15 Mouth Watering Korean Food Recipes

Korea, one of the popular East Asian countries, is known for its amazing cuisine. The traditional Korean recipes have been replaced by the contemporary versions, which is an effect of sociopolitical effects in the country. Globalization also played a major role in altering these dishes to suit the tastes of people. Korean cuisine is largely made up of dishes based on vegetables, meat and rice. Grains, legumes, condiments are indispensable to Korean food. Korean meat recipes are made up of chicken, sea food, pork and dog meat. A typical Korean menu involves soups, pickles, rice, noodles, salads and Anju, which is a side dish. This article explores some of the healthy Korean food recipes you can make at home.

Best Korean Food Recipes:

Korean Vegetarian Recipes:

1. Korean Spicy Beans:

This is one of the most staple vegetarian dishes in Korean food. Legumes like red beans make for an important element in Korean cuisine. This spicy curry made with red beans is similar to the English version of baked beans, but has spices and condiments to suit the palette of Koreans. It is best eaten with rice:

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1⁄2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 can kidney beans
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1⁄4 cup water

Method:

• Start by adding soy sauce, vinegar, red sauce or ketchup, garlic, ginger and brown sugar powder in a pan and sauté it.
• Add cornstarch and then put the beans and the cornstarch in the pan.
• Sear it well and serve hot with rice

2. Chap Chae:

Chap chae basically is Korean noodles with vegetables mixed in it.  This is one of the most popular street food of Korea, where people enjoy the spicy, tangy noodles served with stir fried vegetables. There are also meat versions of this dish. Check out this delicious and top Korean food recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 Pack sweet potato vermicelli noodles
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/2 white onion
• 2 spring onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup dried shitake mushrooms
• 1 small carrot
• 1 small zucchini
• 2 cups spinach leaves
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• Salt, to taste

Method:

• First cook the noodles in water and set aside
• In a wok, heat some sesame oil
• Sautee garlic, onion, spring onions and vegetables
• Add mushrooms
• Add spinach leaves, soy sauce and rice vinegar
• Sprinkle salt and sugar
• Add the cooked noodles and give it a good stir
• Garnish with toasted sesame seeds

3. Korean Pancake:

Also called Buchimgae in local language, Korean pancakes are the most popular breakfast dishes. They are very healthy and can give you a delicious start to a day. These pan cakes are savory unlike the western pancake versions. They are served with spicy soy dipping sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch spring onions
• 1 large egg
• 1-2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• Pancake batter mix
• Salt

Method:

• Take pancake batter mix and add some water
• When it is of good consistency, add spring onions, egg
• Add salt
• Grease the pan with some oil and spread the batter
• When it is done, remove and serve hot

Non-Vegetarian Recipes

4. Braised Beef Rib Casserole:

Also called GalbiJjim, this is one of the most enjoyed Beef dishes in Korea. It is a sweet and tangy gravy dish made with beef chops. It comes with a juicy gravy and is extremely succulent. If you ask any Korean what his comfort his, the first dish that tops the list is this amazing Beef Caserole.

Ingredients:

• 5 kg Beef Ribs
• 2 cups water
• 2 carrots
• 2 red apples
• 1 cup onion
• 6 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 2 Tbsp rice wine (mirin)
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 5 whole black peppers
• 1 tbsp Marinara Sauce
• ½ cup Pine Nuts

Method:

• Wash and clean the Beef ribs
• Blend together soy sauce, apples, sugar, mirin, garlic, sesame oil, black peppers
• Spread this sauce over Beef pieces
• Add carrots, Marinara sauce, pine nuts
• Slow cook it till beef is done

5. Korean Pork Strips:

Pork is a quintessential meat of Korean cuisine. Of all pork based dishes, this spicy pork strips is quite popular for it intense and bold flavours. It has the pungency of garlic and is quite spicy. Check out this recipe for this amazing pork dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg Pork
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 2 tbsp Crushed Garlic
• 1 tbsp Ginger
• 2 tbsp Onion flakes
• 1 bunch spring onions diced
• 2 tbsp Oregano
• Salt
• 2 tbsp Red chilli Powder
• Pepper
• ½ tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Method:

• The main ingredient for the pork strip is the marinate which can be made from soy sauce, vinegar, crushed garlic and ginger, onion flakes, spring onion finely diced, oregano, salt and red chili powder, pepper and sesame seed.
• Rub the mix on the pork and grill it.
• Now make a sauce of the mix and pour it over the pork.

