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 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…
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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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How Yakgwa Is Making A Comeback in Korea
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the ever-evolving landscape of Korean trends, you might have noticed a sweet(ish) sensation making a comeback: yakgwa (약과). 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. If you’ve been living in Korea for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen yakgwa from time to time, but now it’s having a major moment and you can find them more and more and…
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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: The Korean Shaved Ice Dish You’ll Love
Bingsu, also sometimes spelled bingsoo, is a refreshing Korean dessert that is a summertime staple and has gained popularity worldwide thanks to Korean dramas and the Hallyu Wave. You won’t generally see it all year round, though there are some popular cafes that continue to offer the dish, it’s most popular in the summer in Korea and starts appearing on street food carts and in restaurants around late April and early May. Bingsu has become so popular and has gone through quite the evolution even in just the past decade. With traditional options and now more trendy versions too, this is a part of Korean cuisine you’ll want to try. …
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Nurungji: The Korean Burnt Rice Dish You’ll Love
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. 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 post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at…
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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, then you’ve probably heard of the spicy goodness of tteokbokki. Not as spicy as Buldak Ramen, but still spicy if you ask me. Tteokbokki is a side dish or street food that is commonly purchased by teenagers for after-school snacks, a spicy pick-me-up, or a late night street food cart favorite. You can easily find tteokbokki at street food carts in districts like Hongdae and Myeongdong as well as prevalent in Korean traditional markets. If you’re not in Korea though, or just want to enjoy this spicy Korean dish at home, keep reading. Here are some of the best instant tteokbokki options and how to…
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Everything You Should Know About Korean Chopsticks & How To Use Them
One of the first things travelers notice when they sit down to eat in Korea is that their chopsticks are metal not wooden like they’re used to back home when ordering Asian food. Using metal chopsticks is a whole new obstacle, but we’ll get to that. There are so many reasons to love Korean chopsticks. They’re eco-friendly, sustainable, and while it might be difficult to learn how to use them at first, they will make you more dexterous. Here’s how to use chopsticks and why to love them. Learn everything about the Korean metal chopsticks: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale…
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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…
