South Korea is an superb nation. A cultural melting pot that’s the results of quite 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 in the present day. And if you happen to haven’t visited Korea but it is best to positively put it in your record.
Traditional Korean Dishes
Korean meals is predicated so much on grains—in specific rice. From Kimchi fried rice to a candy rice cake, it’s a delicacies that isn’t afraid of just a little spice and makes use of plenty of fermented components. Fish and seafood additionally play an vital function in Korean meals, due to the ocean surrounding the Korean peninsula.
Many South Korean dishes have fascinating histories or cultural significance. A number of the meals listed below are adopted or tailored from different cultures. We can be highlighting some conventional dishes but additionally a few of these trendy takes on Korean Food which have develop into 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 without doubt one of the extra well-known Korean dishes. You have in all probability tried it at dwelling however till you’ve got it in Korea, we are saying you might be lacking out. Bibimbap is a rice-based dish that may include greens, a fried egg, and no matter different protein you want.
If you wish to make it the normal approach then guarantee that every ingredient is sectioned individually in the bowl. Then you’ll be able to combine them collectively earlier than consuming. The finest Bibimbap used greens which have been 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 well-liked Korean dish is which you can get a model with seafood, beef, and tofu—there’s one thing to go well with 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’ll be able to’t miss if you happen to’re visiting South Korea. Its identify means “fire meat” and derives from its methodology of cooking. Bulgogi is made up of thin-cut slices of beef or pork which have been marinated and grilled on a barbecue.
Bulgogi is a kind of easy Korean dishes which you can make at dwelling. The key to a very good Bulgogi is certainly the precise minimize of meat. We like to make use of prime sirloin, however you should use whichever sort of beef you want. Make positive to slice it good and skinny, that approach it’s extra tender, then marinate it in soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. When you prepare dinner it, you wish to hear that sizzle so make certain the grill is de facto scorching.
This dish truly comes from Northern Korea, however in the present day it’s in style in South Korea as properly. 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 considered one of our favorites: Korean Barbecue! Also often known as Gogigui, the sort of 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’ll be able to go to city grilling your personal dinner. It’s an excellent enjoyable method to spend a night and a really social approach of consuming.
Now it’s possible you’ll assume that this sounds so much like Bulgogi however the distinction is that Bulgogi is definitely a sort of Gogigui. The time period Gogigui simply refers back to the follow 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 road meals—it’s tremendous reasonably priced so nice if you happen to’re touring on a finances. It can embrace all types of creative components, together with however not restricted to beef, cheese, omelet, and even pork stomach cutlet.
Another spelling of this dish is “kimbap” with Kim that means seaweed and bap that means rice. It was probably first invented when Korea was below Japanese rule. Although some say it’s an adaptation of the normal dish Bokssam.
5. Kimchi
Kimchi is one other tremendous in style meals in South Korea. It is a mixture of spiced and fermented greens usually served as a aspect 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 had been in style strategies of preserving meals earlier than the invention of recent home equipment corresponding to fridges. What’s attention-grabbing is that it wasn’t at all times 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 personal 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 if you happen to’re visiting South Korea you’ll little doubt see it on menus in every single place.
Saengseon Jjigae is a fish stew that consists normally of chicken fish and sometimes prawns or different shellfish. If you’re a lover of fish you then’ve acquired to verify to do that dish!
Making this at dwelling just isn’t that straightforward, 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 all the pieces prepare dinner collectively for a couple of minutes till the flavors have melded collectively.
7. Sundubu-jjigae (delicate tofu stew)
If you’d prefer to strive a Korean stew (or jjigae) however you don’t eat meat or fish, you’ll be able to at all times strive Sundubu Jjigae, a variation of the normal stew that’s made with tofu. Fish, kimchi, and beef will also be added to this dish if you happen to like.