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6. Korean Spicy Squid:

The Korean spicy squid is a dream food for every sea food lover. It is high on taste and flavour. Also known as OjingeoBokkeum is local Korean language, this recipe can be eaten as a starter or as a stir fry with rice. Check out this restaurant style recipe below:

Ingredients:

• 1 large squid
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 carrot
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cabbage
• 3 Tbs vegetable oil
• 1 green or red pepper (optional)
• 3 tbsp Korean Spicy Seasoning
• 4 – 5 Tbs water

Method:

• Prepare a wok and heat some oil
• Sautee all the vegetables
• Add squid pieces and stir fry
• Add little water along with Korean spicy season mix
• Finish it off with some chilli powder if you want to be more spicy

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7. Rice Cake Soup:

This rice cake soup is comfort food for Koreans. Especially on a chilly night, having a bowl of hot rice cake soup can be a magical experience. Also called Tteokguk in local language, this soup is made up of sliced rice cakes, vegetables, meat and egg. Check out this recipe below:

Ingredients:

• 2 Korean Rice Cakes
• 6 cups Chicken broth
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Pepper
• 2 boiled eggs
• 1 dried seaweed sheet, cut into thin slices
• 2 spring onions, chopped

Method:

• Bring the chicken stock to a boil
• Add soy sauce, pepper
• Now drop in sliced Rice cakes, eggs and seaweed sheets
• Garnish with spring onions

8. Korean Beef Burger Patty:

When we think of Burger, the first thing that comes into our mind is a juicy Beef patty. While the procedure for making burger patties is similar to the rest of the world, the ingredients vary in Korean cuisine. They are well seasoned with herbs and spices. These delicious Beef patties are called Jang-Sanjeok in local language.

Ingredients:

• ½ kg beef mince
• 200 gms strained tofu
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp green onion, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp Teriyaki spicy sauce

Method:

• Mix together all the ingredients in a bowl
• Take small portions and make into patties
• Roll them in a plastic cover and freeze for 2 hours
• Remove from fridge and fry them in oil

9. Beef Barbeque:

Bulgogi or Beef Barbeque is one of the most eaten dishes in Korean Cuisine. It uses pear juice to tenderise meat before getting it ready for a barbeque. The intense spicy, smoky flavour of this dish when combined with the moist beef makes for a mouth-watering recipe.

Ingredients:

• ½ kg Beef Pieces
• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 stalks spring onion
• 1/2 medium carrot
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 6 Tbsp soy sauce
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp rice wine (mirin)
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 5 Tbsp grated pear
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Method:

• Combine Soy sauce, sugar, mirin, garlic, pear juice, ginger and black pepper
• Take beef pieces and marinate the sauce made above
• In a wok heat some oil
• Fry onions, carrots and spring onions
• Next add the marinated beef
• Pour in the remaining sauce
• Garnish with sesame seeds

10. Ox Bone Soup:

This is one of the traditional Korean recipes that is made with ox bones and ox tail. It is also called Seolleongtang in the local language. It is an extremely flavoursome soup that also has vegetables, pepper, spring onions and garlic. It is a milky white soup and is usually eaten with rice.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds beef leg
• 1 pounds of meat
• lots of chopped scallions
• salt and pepper

Method:

• In a vessel add beef leg and beef meat pieces with lots of water
• Boil it for 3-4 hours continuously
• You can serve it with rice or glass noodles
• Garnish with spring onions and season wit salt and pepper

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11. Korean Spicy Soft Tofu Seafood Soup:

Also called Sundubu-jjigae, the traditional version of this spicy tofu and sea food is prepared in a large stone bowl. IT is made up of tofu, vegetables, sea food , pork or beef, mushrooms and a special chilli paste called gochujang. You can also add a fried egg on top of this stew for extra flavour.

