Buzz
This piece was crafted by me as a guest contribution for KoreaTaste.org – the goal is to win a trip to Korea to deepen my understanding of Korean cuisine. Please check out the article and show your support to help make this dream a reality! I’ve also penned another article there titled Making The Switch to Korean Food, which you might enjoy. Note: no registration is needed. I chose to share the article here too, as it’s in a format we all appreciate, and having an extra list now and then never hurts!
All images showcase my efforts to recreate the recipes linked below. These recipes are straightforward and yield mouthwatering results. If you can, try making these dishes at home—nothing beats homemade meals. But if that’s not an option, be sure to sample them at a nearby Korean restaurant. Additionally, each recipe includes a video guide to walk you through the cooking process.
Korean culture has a unique and profound connection with food, which is deeply woven into everyday life. If you’ve ever watched a Korean drama or film, you’ve likely noticed at least one scene centered around a meal. Some productions even focus entirely on Korean cuisine. For Koreans, food is more than just sustenance—it’s a source of flavor, healing, and cultural identity. Below, I’ve curated a list of ten dishes that, in my view, are absolute must-tries; these are dishes that will delight Westerners just as much as they do Koreans.
10. Soondubu Jiggae Soft Tofu Stew – 순두부 찌개 [Recipe | Wikipedia]
Soondubu jiggae is a traditional Korean stew (jiggae) that strikes a perfect balance between soup and porridge in terms of thickness. Traditionally prepared in an earthenware pot (as shown above), the entire cooking process happens in a single dish, making cleanup a breeze. The stew begins with a flavorful fish stock, enhanced with a touch of beef for depth, and is finished with fresh shellfish, hot pepper flakes, silken tofu, and optional eggs. One of its best features is the ability to adjust the spiciness by controlling the amount of hot pepper flakes, making it suitable for both spice lovers and those who prefer milder flavors, like children. The modest use of beef reflects the health-conscious nature of Korean cuisine, where meat is used more for flavor than as a main component. This dish is an excellent introduction to tofu, as it absorbs the rich flavors of the stew while adding a soft, comforting texture. Enjoy it with rice and side dishes for a complete and satisfying meal.
9. Seolleongtang Ox Bone Soup – 설렁탕 [Recipe | Wikipedia]
Seolleongtang is a beloved Korean soup, so popular that some restaurants specialize exclusively in its preparation. Among the dishes on this list, it is the most time-intensive, requiring hours of boiling beef bones (typically ox leg bones or ox tail) to extract calcium, which gives the soup its signature milky-white appearance. Despite its pale color, the soup boasts an intensely rich beef flavor. During the boiling process, you can also add a large piece of beef and radish, which are sliced and added just before serving. While it’s a comforting winter dish, it’s equally enjoyable in the summer. The recipe yields a large quantity, making it ideal for weekend preparation and weekday meals. In Korea, it’s commonly eaten for breakfast as well as dinner, often accompanied by rice and side dishes.
8. Ddukbokkie Rice Cake Street Food – 떡볶이 [Recipe | Wikipedia]
Ddukbokkie is the aromatic essence of Korean urban nights. In bustling cities like Seoul, street vendors line the sidewalks, each offering their unique take on this beloved street food. Pronounced roughly as “dok-bok-ee,” ddukbokkie comes in various styles. In the example above, I followed the linked recipe but also included sliced fish cakes and boiled eggs for added richness. The sauce is a perfect blend of spicy and sweet, delivering an explosion of flavor. The heat is balanced by the chewy, soft texture of the long cylindrical rice cakes, which are a novel ingredient for many Westerners but quickly become a favorite once tasted.
7. Dakjuk Chicken Porridge – 닭죽 [Recipe]
When I first tried making Dakjuk, I didn’t anticipate it becoming one of my top favorites—it appeared too straightforward. How wrong I was! The process involves boiling a chicken in a large pot of water with onions and plenty of garlic, then adding sushi rice and cooking until the chicken is tender. The result is a thick, comforting stew (referred to as porridge in Korea, despite the absence of oats) created by the rice breaking down, infused with rich chicken and garlic flavors. You shred the chicken and enjoy it with the porridge. This dish is so simple and satisfying that you’ll find yourself making it repeatedly. A word of caution: if peeling garlic by hand (instead of using pre-peeled garlic), wear gloves—garlic oil in large amounts can cause severe burns, as I learned the hard way!
