10+ Korean Food Recipes to Try at Home

Korean food is known for its rich flavors and diverse ingredients, making it a favorite for many. Finding authentic and easy-to-follow Korean food recipes can help you bring these delicious dishes into your home.

From savory stews to tasty snacks, you can explore a wide range of meals that are sure to please your taste buds.

Whether you are experienced in the kitchen or just starting out, preparing Korean dishes can be fun and rewarding.

You’ll discover the unique combination of spices and techniques that create the vibrant tastes Korean cuisine is famous for. With the right guidance, you can easily bring a taste of Korea to your table.

1) Kimchi Stew

Kimchi stew, or kimchi jjigae, is a warm and comforting dish. It combines fermented kimchi with meat and other ingredients to create a flavorful stew. This dish is perfect for cold days or when you need something hearty.

To make it, start with a base of well-fermented kimchi. You can add pork, tofu, or even beef based on your preference. The seasoning typically includes garlic, onion, and gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) for a bit of heat.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups kimchi, chopped
• 4 ounces pork belly or other meat
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon gochugaru
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Optional: tofu, scallions

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a pot, combine kimchi, pork, and onion.
2. Add water and bring to a boil at high heat (about 212°F or 100°C).
3. Stir in gochugaru and soy sauce.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
5. Add tofu if desired and cook for another 5 minutes.

2) Chicken Bulgogi

Chicken Bulgogi is a tasty and popular Korean dish. It features marinated chicken that is sweet and savory. This dish is quick to make, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

To prepare Chicken Bulgogi, you’ll need several key ingredients. These help create the delicious flavor that everyone loves.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 grams) of boneless chicken thighs
• ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Korean pear, grated
• Green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, gochujang, garlic, and grated pear.
2. Cut chicken into thin slices and add it to the marinade. Mix well.
3. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
4. Preheat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat (around 375°F or 190°C).
5. Cook the marinated chicken for about 5-7 minutes, until fully cooked.
6. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot.

3) Japchae

Japchae is a popular Korean dish made with sweet potato noodles. These noodles are stir-fried with a mix of colorful vegetables and marinated beef or tofu. The dish is often flavored with a sesame dressing, making it both savory and delightful.

You can easily customize japchae with the vegetables you like, such as spinach, carrots, and bell peppers. This dish is not just tasty but also visually appealing, making it great for gatherings.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces sweet potato noodles
• 1 cup sliced beef or tofu
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the sweet potato noodles in warm water for 30 minutes.
2. Cook the noodles in boiling water (212°F/100°C) for 5-7 minutes until soft, then drain.
3. In a pan, sauté garlic in sesame oil until golden.
4. Add beef or tofu and cook until browned.
5. Stir in vegetables and soy sauce, cooking for 3-5 minutes.
6. Add the noodles and mix well.
7. Serve hot, sprinkled with sesame seeds if desired.

4) Pajeon

Pajeon is a delicious Korean pancake made primarily with green onions. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You can enjoy it as a snack or side dish.

To make pajeon, you need a few simple ingredients. Flour, water, and eggs combine with chopped green onions for flavor. You can also add seafood for an extra treat.

Fry the mixture in vegetable oil until golden brown. Serve it with a tasty dipping sauce for a perfect balance of flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 cup chopped green onions
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Optional: seafood (like shrimps or squid)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, water, and egg.
2. Stir in chopped green onions.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat (350°F/180°C).
4. Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly.
5. Cook until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side.
6. Serve with dipping sauce.

5) Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a colorful and tasty Korean dish. It features a bowl of rice topped with a variety of vegetables, meat, and a fried egg. The mixture of flavors and textures makes it a favorite for many.

You can use different vegetables like spinach, carrots, and mushrooms. The dish is often served with gochujang, a spicy red pepper paste, that adds heat and depth.

This meal is not only delicious but also healthy. It’s a great way to enjoy a balanced mix of nutrients in one bowl.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked short-grain rice
• 1 cup spinach, blanched
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup bean sprouts, blanched
• 8 ounces beef (or your choice of meat), sliced
• 1 fried egg
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the short-grain rice according to package directions.
2. Sauté each vegetable separately in a bit of sesame oil until tender.
3. Cook the beef in a pan until browned.
4. In a bowl, add rice and arrange the vegetables and beef on top.
5. Place a fried egg on top and add gochujang and sesame seeds.

6) Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food made with chewy rice cakes. This dish is known for its spicy and sweet flavor, making it a favorite for many. You can easily make it at home!

To prepare, you’ll need Korean rice cakes, gochujang (Korean chili paste), and fish cakes. You can also add vegetables for extra flavor and texture.

Start by boiling the rice cakes until they are soft. Then, mix them with gochujang and your other ingredients. Cook everything together until it’s hot.

Enjoy this delicious dish as a snack or a main meal!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) Korean rice cakes
• 2-3 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 cup fish cakes
• 1 cup vegetables (like cabbage or green onions)
• 2 cups water

Cooking Instructions:

1. Soak the rice cakes in water for 20 minutes.
2. Boil the rice cakes in water until soft.
3. Drain the rice cakes and set them aside.
4. In a pan, mix gochujang with water.
5. Add fish cakes and vegetables, cooking for a few minutes.
6. Stir in the rice cakes and cook until heated through. Enjoy!

7) Sujebi

Sujebi is a comforting Korean noodle soup that’s perfect for chilly days. The noodles are made by hand, giving them a rustic feel and texture. It’s a simple yet delicious dish that warms you from the inside.

To make sujebi, you will want to prepare a savory broth. Many recipes use dried anchovies and kelp, which add great flavor. You can also add your favorite vegetables to make it more hearty.

The best part is tearing the dough into pieces. It’s fun and easy! Once added to the bubbling soup, the noodles cook quickly.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 4 cups water (for broth)
• 1/4 cup dried anchovies
• 1 piece of kelp
• Vegetables (like zucchini or potatoes)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the flour, salt, and water to form a dough.
2. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
3. Boil 4 cups of water with anchovies and kelp for the broth.
4. Tear the rested dough into pieces.
5. Add the dough pieces and vegetables into the broth.
6. Cook until the noodles are tender, about 5-10 minutes.

8) Korean Beef Soup (Gomtang)

Gomtang is a comforting Korean beef soup. It features long-simmered beef and a clear broth that is rich in flavor. People enjoy it for its warmth and depth, making it a perfect dish for cold days.

You can use various cuts of beef, like brisket or shank. Some recipes even include beef bones for added richness. The soup is often served with rice and side dishes for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef brisket or shank
• 1 onion, quartered
• 5 garlic cloves
• 10 cups water
• Salt, to taste
• Scallions, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the beef, onion, and garlic in a large pot.
2. Add water and bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 hours.
4. Remove the beef, let it cool, and slice it.
5. Strain the broth and return to the pot.
6. Add salt to taste and return the beef to the broth.
7. Serve hot, garnished with scallions.

9) Hotteok (Sweet Pancakes)

Hotteok is a popular Korean street food that you can easily make at home. These sweet pancakes are crispy on the outside and filled with a gooey brown sugar syrup. Sometimes, they include nuts or seeds for added flavor.

Making hotteok involves simple ingredients. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare and cook these delicious treats.

Ingredients

• 1 ⅓ cups warm water (about 100°F or 38°C)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons dry active yeast
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• All-purpose flour (about 3 cups)
• Brown sugar for filling
• Nuts or seeds (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast.
2. Let the yeast activate for about 10 minutes.
3. Add oil, salt, and flour gradually, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until smooth.
5. Let the dough rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
6. Divide the dough and shape it into small balls.
7. Flatten each ball, add brown sugar and optional nuts, then seal it.
8. Cook on a hot, greased pan for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.

10) Korean Soybean Paste Stew

Korean Soybean Paste Stew, known as Doenjang Jjigae, is a comforting dish you can easily make at home. It features a rich, savory broth made from fermented soybean paste.

This stew is perfect for chilly days or when you need some hearty warmth. You can customize it with various vegetables and meats, like zucchini and pork.

Each bite offers a deep flavor that many people love.

Ingredients

• 1 medium potato, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
• 1 medium onion, cut into ½-inch pieces
• 1 small zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup tofu, cubed
• 2 tablespoons doenjang (soybean paste)
• 4 cups water
• Optional: meat (pork or beef), green chili, and garlic

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, combine 4 cups of water with the doenjang.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Add the potato and onion. Cook for about 10 minutes.
4. Stir in the zucchini and tofu.
5. If using, add meat and cook until everything is tender.