Craving a culinary adventure? I have you covered with these 24 authentic Korean recipes to try in your own kitchen.
Ranging from classics to modern twists, I guarantee these dishes will add a touch of excitement to any dinner spread with their delightful flavors and simple preparations.
1. Korean Rice Cakes
Tteokbokki, famously known as spicy rice cakes, is definitely a top-notch Korean street snack. These chewy, umami-filled delicacies are highly craveable. The addition of anchovy stock and dried kelp gives a savory touch to this dish.
This recipe includes chili paste and red pepper chili flakes, which gives it that memorable, fiery sauce. For even more flavor and crunch, I like to sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds as a garnish.
2. Banana Milk
During the 1970s, the Korean government wanted to encourage people to drink more milk to help fight malnutrition.Dairy company Binggrae developed banana-flavored milk, which gained local popularity instantly.
Of course, the kind you buy is tasty, but making your own is always more satisfying!You can use ingredients you may already have like condensed milk, whole milk, banana, and maple syrup.A touch of vanilla extract is all you need for a delicate sweetness and magical aroma!
3. Korean Chicken and Crispy Rice
This recipe of spicy Korean chicken and crispy pancake rice is truly a match made in heaven. The chicken brings extra crispness to the rice pancake, and the sauce adds so much flavor to everything. This is my go-to recipe when I have a lot of cooked rice leftover.
If you need rice, go ahead and cool it ahead of time for easy preparation.
4. Korean Beef Short Ribs
You can use this recipe to make your meat amazingly tender, so that it falls right off the bone! The secret to the perfect tenderness is to cook the meat in a slow cooker. Though this may take some time, it is definitely worth it.
To give this dish the right amount of slightly sweet and slightly spicy taste, don’t forget the gochujang, or Korean chile paste.
5. Korean Toast
This Korean toast is definitely a satisfying meal! This is also packed with nutritious ingredients and addictive flavors.
Slices of crisp toast hold a delicious cabbage patty that contains onion, carrot, cabbage, egg, and salt. The taste of street-style Korean toast is completed with a drizzle of sugar, ketchup, and mustard.
6. Gochujang Grilled Cheese
This crispy grilled cheese features three different kinds of cheese: Gruyère, fontina, and white cheddar.
The dish gets all of its flavor from the notable Korean sauce, gochujang. The crimson paste provides a spicy, sweet, and salty element. This is definitely a treat when added with melty cheese and zesty mayonnaise.
This satisfying and nutritious sandwich also includes okra, bean sprouts, and pancetta.
7. Barley Tea
In several different countries, including Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan, barley tea is known as a healthy drink. It can improve health by giving the body vitamins A and C and by getting rid of free radicals.
This tea has an amazing and unique flavor in addition to its health benefits. With its bitter undertones, light and nutty taste, it’s similar to coffee.
You can learn this timeless recipe to have a classic, healthy drink for any season, whether served cold or hot!
8. Citron Tea
Citron tea is a caffeine-free Korean drink known to promote health. As an herbal tea, it helps to cure the flu, relieve a sore throat, and calm a cough.
Yuja, a citrus fruit used in Asian recipes, is what this tea is made from. The best part is, you can mix in some sugar and honey and use every part of the citrus fruit but the seeds for a tasty, comforting beverage.
9. Beef Bulgogi
Bulgogi means thinly sliced beef that is marinated and grilled to perfection.Tender beef cuts like brisket or sirloin are typically used for this Korean barbecue dish.The incredible bulgogi sauce adds salty and nutty flavors that are savory and sure to impress.
Adding Asian pear or red apple to the marinating sauce brings a mild sweetness to this amazing dish.
10. Korean Braised Potatoes
Gamja Jorim, or braised baby potatoes, are another wonderful result of slow-braising. Freshly steamed rice pairs well with these potatoes, which are coated in a soy sauce that is both sweet and garlicky. You can whip this side dish up at home with just a few simple ingredients, though it’s typically found in traditional Korean restaurants.
If you want more flavor, use sesame seeds, sesame oil, and honey in the braising sauce.
11. Korean Fried Chicken
You have to try Korean fried chicken because it is so delicious and has a sticky, sweet, and spicy flavor. The tender chicken with the crispy crust gives it a magical combination. The flavorful sauce is just the cherry on top.
This fried chicken is a popular snack or appetizer in Korea. And yes, it definitely goes perfectly with beer!
If you want to make this a full meal, try serving the crackly, tasty chicken alongside steamed rice and sides like pickled cucumbers or radish.
12. Kimchi Pancakes
There is no doubt that kimchi is one of today’s most popular Korean dishes.
Did you know that this delicious dish can be made into pancakes? Yes, it’s totally awesome!
These kimchi pancakes, also called kimchijeon, are addictively good and full of rich flavor. For a nutritious snack, offer a soy and vinegar dipping sauce.
13. Korean Pumpkin Porridge
Another Korean dish to warm and soothe your senses is Hobakjuk, or pumpkin porridge.