6. Hoeddeok Sweet Syrupy Pancakes – 호떡 [Recipe | Wikipedia]
For those with a sweet tooth, this delightful pancake sold by street vendors is a surefire hit. While slightly more intricate than Western pancakes due to its yeast-based dough, the effort pays off. The dough, similar to bread dough, is stuffed with a blend of cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts, then fried until the filling turns into a syrupy delight. This pancake reigns supreme and is a favorite among children. Surprise your kids with this version next time they crave pancakes for breakfast—they’ll be thrilled. If the sweet filling doesn’t appeal to you, simply swap it for mozzarella cheese.
5. Yangnyeom Tongdak Seasoned Fried Chicken – 양념통닭 [Recipe | Wikipedia]
Once you taste this, you’ll never look at KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) the same way again—this is the other KFC, Korean Fried Chicken. The experience is unforgettable: your first bite reveals a sticky, sweet, and spicy red sauce, followed by an unbelievably crispy triple-cooked batter. Beneath that crunch lies the juiciest, most flavorful chicken imaginable. This dish stands as one of Korea’s greatest culinary creations. Across Korea, countless shops offer their unique take on yangnyeom tongdak, often delivering late into the night. However, homemade versions are unbeatable. This recipe is exceptional, showcasing how Koreans skillfully incorporate foreign flavors, like ketchup, to elevate their cuisine. Don’t wait—try this as soon as you can.
4. Japchae Stir Fried Noodles – 잡채 [Recipe | Wikipedia]
Japchae is a beloved Korean dish, both domestically and internationally, and one taste will explain its popularity. Originally, japchae didn’t include noodles—it was created by a royal chef for the King, who adored it so much that it became a nationwide sensation. Over time, noodles were introduced, and today they’re a key component. The dish features sweet potato starch noodles, which provide a uniquely chewy texture. The vegetables are lightly cooked to preserve their natural flavors. This dish is a fantastic upgrade from the often bland stir-fries many of us default to when craving “Chinese” food. For K-pop fans, check out this fun clip of Super Junior’s Eun Hyuk promoting japchae—his favorite Korean dish.
3. Kimchi Fermented Cabbage – 김치 [Recipe | Wikipedia]
Kimchi is Korea’s national dish, and while the term 'fermented' might seem intimidating to Westerners, remember that we already consume many fermented foods, like yogurt and bread. Kimchi involves coating cabbage leaves individually in a flavorful, spicy mixture of hot pepper flakes, garlic, chives, onion, pear juice, and more. It can be eaten immediately (fresh, not fermented) or left at room temperature for a few days to begin fermentation, developing a rich, tangy flavor similar to German sauerkraut. Kimchi lasts for months and serves as a base for numerous dishes, such as kimchi stew and kimbap (Korean sushi). It’s so integral to Korean cuisine that it’s enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While it may not look glamorous, its taste is exceptional. If making it yourself feels too time-consuming, pre-made kimchi is readily available at Korean grocery stores.
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2. Bibimbap Mixed Rice – 비빔밥 [Recipe | Wikipedia]
If you try just one dish from this list, make it bibimbap. In Korean, 'bibim' translates to 'mixed,' and 'bap' means rice. All ingredients, except for the optional meat, are prepped in advance and added at room temperature over hot steamed rice. The meat is quickly fried and placed on top, along with a sunny-side-up egg. Bibimbap is typically served with a spicy gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste) sauce, allowing you to adjust the heat to your preference. Using a spoon (Korean meals are always accompanied by metal chopsticks and a spoon), you mix everything together thoroughly. The fun part is seeing how much you can fit into one bite—though it’s so delicious, you’ll likely end up eating it all quickly! This dish is a flavor explosion, and it’s impossible not to fall in love with it at first taste.
1. Bulgogi Marinated Beef BBQ – 불고기 [Recipe | Wikipedia]
Bulgogi is an incredibly versatile beef dish, often the first Korean meal Westerners try at restaurants. While it’s commonly enjoyed on a Korean barbecue grill in the West, Koreans prepare it in numerous ways, including as a stew or a base for other dishes. This marinated meat is so adaptable that it can even replace pulled pork in a Western-style sandwich. Bulgogi features thinly sliced beef marinated in a blend of pear juice, garlic, soy sauce, and other ingredients, with countless variations. The result is tender, sweet, and savory meat. My favorite way to enjoy it is wrapped in a lettuce leaf with a bit of rice and dipping sauce. It’s also a low-fat, healthy option.
