South Korea is an superb nation. A cultural melting pot that’s the results of a lot of totally different influences, from the colonial powers that at one time occupied it to the distinctive panorama and local weather it boasts. It’s the confluence of those elements which have created the customs, attitudes, and meals tradition that exists there at the moment. And in the event you haven’t visited Korea but it’s best to undoubtedly put it in your checklist.
Traditional Korean Dishes
Korean meals is predicated quite a bit on grains—in specific rice. From Kimchi fried rice to a candy rice cake, it’s a delicacies that isn’t afraid of slightly spice and makes use of a whole lot of fermented components. Fish and seafood additionally play an necessary position in Korean meals, due to the ocean surrounding the Korean peninsula.
Many South Korean dishes have fascinating histories or cultural significance. Loads of the meals listed here are adopted or tailored from different cultures. We will probably be highlighting some conventional dishes but additionally a few of these trendy takes on Korean Food which have turn into actually standard in the USA.
It is time to start out your meals journey in Korea. We can’t wait to indicate you a few of our all-time favourite dishes.
1. Bibimbap (Korean Rice Bowl)
Bibimbap is without doubt one of the extra well-known Korean dishes. You have in all probability tried it at dwelling however till you might have it in Korea, we are saying you’re lacking out. Bibimbap is a rice-based dish that may encompass greens, a fried egg, and no matter different protein you want.
If you need to make it the normal manner then guarantee that every ingredient is sectioned individually in the bowl. Then you possibly can combine them collectively earlier than consuming. The greatest Bibimbap used greens which were blanched or sautéed with sesame oil and soy sauce, and meat that has been marinated earlier than being cooked. I just like the egg to be sunny-side up after which I prime it with sesame seeds, spicy sauce, and scallions. Sounds superb proper?
The advantage of this being such a preferred Korean dish is which you can get a model with seafood, beef, and tofu—there’s one thing to swimsuit all tastes! If you go to Korea you’ll discover that totally different areas have their very own takes on this dish.
2. Bulgogi (marinated beef barbecue)
Bulgogi is a dish you possibly can’t miss in the event you’re visiting South Korea. Its identify means “fire meat” and derives from its technique of cooking. Bulgogi is made up of thin-cut slices of beef or pork which were marinated and grilled on a barbecue.
Bulgogi is a type of easy Korean dishes which you can make at dwelling. The key to a superb Bulgogi is certainly the suitable reduce of meat. We like to make use of prime sirloin, however you should use whichever sort of beef you want. Make certain to slice it good and skinny, that manner it’s extra tender, then marinate it in soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. When you cook dinner it, you need to hear that sizzle so make sure that the grill is actually scorching.
This dish really comes from Northern Korea, however at the moment it’s standard in South Korea as effectively. This is a scrumptious and unpretentious dish that you simply’ll discover in most quick meals and BBQ eating places throughout South Korea.
3. Korean barbecue (Gogigui )
Speaking of BBQ, we couldn’t do an inventory of Korean meals with out together with one among our favorites: Korean Barbecue! Also often called Gogigui, this kind of meals is as enjoyable to eat as it’s scrumptious.
At Korean Barbecue eating places, you order your meat, you’re given a number of veggies, after which you possibly can go to city grilling your individual dinner. It’s a brilliant enjoyable strategy to spend a night and a really social manner of consuming.
Now it’s possible you’ll assume that this sounds quite a bit like Bulgogi however the distinction is that Bulgogi is definitely a kind of Gogigui. The time period Gogigui simply refers back to the apply of grilling or roasting meat in Korean delicacies.
4. Gimbap: Korean Seaweed Rice Rolls
If you’re a fan of sushi then you definitely’ve bought to strive gimbap. Gimbap is the Korean tackle sushi and it’s most frequently loved as road meals—it’s tremendous inexpensive so nice in the event you’re touring on a price range. It can embody all kinds of ingenious components, together with however not restricted to beef, cheese, omelet, and even pork stomach cutlet.
Another spelling of this dish is “kimbap” with Kim which means seaweed and bap which means rice. It was almost certainly first invented when Korea was underneath Japanese rule. Although some say it’s an adaptation of the normal dish Bokssam.
