Food In Korea (푸드 인 코리아)
What to eat in Korea. Where to eat in Korea. The best Korean food and where to get it. Want to cook in Korea? Here are some great Korean recipes tried and tested. (한국에서 무엇을 먹을까. 한국에서 식사하는 곳. 최고의 한국 음식과 그것을 어디서 구해야 하는지. 한국에서 요리하고 싶으세요? 여기 몇 가지 훌륭한 한국 요리법이 있다.)
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A Bowl of Good Fortune: Regional Tteokguk Traditions Across Korea
Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is one of Korea’s most important holidays, a time for family gatherings, ancestral rituals called jesa, and starting fresh. At the heart of this celebration is tteokguk (떡국), a savory rice cake soup symbolizing purity, renewal, and the passage into the new year. Dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, the tradition of eating tteokguk is still intact and as the Lunar New approaches, I thought I’d share some of the regional Korean rice cake soup varieties that you may not have seen before. Each region of the country adds its own twist to the beloved dish and if you’re like me and my family, you’ll…
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Dakgalbi is the Chuncheon Specialty You’ll Love
Originating from the city of Chuncheon, a city an hour east of Seoul, in the 1960s, dakgalbi (닭갈비) has a fascinating story rooted in post-war resilience and creativity. Over time, it evolved from a humble, budget-friendly meal known as “commoners’ galbi” into one of Korea’s most iconic comfort foods. This sweet and spicy chicken stir fry is now loved all around the country and even if you’re just visiting, you should find a restaurant that serves up this delicious meal. Or, if you’re headed out to Nami Island or Cheongpyeong Temple, stop by a local restaurant for this must eat dish. Dakgalbi is one of those dishes that will have…
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Why Korean School Lunches Will Leave You Jealous
Growing up in the US, my school lunches were a predictable rotation of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, greasy fries, and cardboard-like pizza. So, when I experienced Korean school lunches for the first time, I was shocked how well-rounded and delicious Korean school lunches were. When it comes to school lunches, Korean public schools stand out for their balanced, nutritious, and flavorful meals that not only the students love, but the teachers love too. The pictures of my daughter’s lunch make me hungry every day and they’ll make you hungry too: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after…
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Why You Should Eat Ganjang Gejang—Soy Sauce Marinated Raw Crab In Korea
When you think of Korean cuisine, dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, and kimchi probably spring to mind, but there are some other very delicious delights like ganjang gejang (간장계장), or soy sauce marinated raw crab, that I know the foodies out there will love. Once you figure out how to eat it, you will be drawn by the incredible umami flavor which will have you coming back for more again and again. Marinated raw crab might be for the adventurous eater, but it’s good for everyone. Here’s what to know: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at…
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How To Eat Korean BBQ: What To Expect When Eating In Korea
Korean barbecue might seem a bit intimidating if it’s your first time, but don’t worry, it’s as much about the experience as it is about the food! Whether you’re seated at a table with friends or enjoying it with coworkers, you’re in for a tasty adventure. Before you can begin that adventure though, you need to know how to order meat, what to expect at a Korean barbecue restaurant, and then you can reap the delicious rewards. What makes Korean BBQ so popular, especially for first-time visitors to Korea, is not just the high-quality, flavorful cuts of meat, but the immersive nature of the entire dining process. But, like I…
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7 Ways We Ate Abalone In Wando, Korea
I am an abalone fiend. Can’t get enough. So, when we were headed through Wando recently, the island responsible for about 80% of the country’s abalone production, I was determined to try as many abalone dishes as I could. Here, the locals have mastered the art of preparing this delicacy in various mouthwatering ways. From thinly sliced raw abalone served fresh to the warm, hearty comfort of abalone porridge, there’s something for every palate. But one of the most surprising creations you’ll find here is “abalone bread.” Get ready to learn about all of the abalone delicacies you can try in Wando, Korea. If you’ve ever wondered how to eat…
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Doganitang: Why I Love Korean Ox Knee Soup
The first time I had doganitang (도가니탕), or Korean ox knee soup, I had just finished an English lesson and my 70 year old student invited me to lunch. He was the kind of older Korean guy there was no declining so I went along and was quite taken aback when the soup he’d ordered us was filled with some sort of gelatinous meat. I wasn’t completely sold at first, but my old friend had good taste so I knew to trust him and eat what was in front of us. Over the years, doganitang has become one of my favorite Korean soups and it might just become one of…
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Sundubu Jjigae In Seoul: Where To Eat This Korean Tofu Stew
My first few years in Korea I had a friend who LOVED sundubu jjigae (순두부찌개) with a passion. It became her comfort food and she ordered it at meal after meal when we were finished working. While she had jumped on the soft tofu stew with a passion, it took me years to appreciate it as much as she did. Sundubu jjigae, a popular comfort stew made with soft tofu, is now one of my favorites too and I’ve realized that a lot of foreigners that first see it assume it to be a lot spicier than it is and thus are put off of diving into it head first.…
