Famous Korean Dishes - by food author Howard Hillman

The 5 most famous
Korean foods

Well-known
Korean foods

Since these names are Korean to western language transliterations, you will see many spelling variations on menus and in recipes.

Kimchi

A mixture of fermented vegetables (often cabbage). It is typically chili-hot and crunchy textured. Kimchi is served as an accompaniment to Korean dishes.

Bulgogi

Thin slices of beef are marinated in a soy-and-spice sauce, then brushed with sesame seeds, and grilled over charcoal (or gas fire) on a table brazier.

Sinsullo

Vegetables and meat are simmered in the tabletop charcoal-heated Mongolian hot-pot.

Chap Chae

Transparent rice noodles are pan-fried with minced vegetables and meat in a seasoned broth.

Mandu Kuk

This soup consist of pork and/or beef dumplings simmered in a broth.

Runners-up include....

Bibimpap

Steamed rice blanketed with vegetables, beef and egg. A small garnish of chili paste enlivens the dish.

Galbi-Gui

Broiled, grilled or barbecued beef or pork short ribs.

Kimbap

Korean-style sushi. Vegetables, not seafood, are the stars.

Pajeon

This is a Korean-style pancake. It's embedded with scallions, shrimp, grated vegetables, whatever.

San Juk

Beef cubes are marinated and skewered (sometimes along with mushrooms, scallions and/or green peppers), then broiled.

Korean ingredients

Seasoning

Spicing is robust. Chili peppers, toasted sesame seeds, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and fermented soy bean paste are among the commonest flavorings.

Meat

Beef is the favorite Korean meat. Pork and chicken are also popular.

Seafood

The long coastlines and cold mountain streams yield a bounty of fish and shellfish. The latter is often dried.

Vegetables

Korean cooks show great love and respect for produce. This includes Asian-style cabbage, daikon, cucumbers, beans, mushrooms, and bean sprouts.

Chief starch staple

Rice is the leader, and is usually the short-grained sticky variety. Noodles (especially rice and buckwheat) are also popular.

Bean Curd

As in China and Japan, bean curd is widely used by cooks.

Korean beverages

Herbal, spice, and barley teas are popular dining accompaniments, though plain water is also a beverage of choice at a meal. Alcoholic favorites include beer and potent clear spirits like soju.

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