absolutely loved the pictures. They are too playful and absolutely wonderful drawings. This is such an amazing book for little kids who love to cook and are biracial.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved the pictures. They are too playful and absolutely wonderful drawings. This is such an amazing book for little kids who love to cook and are biracial.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2024
A cute book about how, even if various parts of your family are from different places and cultures "love is the ingredient that brings us all together." The two represented areas and cultures are South Carolina (that set of grandparents are African American) and South Korea (those grandparents live there but travel to the US to visit).
Our lead character decides to combine elements of Soul Food and Korean food to make her own fusion dish, "Seoul Food." One reason I like this book is because the recipe for the Kimchi Gumbo that our lead character came up with is in the back of the book.
Our lead character decides to combine elements of Soul Food and Korean food to make her own fusion dish, "Seoul Food." One reason I like this book is because the recipe for the Kimchi Gumbo that our lead character came up with is in the back of the book.
May 15, 2024
his is a delightful book about food, family, love, and culture! My little girls and I enjoyed reading it together and seeing how Hana’s family united around food, and how food could be used to bridge cultural differences. The pictures are delightful, as Hana’s family enjoys singing, dancing and working together as they prepare for their visitors. The recipe Hana created is included in the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book fromNetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book fromNetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
May 18, 2024
This book was really cute. It's a great depiction of growing up in a blend of cultures, which is the case for many, many kids in the US. I know for some kids, growing up split between two very different cultures can be overwhelming or confusing, so I liked this story, which celebrates it. It's not a concept that's often depicted so positively in books.
And kimchi gumbo? That kind of sounds like it would slap. Just saying.
The illustrations are delightful and dynamic as well, so kudos to the illustrator!
And kimchi gumbo? That kind of sounds like it would slap. Just saying.
The illustrations are delightful and dynamic as well, so kudos to the illustrator!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews