Korean food is loved all over the world for its bold flavors, comforting textures, and perfect balance of spicy, sweet, savory, and fermented tastes. From sizzling BBQ to cozy stews and addictive street food, Korean cuisine offers something for everyone.
1. Kimchi (Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi)
Ingredients
- 1 large Napa cabbage
- ¼ cup sea salt
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp rice flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ¼ cup gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Cut cabbage into quarters and salt generously. Rest 2 hours, rinsing well.
- Boil water, rice flour, and sugar until thick. Cool completely.
- Mix paste with chili flakes, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce.
- Rub seasoning into cabbage, and add green onions.
- Store in a jar and ferment 1–3 days at room temperature.
2. Bibimbap (Mixed Rice Bowl)
Ingredients
- Cooked white rice
- Carrots, spinach, zucchini (julienned)
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Eggs
- Gochujang
- Sesame oil
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables separately with sesame oil.
- Fry eggs sunny-side up.
- Place rice in a bowl, and arrange vegetables on top.
- Add egg and gochujang. Mix before eating.
3. Bulgogi (Marinated Beef BBQ)
Ingredients
- 500g thin-sliced beef
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 grated pear
- 1 onion, sliced
Instructions
- Mix marinade ingredients.
- Marinate beef for at least 1 hour.
- Pan-fry or grill until caramelized.
4. Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)
Ingredients
- Korean rice cakes
- Fish cakes
- 2 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 cups anchovy stock
Instructions
- Boil stock with gochujang and sugar.
- Add rice cakes and fish cakes.
- Simmer until thick and glossy.
5. Japchae (Glass Noodles)
Ingredients
- Sweet potato noodles
- Beef strips
- Spinach, carrots, mushrooms
- Soy sauce, sesame oil
Instructions
- Cook noodles and toss with sesame oil.
- Stir-fry beef and vegetables separately.
- Combine everything with soy sauce.
6. Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly)
Ingredients
- Pork belly slices
- Lettuce leaves
- Garlic, chili slices
- Ssamjang
Instructions
- Grill pork belly until crisp.
- Wrap in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang.
7. Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
Ingredients
- Aged kimchi
- Pork belly
- Tofu
- Gochujang
Instructions
- Sauté pork and kimchi.
- Add water and gochujang.
- Simmer 30 minutes, add tofu.
8. Doenjang Jjigae (Soybean Paste Stew)
Ingredients
- Doenjang
- Zucchini
- Tofu
- Onion
Instructions
- Boil anchovy stock.
- Add doenjang and vegetables.
- Simmer until fragrant.
9. Korean Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- Chicken wings
- Cornstarch
- Gochujang sauce
Instructions
- Coat chicken with cornstarch.
- Fry twice until crispy.
- Toss in sweet-spicy sauce.
10. Gimbap (Korean Rice Rolls)
Ingredients
- Seaweed sheets
- Rice
- Pickled radish
- Egg, carrots
Instructions
- Spread rice on seaweed.
- Add fillings and roll tightly.
- Slice and serve.
11. Sundubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)
Ingredients
- Soft tofu
- Seafood or beef
- Gochugaru
Instructions
- Sauté protein with chili flakes.
- Add broth and tofu.
- Crack egg on top before serving.
12. Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Pancake)
Ingredients
- Flour batter
- Green onions
- Mixed seafood
Instructions
- Mix the batter and fillings.
- Pan-fry until golden.
13. Galbi (Short Ribs BBQ)
Ingredients
- Beef short ribs
- Soy sauce
- Sugar
- Garlic
Instructions
- Marinate ribs overnight.
- Grill until tender.
14. Bossam (Boiled Pork Wraps)
Ingredients
- Pork belly
- Garlic, ginger
- Napa cabbage
Instructions
- Boil pork with aromatics.
- Slice and wrap in cabbage.
15. Bibim Naengmyeon (Spicy Cold Noodles)
Ingredients
- Buckwheat noodles
- Gochujang
- Vinegar
Instructions
- Cook noodles and chill.
- Toss with spicy sauce.
16. Kimbap Tuna Mayo
Ingredients
- Canned tuna
- Mayonnaise
- Rice
Instructions
- Mix tuna with mayo.
- Roll with rice and seaweed.
17. Jjajangmyeon (Black Bean Noodles)
Ingredients
- Wheat noodles
- Chunjang
- Pork, onion
Instructions
- Stir-fry pork and vegetables.
- Add black bean paste and water.
- Serve over noodles.
18. Dak Galbi (Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry)
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs
- Gochujang
- Cabbage
Instructions
- Marinate chicken.
- Stir-fry with vegetables.
19. Kongnamul Muchim (Seasoned Soybean Sprouts)
Ingredients
- Soybean sprouts
- Garlic
- Sesame oil
Instructions
- Boil sprouts briefly.
- Season and toss.
20. Miyeok Guk (Seaweed Soup)
Ingredients
- Dried seaweed
- Beef
- Soy sauce
Instructions
- Soak seaweed.
- Sauté beef, add water and seaweed.
21. Gamja Jorim (Braised Potatoes)
Ingredients
- Baby potatoes
- Soy sauce
- Sugar
Instructions
- Simmer potatoes with sauce until glazed.
22. Oi Muchim (Spicy Cucumber Salad)
Ingredients
- Cucumbers
- Gochugaru
- Vinegar
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers.
- Toss with seasoning.
23. Gyeran Mari (Rolled Omelette)
Ingredients
- Eggs
- Green onions
Instructions
- Cook eggs in layers.
- Roll gently and slice.
24. Banchan Spinach (Sigeumchi Namul)
Ingredients
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Sesame oil
Instructions
- Blanch spinach.
- Season and mix.
25. Tofu Jorim (Braised Tofu)
Ingredients
- Firm tofu
- Soy sauce
- Chili flakes
Instructions
- Pan-fry tofu.
- Simmer in sauce.
26. Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancakes)
Ingredients
- Dough
- Brown sugar
- Nuts
Instructions
- Fill the dough with the sugar mixture.
- Pan-fry until crisp.
27. Patbingsu (Shaved Ice Dessert)
Ingredients
- Shaved ice
- Sweet red beans
- Condensed milk
Instructions
- Layer ice and toppings.
- Drizzle with milk.
28. Sikhye (Sweet Rice Drink)
Ingredients
- Cooked rice
- Malt powder
- Sugar
Instructions
- Soak malt powder in warm water.
- Add rice and ferment gently.
- Boil, sweeten, and chill.
Final Thoughts
These 28 Korean recipes cover everything from classic comfort foods to street snacks and refreshing desserts. Whether you’re new to Korean cooking or looking to expand your recipe collection, this guide gives you authentic flavors with easy-to-follow steps. Save this list, try one recipe at a time, and bring the taste of Korea straight into your kitchen.
