Top 100 Korean Foods

Galbi or kalbi refers to a variety of grilled beef short ribs dishes popular in South Korea. The ribs are marinated in a sweet sauce consisting of soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, sesame oil, and garlic. Although the name of the dish translates to ribs, chicken or pork meat can also be used. The dish originates from 18th-century Korea, when killing cows was strictly forbidden. As workers were building the Hwa Castle, they needed to be well-fed, so King Jeongjo allowed the opening of only one slaughterhouse in the whole country to process beef and feed the hungry workers. Of course, it didn't stop at just one slaughterhouse, and that is the best recommendation for trying the dish for yourself. Galbi is typically accompanied by kimchi, red bean paste or rice, but it can also be wrapped up in lettuce leaves with a variety of other vegetables. Due to galbi's great balance of sweet and savory flavors and rising popularity, the dish even has its own annual festival since 1995, called the Suwon Galbi Festival, offering the visitors a chance to indulge in this celebrated delicacy.Expand

In the American, French, German, Brazilian, and Korean systems of primal beef cuts, the tenderloin is a cut from the loin, which is located towards the back of the cow, nestled under the ribs, next to the backbone. It spans two primal cuts: the short loin and the sirloin. The tenderloin is one of the most tender cuts of beef as it comes from a muscle that doesn't get much exercise. It is also one of the most highly prized and correspondingly expensive cuts of beef, due to its tenderness and flavor. Given the tenderness of this cut, the tenderloin is often cooked quickly over high heat, with methods such as grilling or broiling. It's often served slightly rare to maintain its tender texture.Expand

Dak galbi is the South Korean variety of stir-fried chicken. It is a communal dish that's cooked tableside, on large cast iron skillets. Typical elements in dak galbi include various chicken cuts, cabbage, tteok rice cakes, carrots, chili peppers, and sweet potatoes. When served in restaurants, the server will bring all the ingredients and cook the dish for the guests. Occasionally, perilla leaves are incorporated into dak galbi, but the final addition is always a generous amount of spicy sauce made with spicy chili paste, chili flakes, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and onions. It is put on top of dak galbi and mixed until all the elements are completely coated in it. At the end of the meal, when there is still some food left in the skillet, a common tradition is for the server to add rice into the skillet and create an unusual variety of fried rice. Several vegetable side dishes are usually served alongside dak galbi, and lettuce or perilla leaves are occasionally used instead of utensils as crunchy wrappers. Dak galbi is now considered a Korean classic, but it originated as a frugal dish in the 1960s. Since then, it has spread from Chuncheon to other parts of South Korea. Although it can be prepared at home, it is typically eaten in specialized dak galbi restaurants.Expand

Kimchi jjigae is a flavorful Korean stew that employs kimchi as its base ingredient. Other elements usually include diced tofu, pork, or seafood, along with scallions and other vegetables such as potatoes or zucchinis. Kimchi stew is one of the most common dishes enjoyed in South Korea, and it is traditionally served as a communal meal, and should always be piping hot. The dish is best prepared with older kimchi since it tends to impart more flavor to the stew. Kimchi jjigae is usually served with rice on the side, as well as other traditional Koran sides (banchan).Expand

Yukhoe is the Korean version of steak tartare, consisting of thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and sugar. The concoction is then seasoned with salt and pepper. The dish is always served with a raw egg yolk on top, while thinly sliced Korean pear is an often-seen addition served on the side. The name of the dish is derived from two words: yuk, meaning meat, and hoe, meaning sashimi. No one is yet sure about the origins of yukhoe, but some say it originated in China, while the others claim it was first served at the Korean Royal Court. Today, the dish is traditionally consumed by dipping the meat in raw egg yolks or in chogochujang sauce, consisting of chili, sugar, vinegar, and honey.Expand

This gimbap (Korean rice roll) is made with canned tuna. Apart from rice and fish, the fillings may include other ingredients that are typically used in gimbap such as fresh or pickled vegetables, eggs, or fish cakes, while the tuna is often mashed and then combined with mayonnaise, mustard, and spices. The roll is traditionally wrapped in toasted seaweed, and it is served sliced into small, bite-size pieces.Expand

Gejang is a Korean dish consisting of marinated crabs. The traditional marinade is usually based on soy sauce, and it goes under the name gejang gejang, while its spicier counterpart is known as yangnyeomgejang. The crabs are always alive when they are marinated, and it is recommended to prepare it with female crabs since they are usually filled with roe. The dish is traditionally served with rice on the side.Expand

This South Korean classic consists of thinly sliced fatty pork cuts that are marinated and then grilled or pan-fried. The marinade is based on gochujang - a spicy Korean chili paste - and additions such as soy sauce, chili flakes, rice wine, garlic, and ginger. Also known as dwaejigogi bokkeum, this pork dish is commonly prepared at home, and it is a staple at Korean restaurants. Jeyuk bokkeum is usually served with lettuce or perilla leaves that are meant to be used as wrappers, while other accompaniments include ssamjang and kimchi.Expand

Sangchu is a ssam variety that always wrapped in lettuce. The fillings typically include rice, sliced meat, and condiments such as gochujang past, ssamjang dip, or fresh and pickled vegetables. All the elements are usually served separately, and each person is able to customize the wrapper according to their preference. Apart from meat, typically galbi (short ribs) or bulgogi, the main ingredients may also include fish or other types of seafood.Expand