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Poppy seeds are illegal in Korea

I wanted to make my favourite Christmas desert

Posted by Jeena

Makówka

I'm born in Upper Silesia (which is former Germany but now Poland) and for Christmas there is a super delicious desert called Makówka and I was on Coupang ordering all the things from my grocery list for the traditional Christmas diner

Dish English In Korean
Borscht Beets 비트루트
Sugar 백설탕
Vinegar 백식초
Eggs 신선란
Heavy Cream 휘핑크림
Pickle Soup Pickled Cucumbers 오이피클
Carrots 국내산 당근
Potatoes 국내산 감자
Potato Pancakes Potatoes 국내산 감자
Potato Starch 감자전분
Mushrooms 양송이버섯
Heavy Cream 휘핑크림
Potato Salad Pickled Cucumbers 오이피클
Potatoes 국내산 감자
Carrots 국내산 당근
Mayonnaise 백설 마요네즈
Peas 캔 완두콩
Fish Carp 활잉어
Trout 활송어
Poppy Seed Dish Poppy Seeds 양귀비 씨앗
Sweet Bread 브리오슈 빵
Milk 멸균우유
Sugar 백설탕
Almonds 슬라이스 아몬드
Walnuts 껍질 벗긴 호두
Raisins 골든 레이즌

At the end I tried to order the poppy seeds which are the main ingredient of the desert.

And by main ingredient I mean you need like 3 kg of it. In Poland and Germany you just buy it in the supermarket, they sell it in 500g packages. I lived in Sweden and there it was already difficult because they only sold it in 30g packages and it was somehow expensive, so that I always brought some from Germany to have in storage.

Mak

Anyway I couldn't find it at all, and then I asked ChatGTP where I could buy it in Korea and it told me:

In Korean, "mak" (poppy seeds) is referred to as 양귀비 씨앗. However, it's important to note that poppy seeds are classified as narcotics in South Korea, and their possession or importation is strictly prohibited. Attempting to order or bring poppy seeds into the country can lead to serious legal consequences, including fines or imprisonment. Therefore, it's advisable to avoid purchasing or attempting to import poppy seeds while in South Korea.

And as the source it linked to a this New York Post article.

God damn it, so no Makówka for me this year ...

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