5. Kimchi
Kimchi is one other tremendous standard meals in South Korea. It is a mixture of spiced and fermented greens usually served as a facet dish. It is fabricated from cabbage, carrots inexperienced peppers, radish, and spring onions.
We know that it’s been round since historical occasions, with written accounts of it showing as early as the first century. Pickling and fermenting have been standard strategies of preserving meals earlier than the invention of recent home equipment equivalent to fridges. What’s fascinating is that it wasn’t all the time spicy, the warmth was solely added after Portuguese merchants launched chilis to the area in the fifteenth century.
You could make so many alternative Korean dishes utilizing it. There is kimchi stew (kimchi jjigae), kimchi pancake (kimchi jeon), and kimchi fried rice simply to call a number of. Make your individual Kimchi with this scrumptious recipe!
6. Saengseon Jjigae (Spicy Fish Stew)
We talked about above that seafood and fish are main staples of South Korean delicacies, and so are soups and stews. This dish brings collectively each of those ideas and in the event you’re visiting South Korea you’ll little question see it on menus in every single place.
Saengseon Jjigae is a fish stew that consists often of chicken fish and sometimes prawns or different shellfish. If you’re a lover of fish then you definitely’ve bought to ensure to do that dish!
Making this at dwelling shouldn’t be that straightforward, however if you wish to give it a strive you mainly reduce the fish into bite-sized items, mud in flour, and pan fry till it’s crispy.
The broth is made with anchovy paste and kelp in water to make a flavorful inventory. Then throw in some spicy chili paste, garlic, soy sauce, and different seasonings, to present it a wealthy and spicy taste.
Finally, you mix the inventory with no matter greens you want and let it simmer till they’re cooked. Finally, add in the fish, together with some chopped scallions, and let every part cook dinner collectively for a couple of minutes till the flavors have melded collectively.
7. Sundubu-jjigae (gentle tofu stew)
If you’d wish to strive a Korean stew (or jjigae) however you don’t eat meat or fish, you possibly can all the time strive Sundubu Jjigae, a variation of the normal stew that’s made with tofu. Fish, kimchi, and beef may also be added to this dish in the event you like.
A Korean principal meal will virtually all the time include some type of jjigae—that’s how a lot of a staple it’s! So in the event you’re in a restaurant there’s a superb probability you’ll get to strive it. This dish is assumed so far again to historical occasions, although lately extra trendy diversifications have been invented as effectively.
8. Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancakes)
From the very savory to the tremendous candy, Hotteok is a kind of pancake oozing with candy syrup. This is without doubt one of the hottest road snacks in South Korea and it’s not laborious to see why! It can embody additions equivalent to crushed peanuts or cinnamon, and it’s often eaten in the course of the winter months to warmth up chilly commuters on chilly mornings.
9. Gilgeori Toast
If you’re in search of some tasty breakfast after you’ve shaken off your jet lag, we’ve bought the proper dish for you. Gilgeori toast is what most younger South Koreans will seize for breakfast on their strategy to work. It’s savory, candy, filling, and scrumptious.
Its principal components are egg, cabbage, and grated carrots. Ketchup, mayonnaise, and sugar—sure sugar—are different frequent additions. This standard road meals might sound loopy, however in some way, it actually works!
10. Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)
Another standard Korean road meals, Tteokbokki is sliced rice truffles—although not as them. Far from the crunchy disks of puffed-up rice, this time period conjures up, these rice truffles are gentle, cylindrical, and deliciously chewy.
To make Tteokbokki, first, the rice truffles and fish truffles are boiled till they’re gentle and tender. Then, the pink pepper sauce, which is made with gochujang (Korean pink pepper paste), garlic, soy sauce, and sugar, is added to the pot. The combination is simmered till the sauce thickens and coats the rice truffles and fish truffles.
Tteokbokki comes in a lot of totally different varieties, from curry to cream sauce and every part in between. This candy and spicy dish might be in contrast to something you’ve tried earlier than, however it’s too good to go up. This dish is especially standard on the streets of Seoul, so don’t overlook to look out in the event you’re visiting.
11. Soondae (Korean blood sausage)
No, we’re not speaking about ice cream and sauce right here, so in the event you see this on a menu in Korea, don’t make this error! Sundae is in truth a blood sausage just like the sort you would possibly get in a full Irish breakfast in the event you’re visiting the emerald isle.
