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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Yanggaeng: What Is This Korean Jelly Dessert and Where To Buy It
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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Korean Kimbap: What It Is, Kinds To Try and Where To Eat It In Seoul
I watched a video once where someone referred to Korean kimbap (김밥) as “Korean sushi” and I have thought about it ever since. There’s no raw fish, it’s not Japanese, there’s no wasabi, but I can sort of kind of understand how it happens. They look similar in photographs. Kimbap is one of the most everyday foods in Korea, a food so common that when I decided to write this article, I realized I barely had any photos of it in my collection. It’s just always been there. Picnics, school lunch boxes, quick meals grabbed from a convenience store, casual restaurant orders. If you’re new to Korean food and want…
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Korean Persimmons: The Culture, The Folktales, The Food
When autumn comes to Korea there’s no other fruit that represents the season better than persimmon, or gam (감). If you take a trip into the rural countryside of Korea, you will spot beautifully vibrant persimmon hanging everywhere. If you stay in Seoul, you’ll find persimmon desserts and snacks abound. I hadn’t had persimmon before coming to Korea and when I first got some, I had no idea how to eat it. Is it supposed to be so smushy? Is it supposed to be dried? Candied? I was lucky enough to live near some Korean grandmothers who taught me how to best enjoy Korean persimmons and so I wanted to…
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The Most Unique Convenience Store In Hongdae: The Ramyun Library
For noodle aficionados and culinary adventurers alike, a new must-visit spot has emerged in Hongdae, Seoul. Already a super popular place to go, there are a ton of things to do in Hongdae and now eating Korean ramen in a convenience store is one of them. The CU convenience store chain has unveiled the Ramyeon Library. Shop til you drop in Hongdae and then hit up this Instagrammable spot for a quick bite on the go. The design of this convenience store is an innovative response to the evolving consumer habits and and major interest in ramyeon from not just Koreans but visiting tourists alike. Korean ramyeon has become super…
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OUL: A Unique Blend of Heritage and Modern Mixology in Seoul
When I first moved to Seoul, I was young dumb and, let’s face it, skint (a word I learned form my British roommate at the time) for most of my time. We frequented cheap pubs and drank beers outside of convenience stores, which is not illegal in Korea FYI. Having gotten older wiser and having less nights out, when I do go out, now I’m on the hunt for the best bars in Seoul, upscale cocktail bars, and just generally unique bars in Seoul. One bar where all of those describers ring true is in the lux Four Seasons Hotel. Hotels can have some pretty cool bars, let’s be honest,…
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Chimaek: What It Is, Why Koreans Love It and Where To Have It In Seoul
There’s a verb Koreans use that tells you everything about chimaek. They don’t say “shall we eat chimaek?”, they say “shall we do chimaek?” (치맥 하러 갈래?). The use of “do” rather than “eat” is not accidental. Chimaek is not just a meal. It’s an activity, a ritual, a reason to gather as fundamental to Korean social life as the barbecue is to a summer Saturday in the American South. Chimaek (치맥) combines “chi” from chicken (치킨) and “maek” from maekju (맥주, beer). The pairing is older than the word, but the word itself became official enough to enter the Korean dictionary, which tells you something about how seriously this…
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Yakgwa: The Traditional Korean Honey Cookie That’s Having a Moment
If you’ve been watching Korean food trends, you’ve probably noticed a sweet revival: yakgwa (약과) is everywhere. This traditional Korean dessert that you can often find in Korean tea houses and other traditional locales has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity among South Korea’s younger generations, specifically the “halmaennials,” a nostalgic generation that blends the essence of millennials and Gen Z with the tastes of their grandmothers. This traditional Korean dessert, once the domain of royal ceremonies, temple rites, and holiday tables, has become one of the most talked-about snacks in Korea, showing up in convenience stores, upscale specialty shops, and celebrity gift bags. If you’ve been in Korea for…
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Korean Fried Chicken Guide: The Best Chains, What To Order and Where To Go In Seoul
Korea has more fried chicken restaurants than McDonald’s and Starbucks locations combined. That statistic, reported by the Korea Herald in 2015, gives you some sense of how seriously Koreans take their chicken, and how many options you’re walking into when you visit. Korean fried chicken is different from what most visitors expect. It’s double-fried, which gives it a crispiness that holds up longer than American-style fried chicken. The sauces are varied and bold, soy-based, gochujang-based, cheese-based, and combinations that don’t exist anywhere else. And the chimaek experience, sitting in a chicken hof with a cold beer and a shared plate of mixed chicken, is one of the most satisfying ways…
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Bingsu: What It Is, Popular Flavors and The Best Spots In Seoul