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Boribap: The Korean Countryside Meal That’s Always Delicious
I’m often asked for my tips and tricks for traveling around Korea and finding good food. While there are a plethora of both Korean and international food options when you’re in the heart of Seoul, get out into the countryside and sometimes it can be difficult especially if you’re traveling with children or picky eaters. So, let me tell you what works EVERY TIME! Find the boribap (보리밥) restaurant. Boribap restaurants can look unassuming, rustic even, and sometimes just a room attached to a house, but you will absolutely find the best food made with locally grown vegetables and on top of that, it’s kid-friendly, vegetarian-friendly, and the best part,…
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Samgyetang: What Is It and Where To Eat It In Seoul
If you’ve ever experienced the hottest of summers when the sweat pours and the lethargy and lack of energy takes over leading to afternoon siestas, you may think you already know how to fight the heat. But do you know how to fight the hottest of summer temperatures Korean style? In Korea, there is a concept called iyeol chiyeol (이열치열), basically controlling heat with heat, or fighting fire with fire as we say in English. On the hottest days of the summer in Korea, instead of going for cold treats like patbingsu or even cold soups, of which there are many delicious Korean cold soups, Koreans eat the hottest bowls…
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The 27 Oldest Restaurants In Seoul and Why You Need To Find Them
There are a lot of trendy cafes and restaurants in Seoul but you’ll find that they’re often short lived, a flash in the pan as they say. Article upon article is written about the hottest restaurants in Seoul, Korea right now, but check them a year later and you could be hard-pressed to find many of those viral sensations still existing. When it comes to the best restaurants in Seoul for me and my husband, they’re usually the oldest restaurants in Seoul that we seek out because of their longevity and consistency, it’s a sure way to get a good and delicious meal. I love heading to Myeongdong to go…
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Cotton Candy Vending Machine In Korea: Our Sugar Crush
I don’t know how you grew up, but for me, cotton candy was always a treat solely available at festivals, carnivals, and other similar local events. To be walking down the metropolitan streets of Seoul, Korea and spot a cotton candy cloud in the shape of a flower was absolutely one of the most unexpected sugary treats to see. Granted we were in the lively and young Hongdae district of Seoul, but still, have you ever seen a vending machine that makes cotton candy in your choice of a flower design? Get ready to if you’re planning to visit Seoul, Korea. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
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One Of The Best Makgeolli Bars In Seoul: Sanullim 1992
When you look up bars in Seoul, you’re more often shown the newest and most modern spaces to enjoy libations. The thing is, the holes in the wall and the cozy wooden more traditional-themed pubs so so often provide some of the best places to drink in Seoul. Take Sanullim 1992 (산울림1992), one of the best bars in Hongdae, it’s cozy and rich with Korean culture not to mention it has a stunning menu of over 200 Korean traditional alcohols and delicious food to top it off. While the youngest of Hongdae’s visitors are headed to the clubs or watching buskers, the older or just wiser visitors are headed here.…
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The Kimbap Cheonguk Menu Explained: What To Order From Kimbap To Noodle Soups
I was talking with some new students to Korea about budget-friendly food in Korea and where they can get simple but good Korean meals and brought up Kimbap Cheonguk, Kimbap Nara, Kimbap Paradise, Kimbap Heaven, Kimbap Country… basically, all of those budget-friendly kimbap spots. Not the most flamboyant restaurants in Korea, but plenty of food to choose from. Actually, it was while talking with them I realized how daunting these Korean restaurants’ menus are. While most Korean restaurants stick to and promote one or a few main dishes, Kimbap Cheonguk has a substantial looking menu, though if you know how to take it apart, you can easily find the right…
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Yanggaeng Is Trending In Korea Thanks To K-Pop
In yet another show of retro and traditional Korean products re-emerging and even trending in fact, yanggaeng (양갱) is hot! K-pop sensation Bibi’s latest hit, “Bam Yang Gang,” has stirred up a craze and yanggaeng, a traditional Korean jelly dessert, sales are trending up. First it was the newtro (뉴트로) trend and then the Halmennial, the combination of “halmeoni” (할머니), the word for grandmother in Korean, and “millennial” as younger connoisseurs were embracing all things nostalgic so it’s no surprise that yanggaeng is now reaping the rewards. Whether you want to try it because of the song, or are just interested in all things traditional Korean, let me fill you…
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A Tasty Journey Through Korean Kimbap: More Than Just “Korean Sushi”
I watched a video where a woman referred to Korean kimbap (김밥) as “Korean sushi” and I wondered why that moniker would ever start considering there’s no raw fish. Not to mention, it’s not Japanese, doesn’t have wasabi… okay, we’ll get to the differences between sushi and kimbap later. Suffice to say, I love kimbap, it’s a Korean food staple and if you are a newcomer and don’t have any knowledge of the budget friendly Korean food offering that is pretty darn versatile, let me fill you in on the delectable variety of kimbap available and the common misconceptions about this popular Korean food. Korean kimbap is a Korean food…
