Do you like Korean food ? Welcome to this article which will introduce you to this culinary world and whet your taste buds ! If you are already a connoisseur of this food, you will realize that there is so much more than Kimchi. Like all Asian cuisine , Korean cuisine has evolved through years of social and political change. Unlike Western dishes , it offers main and side dishes . Traditional Korean cuisine consists of five main colors : green, red, yellow, white and black. Each of themsignifies a direction, a natural element, and a health benefit.
For those who want to try Korean food and don’t know where to start, here is a list of all Korean dishes to put on your “Try it!” list.
1. Bibimbap (Rice bowl)
Bibimbap was created as a royaldish in the years of yore, but slowly it became the favorite staple lunch meal among Korean dishes.
For those who find comfort in food bowls, Bibimbap will surely leave you feeling full and comforted. Bibimbap is a tasty mix of rice, vegetables (carrots, cucumbers), thinly sliced beef, gochujang (hot chili paste), and a fried egg seasoned with soy sauce and sesame seeds.
2. Japchae (Stir-fried glass noodles)
Arguably Korea’s favorite noodle dish, Japchae is glass noodles stirred in sesame oil with beef, mushrooms, and an assortment of other vegetables. These clear, thin noodles are made with sweet potato. These fine pastes are translucent and are pleasant to eat. It is a dish prepared in the Wok, this famous frying pan very well known throughout Asia.
Unlike other Asian noodle dishes (ramens) which are mainly eaten in soup (miso soup), Koreans find it rude to eat with a bowl so close to the mouth. So, they use a spoon with metal chopsticks to ” slurp ” these tasty noodles.
3. Saggyeopsal (Korean BBQ)
Koreans love to eat pork. Saggyeopsal is their style of BBQ . If you are a non-vegetarian with an affinity for pork, you should try Saggyeopsal . The dish is simply divine with its thick slices of pork belly meat grilled on your table and not marinated. The strips are dipped in sesame oil seasoning and wrapped in lettuce with a garlic and onion strip. It is a very popular Korean meal to enjoy . Just watch Korean dramas to realize that. It is often accompanied by Soju (a well-known alcoholic drink in Korea).
4. Kimchi (Spicy Fermented Vegetables)
Kimchi is the first thing that comes to mind upon mention of Korean food. This is the best way to learn about Korean cuisine . Think of it as a spicy, crunchy salad made from fermented vegetables with cabbage as the main ingredient. In my preparation, I always add a few ingredients such as ginger and white turnips. There are several Kimchi recipes . But they will all be prepared with its sauce made from rice flour, anchovies, and pepper powder.
It has high nutritional value , fiber content and low calorie count . The quintessential Korean food, Korean cuisine is incomplete without this delicious side dish.
5. Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Vegetable Pancake)
For all seafood lovers, Haemul Pajeon is a dish you should put on your bucket list. Crunchy on the outside, this crepe is made with rice and egg batter mixed with a variety of seafood and green onions. Common seafood products include shellfish, oysters, prawns, prawns and squid.
This tasty Korean pancake , served on a plate, is usually accompanied by Korean rice wine called Makgeolli . It may taste slightly sweet, but it is as strong as any alcohol. So drink with caution as it goes to your head fast.
6. Kimbap/Gimbap (Korean Style Sushi)
Gimbap or Kimbap is a popular grab-and-go Korean street food that looks a lot like Japanese sushi rolls. Too pretty to eat , this Korean culinary recipe is made with sushi rice, meat, spinach, beaten egg omelet, and sautéed vegetables wrapped in a seaweed roll. Then, this dish is cut in the shape of small cylinders corresponding to a bite and is mainly served with kimchi as a side dish, but in France, some will offer it to you with raw vegetables.
7. Sundubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)
Sundubu Jjigae is a group of unusual flavors in a bowl. A popular Korean stew is made with tofu , vegetables, meat, seafood, and chili paste with a raw egg tossed on top. The stew is served in a large stone bowl alongside rice and kimchi.
Having different variations in different regions , this hot stew is a delicious combination of unexpected flavors producing delicious sensations. Perhaps accompanied by ravioli for those who still have a little hollow…
8. Tteokbokki (Spicy red rice cake)
Tteokbokki is a famous Korean street food in Seoul that is made with sweet and fluffy rice cakes and fish cakes. Steamed rice cakes are tossed with fish cakes and green onions in a special sauce made if chili paste and soybean paste. Tasty street food is a “must-try” for those who love hot and spicy flavors. Personally, I have a preference for mango or lemon flavored frozen mochi .
9. Seolleongtang (Beef Bone Soup)
Seolleongtang is beef bone soup . It is a popular household Korean food name . This soup eaten especially in winter is made from beef bones and beef bones boiled for hours. White colored soups are high in protein. The frugal noodle soup is seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic and green onions. There’s nothing quite like a bowl of this tasty soup on winter days to warm up your body and give you energy.
10. Patbingsu
How can this list of Korean dishes be complete without dessert? Made with ice chips and sweet toppings, Patbingsu is the most popular dessert in Korea . It is a bowl of a huge mountain of ice chips and condensed milk decorated with chopped fruits and red beans ( bingsu ).
Koreans have a tradition of eating dessert together from a large bowl. So if you get a huge Patbingsu bowl at a restaurant, don’t be intimidated!
11. Hangover Stew
South Korea’s quintessential hangover cure ! After a drunken evening, including an outing to Noraebang with work colleagues for a promotion, think of this dish that will help you regain your senses. There are several kinds of stews prepared especially for drinking before or after drinking. They are made from beef broth with cabbage, radishes, bean sprouts, spices, and other foods that enhance the flavor of this stew.
12. Kongguksu
Kongguksu is a seasonal dish that is not everyone’s cup of tea. This textured noodle dish has a subtle bean flavor that is eaten in the summer. It is not only a very nutritious dish, but also Korean vegetarian food. If you are a vegetarian , then you must try Kongguksu when you come to Korea.
13. Jjajangmyeon
Originally, it is a Chinese dish . The Koreans acquired it and made their own version thicker and tastier . It may not be the most famous Korean food, but Koreans eat Jjajangmyeon at least once a week. They are so fond of this dish that they also have a fast delivery workshop.
14. Chimaek
Chimaek is a combination of two mundane foods chicken and beer that have been converted into a tasty dish. This dish is devoured by Koreans and they prefer to eat this rather than the chicken or the beer itself. If you too are bored with these items alone, then you might like the Chimaek lip-smacking.
15. Crab soy sauce
Soy sauce marinated crab or ganjang gejang is an addictive food for Koreans. It has a tangy bitter taste and is eaten cold instead of hot. If you love trying new foods and discovering new flavors, then this food is definitely for you.
If you are ready for this trip, then go and taste all these delicious dishes that will change you from France , its olive oil, its foie gras and its cheeses. Otherwise, you can cook them from home and introduce your friends to new flavors made in Korea .
In order to share these convivial moments , you will be able to find on our MJFRANKO shop articles which will help you to charm your guests . If you want to have a Franco-Korean evening , don’t forget to bring your made in France touch with its gourmet recipe ideas, by offering an aperitif with pieces of walnuts, small dried tomatoes, or possibly small samosas to base of chicken curry, herbs, coriander and lemon. Or raw salmon brick with vegetables and peppers drizzled with a light drizzle of olive oil.