This dish is often made by steaming cow or pig intestines and stuffing them with varied components. It’s not for the faint-hearted, however in the event you’re an adventurous eater it’s undoubtedly one to strive.
12. Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles)
This is one other dish that exemplifies the South Korean penchant for the mix of candy and savory. It’s created from glass noodles and sometimes accommodates mushrooms, carrots, spinach, and different veggies. It was as soon as a dish reserved for royalty, and it’s now frequent to eat at celebrations equivalent to weddings or birthdays.
There is nothing like a dish of glass noodles stir-fried in sesame oil and garnished with toasted sesame seeds to get your mouth watering. Try making your individual at dwelling with this recipe!
13. Gyeranppang (Egg Bread)
If you’re a lover of all issues wealthy, then Gyeranppang is the dish for you. The identify of this road snack interprets to “egg bread” and that’s precisely what it’s.
A light-weight, fluffy, little loaf of sweet-tasting bread that accommodates a complete egg inside. Common toppings embody ham, cheese, or contemporary herbs equivalent to parsley.
14. Nakji Bokkeum (Spicy Octopus)
Nakji-Bokkeum is one other dish that is perhaps greatest left to adventurous eaters, and in the event you’re not a fan of fish, you possibly can in all probability give it a miss. Still, it’s an exceedingly standard dish in South Korea, and it’s undoubtedly value testing.
Nakji-Bokkeum is a spicy dish created from stir-fried octopus. It’s believed to be a comparatively latest addition to the South Korean food plan, relationship again to across the mid-1900s.
15. Yaksik (Sweet Rice)
Finally, now we have a candy dish that’s standard all through South Korea. Yaksik is created from steamed rice, honey, and dried fruits. It additionally usually contains cinnamon and even soy sauce.
This dish dates again to across the thirteenth century. Today, it’s historically served up on Jeongwol Daeboreum, a Korean vacation. It can also be loved at weddings.
16. Hangover Stew (Haejangguk)
Haejangguk, also called Hangover Soup, is a conventional Korean soup that’s believed to assist treatment hangovers. The identify Haejangguk interprets to “soup to chase a hangover.” The soup is made with pork bones and a wide range of greens like bean sprouts, Napa cabbage, and radish. The soup additionally accommodates a wide range of spices and seasonings, like garlic, ginger, and Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes).
I’d say you may be hard-pressed to make this at dwelling, however you can provide it a strive with this recipe.
Haejangguk is often served with rice, kimchi, and pickled greens. If you’re in Seoul you’ll undoubtedly see Koreans consuming this after an evening of heavy ingesting to assist alleviate the signs of a hangover the following day. Does it work? Let’s simply say we imagine.
17. Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly)
Samgyeopsal is a well-liked Korean dish that consists of grilled pork stomach slices. The identify “samgyeopsal” interprets to “three-layered flesh,” which refers back to the three layers of fats and meat on a pork stomach. The dish is served with a wide range of facet dishes, together with lettuce leaves, sliced garlic, ssamjang (a spicy soybean paste), and grilled onions.
To make Samgyeopsal, first, a thick reduce of pork stomach is sliced into skinny, bite-sized items. Then marinate it in a combination of soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil. Finally, grill it on a scorching plate or barbecue till it’s cooked via and barely crispy on the surface.
The closing step in this scrumptious dish is to position it on a lettuce leaf together with some garlic, ssamjang, and grilled onions, wrap it up, and eat it in one chew.
18. Kimchi Fried Rice
Kimchi Fried Rice is a well-liked Korean dish that’s made by stir-frying cooked rice with kimchi and different components. The dish is commonly served as a fast and straightforward meal or as a facet dish to accompany different Korean dishes.
To make the Fried Rice, first, cooked rice is required. Leftover rice works effectively, as it’s barely drier and simpler to stir-fry. Kimchi is then chopped into small items and combined with different components equivalent to diced onions, carrots, and inexperienced onions.
In a pan or wok, oil is heated over medium-high warmth. The kimchi and vegetable combination is added to the pan and stir-fried till the greens are softened. The cooked rice is then added to the pan and stir-fried till it’s heated via and coated with the kimchi and vegetable combination. Some variations of this Fried Rice might embody different components equivalent to diced ham, bacon, or tofu.
