South Korea is an superb nation. A cultural melting pot that’s the results of plenty 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 right now. And in the event you haven’t visited Korea but you must undoubtedly put it in your record.
Traditional Korean Dishes
Korean meals is predicated quite a bit on grains—in explicit 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 number of fermented components. Fish and seafood additionally play an essential position in Korean meals, due to the ocean surrounding the Korean peninsula.
Many South Korean dishes have fascinating histories or cultural significance. A variety of the meals listed here are adopted or tailored from different cultures. We will likely be highlighting some conventional dishes but additionally a few of these fashionable takes on Korean Food which have turn out to be actually in style 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 likely one of the extra well-known Korean dishes. You have most likely tried it at residence however till you’ve gotten it in Korea, we are saying you’re lacking out. Bibimbap is a rice-based dish that may include greens, a fried egg, and no matter different protein you want.
If you need to make it the standard manner then make it possible for every ingredient is sectioned individually in the bowl. Then you possibly can combine them collectively earlier than consuming. The finest 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 benefit of this being such a preferred Korean dish is that you would be able to 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 title 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 that you would be able to make at residence. The key to a very good Bulgogi is unquestionably the precise minimize of meat. We like to make use of prime sirloin, however you should utilize whichever kind of beef you want. Make positive 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 be certain the grill is de facto scorching.
This dish really comes from Northern Korea, however right now it’s in style in South Korea as properly. This is a scrumptious and unpretentious dish that you just’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 in every of our favorites: Korean Barbecue! Also often called Gogigui, any such meals is as enjoyable to eat as it’s scrumptious.
At Korean Barbecue eating places, you order your meat, you’re given a choice of veggies, after which you possibly can go to city grilling your individual dinner. It’s an excellent enjoyable approach to spend a night and a really social manner of consuming.
Now you might assume that this sounds quite a bit like Bulgogi however the distinction is that Bulgogi is definitely a sort 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 you then’ve acquired to strive gimbap. Gimbap is the Korean tackle sushi and it’s most frequently loved as avenue meals—it’s tremendous reasonably priced so nice in the event you’re touring on a finances. It can embody all types 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 most certainly first invented when Korea was underneath Japanese rule. Although some say it’s an adaptation of the standard dish Bokssam.
5. Kimchi
Kimchi is one other tremendous in style meals in South Korea. It is a mixture of spiced and fermented greens typically served as a aspect dish. It is made from cabbage, carrots inexperienced peppers, radish, and spring onions.
We know that it’s been round since historical instances, with written accounts of it showing as early as the first century. Pickling and fermenting have been in style 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 couple 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 all over the place.
Saengseon Jjigae is a fish stew that consists normally of chicken fish and infrequently prawns or different shellfish. If you’re a lover of fish you then’ve acquired to verify to do that dish!
Making this at residence isn’t that simple, however if you wish to give it a strive you principally minimize 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 provide 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 little thing cook dinner collectively for a couple of minutes till the flavors have melded collectively.
7. Sundubu-jjigae (tender 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 standard stew that’s made with tofu. Fish, kimchi, and beef can be added to this dish in the event you like.
A Korean important 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 very good likelihood you’ll get to strive it. This dish is believed to this point again to historical instances, although just lately extra fashionable variations have been invented as properly.
8. Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancakes)
From the very savory to the tremendous candy, Hotteok is a sort of pancake oozing with candy syrup. This is likely one of the hottest avenue snacks in South Korea and it’s not exhausting to see why! It can embody additions equivalent to crushed peanuts or cinnamon, and it’s normally eaten through the winter months to warmth up chilly commuters on chilly mornings.
9. Gilgeori Toast
If you’re searching for some tasty breakfast after you’ve shaken off your jet lag, we’ve acquired the right dish for you. Gilgeori toast is what most younger South Koreans will seize for breakfast on their approach to work. It’s savory, candy, filling, and scrumptious.
Its important components are egg, cabbage, and grated carrots. Ketchup, mayonnaise, and sugar—sure sugar—are different widespread additions. This in style avenue meals might sound loopy, however by some means, it actually works!
10. Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)
Another in style Korean avenue 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 tender, cylindrical, and deliciously chewy.