A Korean principal meal will nearly at all times include some type of jjigae—that’s how a lot of a staple it’s! So if you happen to’re in a restaurant there’s a very good probability you’ll get to strive it. This dish is assumed so far again to historical occasions, although not too long ago extra trendy 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 without doubt one of the hottest road snacks in South Korea and it’s not laborious to see why! It can embrace additions corresponding 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 in search of some tasty breakfast after you’ve shaken off your jet lag, we’ve acquired the proper dish for you. Gilgeori toast is what most younger South Koreans will seize for breakfast on their method 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 in style road meals could sound loopy, however one way or the other, it actually works!
10. Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)
Another in style 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 delicate, cylindrical, and deliciously chewy.
To make Tteokbokki, first, the rice truffles and fish truffles are boiled till they’re delicate and tender. Then, the crimson pepper sauce, which is made with gochujang (Korean crimson 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 quite a lot of totally different varieties, from curry to cream sauce and all the pieces in between. This candy and spicy dish might be not like something you’ve tried earlier than, but it surely’s too good to cross up. This dish is especially in style on the streets of Seoul, so don’t neglect to look out if you happen to’re visiting.
11. Soondae (Korean blood sausage)
No, we’re not speaking about ice cream and sauce right here, so if you happen to see this on a menu in Korea, don’t make this error! Sundae is in reality a blood sausage just like the sort you may get in a full Irish breakfast if you happen to’re visiting the emerald isle.
This dish is normally made by steaming cow or pig intestines and stuffing them with varied components. It’s not for the faint-hearted, however if you happen to’re an adventurous eater it’s positively one to strive.
12. Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles)
This is one other dish that exemplifies the South Korean penchant for the mixture of candy and savory. It’s constructed 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 corresponding 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 personal 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 lightweight, fluffy, little loaf of sweet-tasting bread that accommodates an entire egg inside. Common toppings embrace ham, cheese, or recent herbs corresponding to parsley.
14. Nakji Bokkeum (Spicy Octopus)
Nakji-Bokkeum is one other dish that could be finest left to adventurous eaters, and if you happen to’re not a fan of fish, you’ll be able to in all probability give it a miss. Still, it’s an exceedingly in style dish in South Korea, and it’s positively price trying out.
Nakji-Bokkeum is a spicy dish constructed from stir-fried octopus. It’s believed to be a comparatively latest addition to the South Korean eating regimen, relationship 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 constructed 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 referred to as Hangover Soup, is a standard 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 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 can be hard-pressed to make this at dwelling, however you may give it a strive with this recipe.
Haejangguk is normally served with rice, kimchi, and pickled greens. If you might be in Seoul you’ll positively 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 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 combination of soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil. Finally, grill it on a scorching plate or barbecue till it’s cooked by way of and barely crispy on the skin.
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 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 corresponding 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 by way of and coated with the kimchi and vegetable combination. Some variations of this Fried Rice could embrace different components corresponding 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 will also be garnished with further chopped inexperienced onions and sesame seeds for added taste.
19. Steamed Mandu Dumplings (Jjinmandu)
Jjinmandu is a sort 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 corresponding 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 could embrace 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 by way of and the wrapper is tender.
Jjinmandu is commonly served with a dipping sauce constructed from soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. The dish will be loved as a snack or as a principal 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 standard dish in Korea and is commonly served as a principal course, particularly through the winter. The dish has an extended 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 by way of 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 rooster, also referred to as KFC, is a well-liked Korean dish that consists of fried rooster coated in a crispy, crunchy batter and sometimes served with a spicy or candy sauce. The distinction between Korean fried rooster and different sorts of fried rooster is using a double-frying method that creates an extra-crispy exterior whereas maintaining the meat juicy and tender on the within.
Once the rooster is absolutely cooked and crispy, it’s sometimes served with a candy and spicy sauce made with Korean chili paste, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Korean fried rooster is a well-liked Korean road meals and yow will discover it nearly anyplace 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 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 commonly 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 standard Korean soup made with an entire younger rooster, ginseng, jujubes, and different medicinal herbs. The dish is commonly 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, an entire younger rooster is full of glutinous rice and varied herbs like ginseng, jujubes, and garlic. The rooster 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 rooster. 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 enchanting 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 suggestions, don’t neglect to take a look at the remainder of our posts now!