It is commonly served with a fried egg on prime, which provides a creamy texture to the dish. The dish may also be garnished with extra chopped inexperienced onions and sesame seeds for added taste.
19. Steamed Mandu Dumplings (Jjinmandu)
Jjinmandu is a kind of Korean dumpling that’s usually full of meat and greens. The dumpling is just like a Chinese-style jiaozi or Japanese-style gyoza however with its personal distinctive taste and texture.
To make Jjinmandu, first, a filling is ready by mixing floor pork or beef with greens equivalent to garlic, onion, carrot, and inexperienced onion. The filling is seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to style. Some different sorts of Jjinmandu might embody tofu, kimchi, or different components.
Next, small circles of dumpling wrapper dough are rolled out and full of the meat and vegetable combination. The edges of the wrapper are then pinched collectively to seal the filling inside. The dumplings are then steamed or boiled till they’re cooked via and the wrapper is tender.
Jjinmandu is commonly served with a dipping sauce created from soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. The dish might be loved as a snack or as a principal course and is standard all through Korea.
20. Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
Kimchi Jjigae is a well-liked Korean stew made with fermented kimchi, pork, tofu, and different greens. Kimchi Jjigae is a conventional dish in Korea and is commonly served as a principal course, particularly in the course of the winter. The dish has an extended historical past and was first made in the course of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) when households would ferment their very own kimchi in massive earthenware jars referred to as Onggi.
To make Kimchi Jjigae, first, the kimchi is chopped into small items and added to a pot together with sliced pork and tofu. Other greens like onion, garlic, and inexperienced onions are additionally added, together with some water or broth. The stew is simmered till the pork is cooked via and the greens are tender. The ensuing dish is hearty and warming, with a tangy and spicy taste from the fermented kimchi.
21. Korean Fried Chicken
Korean fried hen, also called KFC, is a well-liked Korean dish that consists of fried hen coated in a crispy, crunchy batter and usually served with a spicy or candy sauce. The distinction between Korean fried hen and different sorts of fried hen is the usage of a double-frying method that creates an extra-crispy exterior whereas maintaining the meat juicy and tender on the within.
Once the hen is absolutely cooked and crispy, it’s usually served with a candy and spicy sauce made with Korean chili paste, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Korean fried hen is a well-liked Korean road meals and yow will discover it virtually wherever in South Korea.
22. Jjajangmyeon (Noodles in Black-Bean Sauce)
Jjajangmyeon is a well-liked Korean-Chinese dish made with wheat noodles, black bean sauce, and varied greens like onions, zucchini, and potatoes. The dish has an extended historical past in Korea and was first launched in the course of the early twentieth century by Chinese immigrants who settled in Korea.
To make Jjajangmyeon, first, the black bean sauce is ready by frying diced pork stomach with chopped onions and black bean paste. Vegetables like zucchini and potatoes are then added to the pot and cooked till tender. The ensuing sauce is thick and savory with a touch of sweetness.
The wheat noodles are then cooked and served with the black bean sauce on prime. The dish is commonly garnished with sliced cucumber and a drizzle of sesame oil. Jjajangmyeon is standard in Korea due to its wealthy and savory taste and satisfying texture.
23. Samgyetang (Chicken Ginseng Soup)
Samgyetang is a conventional Korean soup made with a complete younger hen, ginseng, jujubes, and different medicinal herbs. The dish is commonly eaten in the course of the summer time months in Korea and is believed to have well being advantages like boosting the immune system and growing stamina.
So, how do you make Samgyetang? First, a complete younger hen is filled with glutinous rice and varied herbs like ginseng, jujubes, and garlic. The hen is then boiled in a pot with water till it’s absolutely cooked and the broth is wealthy and flavorful.
The ensuing soup is thick and hearty, with a fragile taste from the herbs and tender meat from the hen. Samgyetang is a well-liked dish in Korea and is commonly served in Korean eating places and as part of conventional Korean delicacies.
Our Favorite South Korean Cuisine
South Korea is an interesting and culturally wealthy nation and Korean meals does an incredible job of reflecting this. There are so many alternative dishes to strive, and the above characterize just some of our favorites. If you’re in search of extra journey ideas, don’t overlook to take a look at the remainder of our posts now!