This Drama is quite long compared to the other korean ones out there. (It's 54 1-hour episodes or in some other countries it's 70 45-minute episodes). But believe me, it will go by so fast, you're going to wish that it never ended.
I'm not going to go into too much details about the actual story itself (I'm going to leave it to you to watch it and enjoy every bit of it).
The story takes place around the mid-1400s to mid 1500s, during the Chosun Dynasty era. The main character Lady Suh Jang Geum (acted by Lee Young-ae) dreams of entering the palace to become the highest kitchen lady.
Images of her dressed in different hanboks...
She begins her life in the palace as a court lady and learns about many methods of cooking and various ingredients.
Jang Geum and her friend Yeung Seng concentrates on the dishes being made in the kitchen.
Jang Geum discovers something and discusses it with Keum Yeuong (another court lady who entered the palace the same time)
Jang Geum smiles and follows her teacher Lady Han...
Even though it's a drama about food and medicine, there are fierce compeitions throughout the story, here Jang Geum competes with Keum Yeuong in a food competition...oh...the food, you're going to love the food -- You're going to want to go out to your local korean town,(if you're lucky enough to have one nearby you), and start eating some of these delicious dishes. Some of the dishes in the series are still served today, you just have to know where to go. (or ask any of your korean buddies to take for some cold noodles-the buckwheat one on a hot day, or sol long tang, their classic beef broth noodle on a cold day...)
Sir Min is always behind Lady suh no matter what happens...even if it meant death.
Another picture of Lady Suh, here you could really appreciate the beautiful hanboks. It helps that the actress is so beautiful herself. :)
At times when Jang Geum is so happy, it will make you happy as well. 
Through all the joys and struggles of lady suh, she becomes Dae Jang Geum.
The production of this series is amazing. The sets are so well made and the scenes are so beautiful. The music is also another major piece of this wonderful drama.
I could go on and ramble about how great the series is, but some of you might think I'm just out of mind, so I decided to post some statistics (found from various sources)
In Korea, the series aired from September 2003 to March 2004 broke many viewer ratings. The average viewer rating was 47% and reached 57% on its final episode. (Only 4 other dramas has ever reached 50% rating since 2000).
In Hong Kong, it broke all records. The series itself had a viewer rating of 47 percent, the Dae jang geum Special was 43 percent and Dae jang geum prologue was 38 percent. Dae Jang Geum has or will make its way to other countries such as Taiwan, singapore, malaysia, Japan and Middle east.
As you've noticed the unbelievable statistics above, this isn't just your typical drama series. It has drawn young and old, male and female viewers with its addictive storyline, its wonderful cast (All the cast did such a wonderful job, that after the series, they were given many contracts to do other series), nice music, and beautiful sets.
This is really a journey which you follow the life of Jang Geum. She will take you with her and make you laugh, cry, happy, at times even jump out of your seat and root for her. This series has truly been the best series I've ever seen, and I'm glad that many people around the world had the chance to enjoy it as much as I did...
Sources:
http://daejanggeum.blogsome.com/
http://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Dae_Jang_Geum.php
http://www.xanga.com/suprob/DJG
