Korean cuisine, with its vibrant flavors and diverse dishes, has captured the hearts and palates of food enthusiasts worldwide. From spicy stews to savory pancakes, Korean food offers a unique culinary adventure. If you’re looking to explore the rich tapestry of Korean flavors, here are 10 Common Korean Foods that you absolutely must try.
1. Bibimbap: The Colorful Mixed Rice Bowl
Bibimbap, arguably the most iconic common Korean food, is a delightful and visually stunning dish. Originating as a way to use leftover vegetables on Lunar New Year’s Eve, bibimbap is a harmonious blend of cooked rice, an assortment of sautéed and seasoned vegetables, pickled radish, carrots, and mushrooms. The presentation is key, with each ingredient artfully arranged in a hot stone bowl. Often topped with a raw egg yolk or thinly sliced raw beef, which cooks upon being stirred into the hot rice, bibimbap is a complete and satisfying meal.
2. Kimchi: The Fermented Staple
Kimchi is an indispensable part of common Korean food culture. This lacto-fermented dish, most commonly made with napa cabbage (baechu kimchi), is seasoned with chili and a variety of spices. Kimchi’s tangy, spicy, and umami-rich flavor profile makes it a perfect side dish accompanying almost every Korean meal. Beyond its role as a side, kimchi is incredibly versatile and used in numerous Korean recipes.
Kimchi jeon, or kimchi pancake, is another popular way to enjoy this fermented wonder. This savory pancake incorporates kimchi into the batter, creating a flavorful and slightly spicy appetizer or snack, often enjoyed in Korean households and restaurants.
3. Kimchi Fried Rice: A Flavorful Fusion
Kimchi fried rice is a testament to the resourcefulness and deliciousness of common Korean cooking. Typically made by stir-frying diced pork (or other proteins) with chopped kimchi and cooked rice, this dish is a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal. Sesame oil and spring onions are often added for aroma and freshness, and a fried egg on top elevates the dish to another level of richness.
4. Sundubu Jjigae: Spicy Soft Tofu Stew
Jjigae, a category of rich and hearty Korean stews, includes the popular sundubu jjigae. This stew features silken tofu (sundubu) as the star ingredient, simmered in a spicy broth with seafood, vegetables, and often egg. Served bubbling hot in a stone bowl, similar to bibimbap, sundubu jjigae is a comforting and warming dish, especially popular during colder months.
5. Bulgogi: Korean BBQ Beef
Bulgogi, meaning “fire meat,” is a quintessential common Korean food, representing Korean barbecue at its finest. Thinly sliced beef (though pork or chicken can also be used) is marinated in a sweet and savory mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and pear juice, tenderizing the meat and infusing it with flavor. Traditionally cooked on a tabletop grill, bulgogi is a social and interactive dining experience, perfect for sharing.
6. Tteokbokki: Spicy Rice Cakes
Tteokbokki is a wildly popular common Korean street food, loved for its chewy texture and spicy-sweet gochujang-based sauce. Made with cylindrical rice cakes (tteok), fish cakes, and often quail eggs, tteokbokki is simmered in a rich, fiery red chili paste sauce. Found in snack bars and street food stalls across Korea, tteokbokki is a satisfying and addictive snack or light meal.
7. Japchae: Glass Noodles Stir-Fry
Japchae is a delightful and slightly sweet Korean noodle dish. Made with glass noodles (dangmyeon), which are made from sweet potato starch and have a uniquely chewy texture, japchae is stir-fried with a medley of colorful vegetables, sesame oil, and a light soy-based sauce. Often served as a side dish or appetizer, japchae is a balanced and flavorful dish showcasing the versatility of Korean cuisine.
8. Kan poong gi: Spicy Garlic Fried Chicken
Korean fried chicken has gained global acclaim, and Kan poong gi is a particularly popular variation within common Korean food. Chicken pieces are marinated, double-fried for extra crispiness, and then coated in a spicy, garlicky, and slightly sweet kan poong sauce. This style of Korean fried chicken offers a perfect balance of crispy, savory, and spicy flavors, making it an irresistible treat.
9. Yook hwei: Korean Steak Tartare
Yook hwei is a sophisticated and unique common Korean food, representing a Korean take on steak tartare. High-quality raw beef is finely cut and seasoned with sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, spring onion, and Korean pear, creating a subtly sweet and savory flavor profile. Topped with a raw egg yolk and often pine nuts, yook hwei is a delicacy that showcases the freshness and quality of ingredients.
10. Mandu: Korean Dumplings
Mandu are Korean dumplings, similar to Chinese dumplings or Japanese gyoza, and are a beloved common Korean food. These versatile dumplings can be steamed (jjin-mandu), fried (kun-mandu), or boiled (mul-mandu), each offering a different texture and flavor experience. Filled with various combinations of chicken, vegetables, or meat, mandu are a comforting and delicious addition to any Korean meal.
Exploring common Korean food is a journey into a world of exciting flavors, textures, and culinary traditions. From the fiery spice of kimchi to the comforting warmth of bibimbap, these ten dishes offer a fantastic starting point for anyone wanting to discover the richness of Korean cuisine.
