10+ Korean Food Easy Recipes for Delicious Weeknight Dinners

Korean food is known for its bold flavors and unique ingredient combinations. If you want to enjoy delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen, you’re in the right place. Easy Korean recipes can help you bring the taste of Korea to your home with simple steps and accessible ingredients.

Whether you’re a beginner or have some cooking experience, these recipes are designed to fit into your busy lifestyle. From quick stir-fries to comforting stews, each dish will allow you to explore the rich culinary traditions of Korea while enjoying the process of cooking.

Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi fried rice is a delicious and simple dish you can make at home. It’s a great way to use leftover rice and enjoy the bold flavors of kimchi. This recipe is quick and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.

Start with cooked rice, preferably day-old rice for the best texture. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped kimchi and stir-fry it for a minute. You can also include vegetables like carrots or bell peppers if you like.

Next, add the rice and mix well. Season with soy sauce and a bit of gochujang for some heat. Stir everything together until heated through. For a special touch, top your fried rice with a fried egg.

Ingredients

• 1 cup kimchi, chopped
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• Optional: diced vegetables, cooked meat, eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the kimchi and stir-fry for 1 minute.
3. Add the cooked rice and mix well.
4. Stir in soy sauce and gochujang.
5. Cook until everything is heated through.
6. Top with a fried egg if desired.

Bibimbap Bowls

Bibimbap is a colorful and delicious Korean rice bowl. It features rice topped with various ingredients like vegetables and meat. It is often served with a fried egg on top and spicy gochujang sauce.

You can customize your bibimbap with your favorite ingredients. Common choices include sautéed spinach, carrots, and mushrooms. You can also add marinated beef or tofu for protein.

To make it even more enjoyable, mix everything together before eating. The combination of flavors and textures is delightful. It’s a fun and satisfying dish that you can easily prepare at home.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup beef or tofu
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the rice as per package instructions.
2. Sauté spinach, carrots, and mushrooms in sesame oil for a few minutes.
3. In a separate pan, cook the beef or tofu until done.
4. Fry the egg sunny-side up.
5. In a bowl, layer the rice, vegetables, and meat.
6. Top with the fried egg and drizzle with gochujang.

3) Bulgogi Beef Sliders

Bulgogi beef sliders are a delicious and easy way to bring Korean flavors to your meal. The tender beef is marinated in a tasty mix, then cooked to perfection. You can use slider buns for a fun twist on traditional bulgogi.

To start, thinly slice beef sirloin and marinate it in a mix of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and ginger. This gives the beef its sweet and savory flavor. You can let it marinate for at least an hour for the best taste.

While the beef is marinating, prepare your toppings. Slaw made with cabbage and carrots adds a nice crunch. You could also use pickled radishes for a zesty bite.

Once everything is ready, cook the beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until it’s browned. Then, assemble your sliders with the beef and your chosen toppings.

Ingredients

• Beef sirloin
• Soy sauce
• Sugar
• Garlic, minced
• Ginger, minced
• Slider buns
• Cabbage slaw or pickled radishes

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice beef thinly.
2. Mix soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
3. Marinate the beef for at least one hour.
4. Cook beef in a skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Assemble sliders with toppings of your choice.

4) Spicy Tteokbokki

Spicy Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food that you can easily make at home. This dish features chewy rice cakes tossed in a savory and spicy sauce. It’s perfect for a quick snack or a fun meal.

For the recipe, you will need Korean rice cakes. You can usually find them in Asian grocery stores. The key ingredient is gochujang, which gives Tteokbokki its signature spiciness and flavor.

You can also add fish cakes or vegetables to make it heartier. The combination of flavors is truly delicious. Plus, it takes about 20 minutes to cook, making it a fast treat for any day.

Ingredients

• 350g (12 ounces) Korean rice cakes
• 150g (5.3 ounces) Korean fish cakes
• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups water
• Optional: sliced green onions or boiled eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the rice cakes in warm water for about 10 minutes if they are hard.
2. In a pan, mix water, gochujang, and sugar. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the rice cakes and fish cakes. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat.
4. Stir occasionally until the sauce thickens.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

5) Kimchi Stew

Kimchi stew, or kimchi jjigae, is a comforting Korean dish. It’s perfect for using up leftover kimchi. The flavors blend together to create a warm and satisfying meal.

To make this dish, you need some basic ingredients. Skins of pork, aged kimchi, tofu, and spices give it a rich taste. You can also add vegetables like onions and green onions for extra flavor.

Cooking kimchi stew is simple. First, start by making a broth with anchovies or just plain water. Then, add the pork and let it cook until tender. Stir in your kimchi and cook for a while longer. Finally, add tofu and season to your liking.

Ingredients

• 180g pork belly, cut into pieces
• 3/4 cup aged kimchi
• 1/4 small brown onion, sliced
• 1 tofu block, cubed
• 1 Tbsp rice wine
• Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the broth by boiling water or anchovy stock.
2. Add pork to the broth and cook until tender.
3. Stir in the aged kimchi and onion.
4. Cook for about 10 minutes.
5. Add tofu and season with gochugaru, salt, and pepper.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

6) Japchae Noodles

Japchae is a popular Korean dish made with sweet potato noodles, also known as glass noodles. These noodles are chewy and absorb flavors well, making them a favorite in many homes.

You can enjoy Japchae with a variety of colorful vegetables like carrots, spinach, and bell peppers. If you like, add some meat like beef or chicken for extra protein. The dish is usually flavored with soy sauce and sesame oil, providing a delicious taste.

Making Japchae is easy and fun. You can serve it warm or at room temperature. It’s perfect as a main dish or a side at gatherings.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces sweet potato noodles
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Optional: 8 ounces pork, beef, or chicken, cut into strips

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the sweet potato noodles in water for one hour.
2. Cook the noodles in boiling water for 6-7 minutes. Drain.
3. Sauté the vegetables and meat in a pan with oil.
4. Add the noodles, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the pan.
5. Mix everything well and serve. Enjoy!

7) Korean Pancakes

Korean pancakes, also known as Pajeon, are tasty and easy to make. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them a delightful treat. You can enjoy them as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.

To make Korean pancakes, you need simple ingredients like flour, water, and green onions. You can also add other veggies or seafood for extra flavor. The pancakes are perfect with a savory dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped scallions
• Optional: shrimp or zucchini

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, water, and salt.
2. Stir in the scallions and any optional ingredients.
3. Heat oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
4. Pour some batter into the pan and spread it out.
5. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes each side.
6. Serve with dipping sauce. Enjoy your Korean pancakes!

8) Soy Garlic Chicken Wings

Soy garlic chicken wings are a delicious and easy dish to make at home. They are perfect for gatherings or a tasty dinner. The combination of garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of sweetness makes them truly special.

Start by marinating the wings. Use a mix of soy sauce, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Let the chicken soak in those flavors for a couple of hours in the fridge.

Next, heat oil in a deep pot to about 350°F (175°C). Once hot, carefully add the wings and fry them until they turn crispy and golden brown. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes.

While they cook, prepare a simple sauce with garlic and a little sugar to drizzle on top when the wings are done. Serve them warm and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate wings in soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil for 2 hours.
2. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pot.
3. Fry wings for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
4. Serve with extra garlic sauce drizzled on top.

9) Samgyeopsal Grilled Pork

Samgyeopsal is a delicious Korean dish made with thick slices of pork belly. It’s popular for its crispy edges and rich flavor. You can enjoy it grilled at the table for a fun dining experience.

To make it, you’ll need to grill the pork belly slices until they’re golden brown. Traditionally, it’s served with fresh lettuce, garlic, and dipping sauces. You can wrap the grilled meat in lettuce with sides for a tasty bite.

This dish is great for gatherings since everyone can cook their own meat. You can pair it with sides like kimchi and rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) pork belly slices
• Fresh romaine lettuce leaves
• 4-5 cloves garlic, sliced
• Sesame oil
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your grill or pan to medium-high heat (about 375°F/190°C).
2. Place the pork belly slices on the grill.
3. Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side until crispy and cooked through.
4. Serve with lettuce leaves, garlic, and sesame oil.
5. Enjoy!

10) Yangnyeom Chicken

Yangnyeom Chicken is a delicious Korean dish that’s both sweet and spicy. It’s perfect for anyone who loves crispy fried chicken with a flavorful kick. This recipe is simple and rewarding to make at home.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need chicken wings, potato starch, and a mix of seasonings. Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less gochugaru (Korean red pepper).

The cooking process includes marinating the chicken to soak up all the flavors. After that, you’ll coat the wings and fry them until they are golden brown and crispy.

This dish is usually served with a tasty sauce that combines sweetness and heat. It’s great with rice or as an appetizer at your next gathering.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken wings
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup potato starch
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red pepper)

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken wings with salt and pepper.
2. Coat the wings with potato starch, flour, and baking soda.
3. Heat oil in a pan to 350°F (180°C).
4. Fry the wings until they turn golden brown and crispy.
5. Toss in your favorite sauce and serve warm.