Korean food was a game-changer for me. Before coming to South Korea, I didnโt have the opportunity to try Korean foods. Back in Nigeria, what little exposure I had was through movies, hence I didnโt know much. However, ever since my first taste of Korean cuisine I was hooked and Iโm never going back! And so, here are 15 of the best foods that you should try if you are new to Korea.
Bossam
The Most Refreshing of Korean Foods
Bossam is a boiled pork dish. The meat is boiled in a broth that contains star anise, ginger, scallion, garlic, soybean paste, and tea leaves. Afterward, It is rinsed in cold water.
Bossam is usually served with a variety of sides like sliced raw garlic and kimchi. Normally, a bowl of cold noodles and tofu soup is served on the side. As the name implies, the pork meat is usually wrapped in vegetables like lettuce or perilla before eating.
Bulgogi
The Best Grilled of Korean Foods
Bulgogi comes from the Korean words bul (โfireโ) and gogi (โmeatโ). It is a juicy dish of grilled marinated beef or pork. The meat is often grilled with garlic with sliced onions, which enhances the amazing flavor. It can be eaten with steamed Korean rice and side dishes. You can also eat it by wrapping it in lettuce or perilla leaf. And, donโt forget to throw some chili paste into the mix!
Mandu
The Most Diverse of Korean Foods
Mandu is the general term for Korean dumplings. They can be prepared by steaming, pan-frying, boiling, or deep-frying. There are a variety of mandu fillings. Some of the most common mandu are gogi mandu with meat as the main filling, kimchi, yachea (vegetables) and shrimp. I have eaten all, and gogi mandu is my favorite. Yeah! I am a meat gal.
Samgyeopsal
The Most Internationally Recognised of Korean Foods
Samgyeopsal is the most popular form of Korean barbecue, and perhaps the most popular of Korean foods globally. It is pork belly with three fat layers, the same cut as bacon. In Korea, itโs one of the cheapest barbecue options and is often served buffet style. Once your meat is cooked, you cut them into bite-sized strips and wrap in lettuce or eat them with rice.
If youโre in Korea, you can find high-end options such as Jeju black pork samgyeopsal and ogyeopsal. Jeju island has a specific type of black pig, bred for Korean barbecue. If you ever come to Korea, give it a try! As for ogyeopsal, it has 5 layers of fat instead of three. The extra fat layers make the flavor out of this world!
Manduguk
The Most Comforting of Korean Foods
Manduguk is popularly eaten on Korean new yearโs day. The meal is made by cooking the dumplings in an eggy beef or anchovy-based broth. It makes a great meal during cold months. Itโs one of those home-cooked-style Korean foods that warms your heart.
Bibimbap
The Most Healthy of Korean Foods
Bibimbap literally means mixed rice. It refers to a bowl of warm white rice topped with a variety of sauteed and seasoned vegetables. Egg and sliced beef, are often added on top, they can be raw or cooked. Before you start eating, you should mix everything together. The result is a refreshing, delicious, and healthy meal.
Jjajangmyeon
The Best of Chinese Korean Foods
Jjajangmyeon is one of the most popular examples of Chinese Korean foods. It is made with thick, wheat noodles topped with a black bean sauce. This dish dates back to the late 1800s. It was created by the Chinese immigrant community in Incheon.
Kimchi
The Most Frequently Eaten of Korean Foods
Kimchi is a traditional side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables. There are actually hundreds, if not thousands of different types of kimchi. It is undoubtedly the most commonly eaten category of Korean foods. However, normally when you refer to kimchi without specifying the type, people assume the most common type.
The most common variety of kimchi is spicy Nappa cabbage kimchi. It is made by fermenting cabbage in a mix of chili powder, chili paste, salt, ginger, garlic, and seafood. Normally each family has their own recipe. And so, no two kimchi dishes are alike.
Dalk Galbi
The Cheesiest of Korean Foods
Dalk galbi is a Korean spicy chicken stir fry. It is cooked on a huge pan and usually eaten communally on the table. The chicken is chopped and marinated in a mix of spicy Korean sauce and other ingredients. Itโs common to see dalkgalbi feature rice cakes, sweet potatoes, green cabbage, and perilla leaves. However, these days the most popular dalkgalbi is served with gooey melted cheese. Iโve got to say โ it is a match made in heaven.
Galbi jjim
The Most Savory of Korean Foods
Galbi jjim is braised beef short ribs. This meet dish is always slow-cooked and the result is a mouth-watering succulent dish. If the meat isnโt falling off the bone โ if wasnโt done right. Not only are the ribs amazingly tender, but they are also seasoned to perfection. Galbi jjim sauce is sticky, spicy, and sweet.
Samgyetang
The Most Invigorating of Korean Foods
Samgyetang is one of the more interesting dishes in Korean cuisine. It literally means โginseng chicken soupโ. The dish is made from a young chicken stuffed with rice and boiled in a broth of Korean ginseng, jujube fruits, garlic, ginger, and various herbs. It is Koreaโs go-to dish if you are feeling under the weather.
TteokBokki
The Best of Korean Street Foods
Tteokbokki is THE most popular Korean street food in Korea. They are chewy, cylindrical rice cakes simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce. Most stalls also add some fish cakes to the mix. It is the perfect snack food if you are traveling in Korea!
Kimbap
The Best of Korean To-go Foods
Kimbap is sort of the Korean version of a sandwich. It includes vegetables, rice, and cooked proteins wrapped in a sheet of seaweed. It is a convenient food that you can grab and eat on the go. They are available at every convenience store throughout the country.
Jjimdalk
The Best of Korean Stews
Jjim refers to dishes that are steamed or stewed in a sauce, and dalk means chicken. Chimdak is usually served in a large bowl with potatoes, rice cakes, mandu, and noodles. There are two types of sauce; black and red. I have had both the black and red sauce, and they are both delicious.
Galbi tang
The Best of Korean Soups
Galbitang is a clear soup made with beef short ribs. It is a healthy, delicious meal. Typically, the ribs are boiled along with Korean radish, onion, garlic, and ginger until tender.
Once youโve made your way through this list of Korean foods, Click Here to read about 9 of the best Korean soups and stews!
Which Korean foods do you love most? Let me know in the comments below!
