5 Beginner-Friendly Korean Dishes with Recipes

If you're new to Korean cuisine, you're in for a treat! Korean food is known for its bold flavors and diverse ingredients. Here are five beginner-friendly Korean dishes that are easy to prepare and will give you a taste of Korean culture. Each dish includes a recipe to help you get started.

 

 

 

1. Bibimbap (비빔밥)

Bibimbap is a colorful and nutritious dish that consists of rice topped with various vegetables, a fried egg, and gochujang (Korean chili paste). It's mixed together just before eating, making for a delightful blend of flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup assorted vegetables (carrots, spinach, bean sprouts, zucchini)
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Recipe:

1. Sauté the vegetables separately with a bit of sesame oil and garlic. Season with a pinch of salt.
2. Fry the egg sunny-side up.
3. Place the cooked rice in a bowl and arrange the vegetables on top.
4. Add the fried egg in the center.
5. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
6. Serve with gochujang and mix everything together before eating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Bulgogi (불고기)

Bulgogi is a popular Korean BBQ dish made with marinated beef that is grilled or stir-fried. The marinade is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced

Recipe:

1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, sesame seeds, and black pepper to make the marinade.
2. Add the sliced beef, green onions, and onion to the marinade. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the marinated beef until it is fully cooked and caramelized.
4. Serve with steamed rice and side dishes (banchan).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개)

Kimchi Jjigae is a hearty stew made with kimchi, tofu, pork, and various vegetables. It's a comfort food that is perfect for cold days.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup kimchi, chopped
• 200 grams pork belly, sliced
• 1 block tofu, cubed
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 cups water or broth
• 1 tablespoon gochujang
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Recipe:

1. In a pot, sauté the pork belly until it starts to brown.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and kimchi. Cook for a few minutes until the kimchi is softened.
3. Add water or broth, gochujang, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
5. Add the tofu and green onions, and simmer for another 5 minutes.
6. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil before serving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Japchae (잡채)

Japchae is a savory and slightly sweet dish made with stir-fried glass noodles, vegetables, and sometimes meat. It's a favorite at Korean celebrations and parties.

Ingredients:

• 200 grams glass noodles (dangmyeon)
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup spinach
• 200 grams beef, thinly sliced (optional)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Recipe:

1. Cook the glass noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, sauté the vegetables separately with a bit of oil until they are tender. Set aside.
3. If using beef, cook it in the skillet until browned.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked noodles, vegetables, and beef.
5. Add soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. Toss everything together until well mixed.
6. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Tteokbokki (떡볶이)

Tteokbokki is a beloved Korean street food made with chewy rice cakes in a spicy and sweet gochujang sauce. It's a must-try for anyone new to Korean cuisine.

Ingredients:

• 300 grams rice cakes (tteok)
• 1 fish cake, sliced (optional)
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Recipe:

1. In a pot, combine water, gochujang, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Bring to a boil.
2. Add the rice cakes, fish cake, and onion. Simmer until the rice cakes are soft and the sauce thickens.
3. Add the green onions and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top before serving.

These five dishes are a great starting point for anyone looking to explore Korean cuisine. Each dish offers a unique taste of Korea and is sure to impress your taste buds. Enjoy your culinary adventure!