To make Tteokbokki, first, the rice truffles and fish truffles are boiled till they’re tender and tender. Then, the purple pepper sauce, which is made with gochujang (Korean purple 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 plenty of totally different varieties, from curry to cream sauce and every little thing in between. This candy and spicy dish might be not like something you’ve tried earlier than, however it’s too good to move up. This dish is especially in style on the streets of Seoul, so don’t neglect 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 reality a blood sausage just like the kind you may get in a full Irish breakfast in the event you’re visiting the emerald isle.
This dish is normally made by steaming cow or pig intestines and stuffing them with numerous 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 made out of glass noodles and infrequently accommodates mushrooms, carrots, spinach, and different veggies. It was as soon as a dish reserved for royalty, and it’s now widespread 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 residence with this recipe!
13. Gyeranppang (Egg Bread)
If you’re a lover of all issues wealthy, then Gyeranppang is the dish for you. The title of this avenue snack interprets to “egg bread” and that’s precisely what it’s.
A lightweight, 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 may be finest left to adventurous eaters, and in the event you’re not a fan of fish, you possibly can most likely give it a miss. Still, it’s an exceedingly in style dish in South Korea, and it’s undoubtedly value testing.
Nakji-Bokkeum is a spicy dish made out of stir-fried octopus. It’s believed to be a comparatively current addition to the South Korean eating regimen, courting again to across the mid-1900s.
15. Yaksik (Sweet Rice)
Finally, now we have a candy dish that’s in style all through South Korea. Yaksik is made out of steamed rice, honey, and dried fruits. It additionally typically 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 referred to as Hangover Soup, is a conventional Korean soup that’s believed to assist treatment hangovers. The title Haejangguk interprets to “soup to chase a hangover.” The soup is made with pork bones and quite a lot of greens like bean sprouts, Napa cabbage, and radish. The soup additionally accommodates quite a lot of spices and seasonings, like garlic, ginger, and Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes).
I’d say you may be hard-pressed to make this at residence, however you can provide it a strive with this recipe.
Haejangguk is normally 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 consider.
17. Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly)
Samgyeopsal is a well-liked Korean dish that consists of grilled pork stomach slices. The title “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 quite a lot of aspect dishes, together with lettuce leaves, sliced garlic, ssamjang (a spicy soybean paste), and grilled onions.
To make Samgyeopsal, first, a thick minimize of pork stomach is sliced into skinny, bite-sized items. Then marinate it in a mix 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 remaining 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 chunk.
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 usually served as a fast and simple meal or as a aspect dish to accompany different Korean dishes.
To make the Fried Rice, first, cooked rice is required. Leftover rice works properly, 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 usually served with a fried egg on prime, which provides a creamy texture to the dish. The dish can be garnished with extra chopped inexperienced onions and sesame seeds for added taste.
19. Steamed Mandu Dumplings (Jjinmandu)
Jjinmandu is a sort of Korean dumpling that’s typically stuffed with 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 varieties of Jjinmandu might embody tofu, kimchi, or different components.
Next, small circles of dumpling wrapper dough are rolled out and stuffed with 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 usually served with a dipping sauce made out of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. The dish will be loved as a snack or as a important course and is in style 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 usually served as a important course, particularly through the winter. The dish has a protracted historical past and was first made through the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) when households would ferment their very own kimchi in massive earthenware jars known 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 referred to as 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 varieties of fried hen is the usage of a double-frying method that creates an extra-crispy exterior whereas preserving the meat juicy and tender on the within.
Once the hen is totally 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 avenue meals and you’ll find 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 numerous greens like onions, zucchini, and potatoes. The dish has a protracted historical past in Korea and was first launched through 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 usually garnished with sliced cucumber and a drizzle of sesame oil. Jjajangmyeon is in style 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 usually eaten through the summer time months in Korea and is believed to have well being advantages like boosting the immune system and rising stamina.
So, how do you make Samgyetang? First, a complete younger hen is full of glutinous rice and numerous herbs like ginseng, jujubes, and garlic. The hen is then boiled in a pot with water till it’s totally 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 usually 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 signify only a few of our favorites. If you’re searching for extra journey ideas, don’t neglect to take a look at the remainder of our posts now!