Bingsu (빙수), also sometimes spelled bingsoo, is a Korean shaved ice dessert that is a summertime staple across the country. It has gained international recognition thanks to Korean dramas and the broader Hallyu Wave, but experiencing it in Korea in the heat of July is something entirely different from seeing it in a drama. You won’t generally find bingsu year-round, though some dedicated cafes do offer it outside the main season. It starts appearing on street food carts and in restaurants around late April and early May, peaks through summer, and tapers off in autumn. The range of bingsu available today is remarkable. The classic patbingsu, the one I first…
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Nurungji: What Is Korean Burnt Rice and How To Make It
Nurungji (누룽지) is a traditional Korean delicacy that holds a prominent place in Korean cuisine and if you’re my daughter, it’s your favorite Korean comfort food. Called burnt rice or scorched rice, nurungji is the crispy, golden crust that forms at the bottom of the hot pot when cooking rice. The name makes it sound like a mistake. It isn’t. It’s intentional, beloved, and more versatile than most people expect. Want to learn more about nurungji, including its health benefits, when Koreans typically enjoy it, and how to make this delectable treat, you’ve come to the right spot. Learn more about one of our favorite Korean comfort foods, nurugnji: (This…
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What To Eat In Myeongdong: Best Restaurants and Street Food in Seoul
Myeongdong is one of the most popular districts in Seoul, Korea for tourists to stay, eat, shop, and more. If you’re looking for one of the most central districts in Seoul to stay, it’s Myeongdong. If you’re looking for plenty of shopping from Kbeauty to apparel, it’s Myeongdong. There are so many things to do in Myeongdong too. What you may not realize though, is that Myeongdong can also be a foodie paradise. This article is all about what to eat in Myeongdong, the best restaurants in Myeongdong, and the very delicious street food in Myeongdong. Get ready to eat eat eat… between shopping stops I’m sure. Myeongdong in Seoul,…
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Best Instant Tteokbokki: Where To Buy It and How To Make It
If you like Korean food, you’ve probably encountered tteokbokki, the spicy rice cake dish that’s a staple of Korean street food carts, traditional markets, and after-school snack runs. You can find it at street food stalls across Hongdae and Myeongdong, piled up in Gwangjang Market, and eaten by Korean teenagers as naturally as chips. Not as incendiary as Buldak Ramen, but still legitimately spicy in its classic form. If you’re not in Korea right now, or if you’ve been and want to recreate the experience at home, the good news is that instant tteokbokki has become excellent over the past few years. There are now options ranging from butter and…
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Korean Chopsticks: Why They’re Metal, How To Use Them and Proper Etiquette
One of the first things travelers notice when they sit down to eat in Korea is that their chopsticks are metal, not the wooden or bamboo ones they’re used to at Asian restaurants back home. It’s a small thing but it changes the experience noticeably thanks to the weight, the grip, the feel against the fingers. Using metal chopsticks is an altogether different skill from wooden ones, and it takes some adjustment. The reasons Korean chopsticks are metal go much further back than most people expect. The history runs from royal poison detection to a post-war government policy, and the story makes the chopstick sitting next to your bowl of…
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3 Great Dessert Spots In Seoul To Try Now
It’s heating up outside. Seoul in the summer is hot, sticky, and humid. There are plenty of ways to cool off though whether you’re eating the delicious cold Korean soups, dipping into the pools and streams, or enjoying the air conditioners of the museums. If those don’t quite hit the spot though, maybe some cold ice cream or gelato will. I took an adventure out to try some of the delicious cold treats around town this week and here are three ice cream/gelato joints that offer unique flavors and a great time if you’re looking to cool off this summer in Korea. Frozen treats are the way to go if…
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Ramyeon: What It Is & The 13 Best Korean Instant Noodles to Try
Ramyeon (라면) is Korea’s iconic instant noodle, spicy, savory, and cooked in under five minutes. Made from wheat noodles and a concentrated flavor packet, it typically comes in a bold red broth built on gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) or gochujang (fermented chili paste). It is not the same as Japanese ramen, which is a fresh, slow-cooked restaurant dish with a milder broth. Korean ramyeon is pantry food, comfort food, and, if you know what you’re doing, genuinely delicious food. Korea produces some of the best instant noodles in the world. The brands are different, the heat levels vary wildly, and once you know which ones to reach for, it’s hard…
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Seoulbox: Your Favorite Korean Snacks In One Place
(Note: Seoulbox has discontinued service.) Do you want to up your snack game? Or just want to try some different snacks? Korea has some pretty interesting snack options and Seoulbox has everything covered for all of your snacking needs. There are some fun and even cute Korean subscription box options out there but this one takes the cake when it comes to fun, quirky, and delicious edible options from Seoul. Seoulbox sent us three boxes to check out for this review. Want to know what’s in this awesome Korean snack subscription box? Let’s go. Let’s dive in to see what is in the best Korean snack box: (This post contains…