Ingredients:

• 350 gm Korean Tofu
• 100 gm mixed sea food
• 250 gms mixed variety of mushrooms
• 1 stalk spring onion
• 1 can sea food stock
• Oil
• 2 tbsp chilli flakes
• 1 tbsp garlic
• ½ tbsp soy sauce
• Salt, Pepper

Method:

• In a vessel, add some oil
• Fry chilli powder, garlic and soy sauce
• Add sea food, mushrooms
• Add tofu pieces and some water
• Cook until the curry thickens

12. Seafood Vegetable Pancake:

This is another version of Korean pancakes and is called Haemul Pajeon. This is made up of sea food, vegetables and egg. These are traditionally eaten for breakfast and are extremely delicious. They are also known for their soft and chewy texture with lot of sea food popping into the mouth.

Ingredients:

• ½ kg mixed sea food
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 2 tbsp corn starch
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup ice water
• 6 spring onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 red chilly
• 1 medium onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 bunch chives
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup oil

Method:

• Heat some water in a pan and add sea food
• Cook them well and drain water
• Add flour, corn starch, egg, onion, garlic, chives and sesame oil
• Form into a batter with some ice water
• Now make pancakes with this batter by cooking in a pan
• Serve hot

Korean Snacks:

13. Korean Rice Cakes:

This delicious recipe is one of the most popular street cuisines of Korea. They are called Tteokbokki or spicy rice cakes which can made in about 15-20 minutes. These sweet, spicy and tangy rice cakes are made with very less ingredients, but can leave a lasting taste on your tongue.

Ingredients:

• 1 pack fresh rice cakes
• 2 Fish cake sheets
• 1/2 medium onion
• 2 leaves of cabbage
• 1 stalk of spring onion
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Tteobokki Sauce

Method:

• Heat some oil in a wok
• Sautee onion, cabbage and spring onions
• Add fish cake sheets and rice cakes
• Add the sauce and mix well
• Garnish with toasted sesame seeds

14. Korean Popcorn Chicken:

If you go to Korea and visit the busy streets in the evening, you will find plenty of carts which sell spicy street food. Korean popcorn chicken is a popular dish that is made up of chicken nuggets and is extremely delicious. Check out this super cruchy outside, soft inside chicken recipe.

Ingredients:

• ½ kg Boneless Chicken Pieces
• 150gm Korean Rice Cake
• 1 tbsp Rice wine
• 2 tsp ginger powder
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 cup corn starch
• 2 tbsp Oil
• Sweet and spicy sauce

Method:

• Marinate chicken pieces in ginger powder, rice wine, salt and pepper
• Leave in fridge for 30 minutes
• Coat chicken pieces with corn starch and deep fry
• Heat some oil in a wok
• Add the sauce and bring to boil
• Add fried chicken pieces
• Garnish with sesame seeds

15. Korean Kimchi:

Kimchi is the heart of the people in Korea. This is made of pickled cabbage and is eaten as both starter and as a side dish. It is pungent with the taste of raw cabbage and has sweet, spicy and sour balanced taste. Kimchi is also used in wraps and other dishes to enhance the taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Napa Cabbage
• ½ cup sea salt
• 5 garlic cloves
• 2 daikon radishes
• 1 bundle scallions
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
• 5 tbsp red chilli flakes
• 1 teaspoon white sugar

Method:

• Shred cabbage, radish and scallions into fine matchstick like pieces
• Add vinegar, garlic, ginger, white sugar, chilli and salt
• Pickle overnight

We hope this article just made your mouth water. Korean dishes are visually appealing and taste great at the same time. The secret behind most dishes, especially the non-vegetarian versions is the sauce. Most of the gravy-based dishes use sauce to enhance the taste and also get a thick consistency. These sauces are integral to Korean cuisine and its important to get them right. Korean street food is famous across the world for its spicy and meaty dishes. The good news is that you don’t have to travel all the way to this country in order to taste them. Just try these amazing recipes at home and virtually travel to the streets of Korea.