This recipe blends pureed, cooked squash together with glutinous rice and seasons it using salt and sugar. Garnish with red beans for a classic look, and add pine nuts or pumpkin seeds for a satisfying crunch with every bite.
14. Korean Stir-Fried Noodles
Glass noodles made with sweet potato starch are the star of this Korean dish. Combine them with mushrooms and vegetables and then season with sesame oil and soy sauce. You will enjoy a wonderful noodle dish with slightly sweet and savory flavors.
For another tasty variation, make it spicy. To add a pleasant crunch, sesame seeds or chopped pine nuts are a must.
15. Spicy Korean Tofu
Another side dish that will satisfy your need for spice!
Spicy Korean tofu takes the classic dubu jorim to the next level, which is tofu braised in a simple, soy-sauce based liquid. To make the sauce savory and spicy, just add chili powder, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil into the mix.
For a full meal, serve the tofu alongside some tender noodles, or as one of several vegan Korean recipes.
16. Korean BBQ Sauce
If you’re craving some ultimate BBQ, here’s what you need to make delicious dipping sauces similar to what’s served at Korean BBQ spots.You don’t just get one recipe, but three.
The first is the Ssamjang, a spicy sauce for cucumber sticks and wraps.The second combines salt, pepper sauce, and sesame oil—amazing with non-marinated grilled meat.The third combines wasabi and soy sauce for meat fresh off the grill.
17. Korean Beef Tacos
Even though tacos are a traditional Mexican dish, Koreans also have their own tasty and filling take on it. The tacos are made with small flour tortillas loaded with Korean beef, kimchi, and Sriracha mayo.
The caramelized kimchi adds a slightly sweet flavor to the dish, so balance everything out by drizzling Sriracha mayo on top with cilantro, red onion, and sesame seeds.
18. Korean Strawberry Milk
My favorite drink is strawberry milk, made fresh with pureed strawberries. Once you have this recipe, there’s no going back to the store-bought stuff. Free of artificial ingredients, this strawberry milk is a summer delight.
I prefer to add small chunks of strawberry for texture. Meanwhile, coconut milk adds a delicious, sweet flavor.
The traditional Korean drink does not have any topping. However, I recommend adding ice cream and chocolate syrup.
19. Korean Sweet Potato Latte
What is better than a creamy, light latte made from sweet potato? You’ll need this recipe to get you through those cold evenings.
With easy steps that start with steaming the potatoes and mixing them with milk and a bit of sugar, this recipe is simple. Garnish with chopped walnuts and some ground cinnamon to make it extra warm.
This drink is just what you need if you love lattes but want to skip the caffeine!
20. Spicy Radish Salad
This spicy radish salad, like Korean coleslaw, has a flavor profile similar to kimchi because it’s seasoned with the same ingredients, including garlic, vinegar, and red chili pepper flakes. You can serve it with steamed rice or use it in Korean pork wraps.
In a pinch, spicy radish salad is a great alternative to kimchi because it’s absolutely delicious and well-seasoned.
21. Kimchi
Clearly, Kimchi is extremely versatile and widely loved, having already been mentioned in a couple of the recipes. It is a symbol of Korea’s tradition of fermentation, representing ancient Korean families’ methods for preserving food. Koreans can maintain a constant food supply, even through brutal winters, because of fermented foods that became popular from the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD.
This dish boasts an irresistible umami flavor despite its intense odor. With a tangy, salty, and spicy kick, Kimchi pairs amazingly with dumplings and fried rice.
22. Korean Fried Rice
It takes under 20 minutes to make this Korean fried rice (bokkeumbap). This recipe is one of the most basic and fastest ones, despite the numerous variations of fried rice that exist in Korea. You can use it to create a tasty filling for lunch boxes or a quick meal with leftover rice.
The steamed rice should be stir-fried alongside some vegetables and crispy bacon strips, which should be cooked with oyster sauce and soy sauce. Once everything is back in the skillet, give it a good mix and add the garnish.
Mix in kimchi juice to give it even more flavor. This simple trick will give you kimchi fried rice, a widely loved variation of Korean fried rice.
23. Korean Coleslaw
A light and simple Korean salad, this is a much-loved side dish (banchan) that goes well with grilled chicken, beef, or fish. If you have some bagged coleslaw mix in your fridge, this recipe will be even quicker.
A tasty dressing is achieved by combining sesame seeds, sesame oil, red pepper, garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar. Similar to its cousin kimchi, this coleslaw side dish offers plenty of nutrients and not many calories.
24. Dalgona Coffee
You only need four simple ingredients to make Dalgona coffee, which is extremely popular in Korea and beyond. By whipping water, instant coffee, and sugar until you have a smooth foam, you can make a sweet, frothy iced coffee. With just a spoon, put the foam atop the milk, and that’s it!
Using a hand mixer will speed up the process. If you have the patience and time, you may also manually whisk the foam.