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Top 8
Korean dishes that never go wrong
Korean cuisines are well-known for their strong flavours and iconic ingredients. You might be thinking about Kimchi, but there is a lot more to discover! With a deep cultural background, Korean food represents the nation's taste, soul, and ethnic characteristics. If you have zero idea in a Korean restaurant, we've got you covered. The top 8 Korean food are listed here, and you shouldn't miss them!
Right before going through our most loved top 8 Korean dishes, I would like to tell you we've covered an ARTICLE that teaches you everything you need to know when ordering Korean food, from asking for a menu all the way to paying the bill.
Wish you all the best on the Korean food hunt :)
8. 순두부찌개 / Sundubu-jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)
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Soft tofu stew, the "classic" classic dish among all, is made with fresh extra soft tofu called" Sundubu (순두부). The soft tofu melted into the stew and break into fluffy pieces, which provide a relatively mild flavour and an enjoyable texture.
Apart from our main character, you'll also find some vegetables, mushrooms, onions, and even seafood ( often prawns, oysters, and mussels). Finally, a raw egg dive in before being served.
A well-done Sundubu-jjigae is often cooked directly in a traditional pot either made from porcelain or stone, both retaining heat.
7. 비빔밥 / Bibimbap(Korean rice dish)
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'Bibimbap," also known as "Sister-in-law's Rice," is a traditional Korean rice dish with a history of over a hundred years. It is normally prepared by heating white rice in a stone pot (or clay pot), creating a delicious crust at the bottom of the rice.
On top of the rice, various ingredients are placed, including stir-fried pork/beef, cucumbers, sprouts, carrots, seaweed, a fried sunny-side-up egg, sprinkled with black sesame seeds, and finally drizzled with vibrant red chilli sauce.
This dish is rich in colour, aroma, and taste. Make sure you take a look at it before you devour our favourite daily meal.
6. 해물파전 / Haemul Pajeon (Korean pancake)
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Looking for something crispy and filling? Haemul Pajeon is one of your top choices.
The preparation of Korean pancakes is actually quite simple, and they can serve as a "clean out the fridge" dish. They taste best when buried with seafood like cuttlefish, shrimp, squid, and clams.
It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for sharing as an appetizer or side dish.
5. 불고기 / Bulgogi (Korean Fire Beef)
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What comes after Kimchi when you think of Korean food? Bulgogi is definitely Kimchi's biggest opponent.
This well-known grilled or stir-fired beef dish is typically made of tender beef marinated with soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil, giving the unexpectedly awesome sweet and salty combos.
Bulgogi is also a popular fusion dish across the world, bulgogi tacos and burgers show up on the street, and even bulgogi pastas.
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Not a fan of raw fish, soy sauce and wasabi?
This Korean version of sushi is put together consisting of rice, kimchi, other fermented vegetables, grilled bulgogi, fish and egg, with chilli paste and sesame oil for seasoning. The debate between sushi and kimbap is never ended, but kimbap has its own uniqueness.
Fancy a tasty, light meal? Kimbap will never go wrong.
3. 떡볶이 / Tteokbokki (Hot and spicy rice cake)
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This burning red cake can well represent Korean street food. Those steamed rice cakes are often stewed with fish cakes, spring onions, and a spicy and slightly sweet red chilli paste (gochujang).
A lovely reminder: Tteokbokki can get extremely spicy depending on the Chef's mood, so get prepared!
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These luxurious translucent glass noodles are truly unique, as they aren't typical flour or rice dough but sweet potato. The chewy texture that's absolutely addictive and demands your attention.
But although the noodles deserve all the credit, the array of vegetables, tofu and the finishing sweet soy sauce complete the meal.
You won't even realize you're almost at your last bite, and trust me, it happens in seconds.
1. 양념치킨/ Yangnyeom chicken (Spicy Korean Fried Chicken)
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The combination of Huraideu-chicken (fried chicken), Gochujang (sweet and spicy chilli paste), and Maekju (Beer) is possibly the threesome in the Korean food heaven.
Yangnyeom chickens are bite-sized fried chickens coated with a spicy sauce, they are normally double-fried which creates that unforgettable crispy exterior.
You can find them everywhere in Korea, especially at more traditional bars and restaurants, Yangnyeom chicken plays a role as the most palatable snack or side dish.
Now you have a list of Top Korean food that will never go wrong, it might be helpful when travelling in Korea.
Luckily, we now offer group and private courses for all levels. You can take these courses either online or in person at our London offices where you will meet lots of like-minded K-food fans.