So here’s the deal: I’m obsessed with Korean cooking. I know I say this almost all of the time, but someone might need to put a restraining order on me to keep me away from the absolutely cozy-to-your-toes combination of spicy, savory, and wholesome flavors.
I used to be so intimidated, but you guys, it is SO much easier than you think. It’s the kind of food that feels like a party and a warm hug all at once. You’re gonna love it.
These 24 Korean dishes are about to become your new favorites. Seriously.
1. Korean Fried Rice
Is there anything better than fried rice? Yes to both. Especially a version you can get done in 20 minutes or less! It’s one of the simplest and quickest takes on Korean fried rice, and I am SO here for it.
This is my absolute favorite way to use up leftover rice and turn it into a super satisfying meal for lunch boxes. You just stir-fry your rice with some crispy bacon strips and a bunch of veggies.
The key to that big flavor is cooking the vegetables in soy sauce and oyster sauce. YUM. Just toss it all together in the skillet and finish with your garnish.
Want to know a little secret? Add some kimchi juice to the mix. It gives it so much more depth and turns it into kimchi fried rice, which is a total superstar. It’s a game-changer!
2. Gochujang Grilled Cheese
We are great adventurers when it comes to finding new things to put in a grilled cheese, and friends, this one is an absolute journey. This crunchy grilled cheese is loaded with three kinds of cheese. We’re talking Gruyère, fontina, and white cheddar.
And of course, that famous Korean sauce, gochujang, brings it all together. That crimson paste is salty, sweet, and spicy all at once. When that hits the melty cheese and tangy mayonnaise? Oh my goodness. It’s a treat.
To make it even more nourishing and satisfying, this sandwich gets packed with pancetta, okra, and bean sprouts. Just incredible.
3. Beef Bulgogi
Bulgogi! This is all about thin slices of beef that get marinated and then grilled or stir-fried to total perfection. You want to use the tender parts of the beef for this, like sirloin or brisket.
The sauce is what makes this dish so insanely delicious. It’s got nutty and savory tones with a bit of saltiness. The real star, though, is adding Asian pear or red apple to the marinade. That’s what gives this dish its mildly sweet flavor. It’s just so, so good.
4. Spicy Radish Salad
This spicy radish salad has a flavor profile a lot like kimchi. And why is that? Because it uses the same seasonings! Think red chili pepper flakes, garlic, and vinegar.
Because of that, it makes a fantastic substitute for kimchi. It’s well-seasoned, crunchy, and absolutely delicious. You can totally eat this salad all by itself, or serve it alongside some steamed rice or a Korean pork wrap.
5. Korean Strawberry Milk
This drink is my absolute favorite. It’s made from pureed fresh strawberries, and once you try this recipe, I promise you’ll never look at the store-bought stuff again!
This is pure summer in a glass, made with only real strawberries. No artificial ingredients here.
It has these lovely little chunks of strawberries in it for texture, and the coconut milk adds a fantastic sweet flavor.
While the traditional version doesn’t have toppings, I won’t judge if you add some. Ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup would be my top choices!
6. Korean Toast
This Korean toast is going to fill you up, guaranteed! And the best part? It’s jam-packed with addictive flavors and wholesome ingredients.
Tucked between those crisp toasted bread slices is a cabbage patty made with onions, carrots, cabbage, and egg, seasoned with salt.
A little sprinkle of sugar plus a drizzle of ketchup and mustard is what finishes this street-style toast perfectly. It’s a total winner.
7. Spicy Korean Tofu
Well hello there! Here’s another side dish that will totally satisfy your spicy cravings. This is a hot take on the classic dubu jorim, which is a tofu dish braised in a simple sauce made with a soy sauce base.
To get that savory and spicy sauce, you just need to add chili powder, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil to the mix. Serving it with some tender noodles makes it one of my favorite vegan meals. YUM!
8. Kimchi
We’ve seen kimchi mentioned a few times already, and for good reason. It’s super versatile and so widely popular! It’s a symbol of Korea’s fermenting tradition and represents how ancient families preserved food.
Back from the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD, fermented foods were a huge deal, helping Koreans maintain a food supply during harsh winters.
Even though this recipe makes a dish with a pungent smell, it is so full of umami that it’s impossible to resist. It’s tangy, salty, and spicy. It’s the perfect partner for fried rice and dumplings.
9. Dalgona Coffee
Dalgona coffee has been a massive hit in Korea and beyond because it’s so easy and only uses four ingredients! I mean, come on!
To get that frothy and sweet iced coffee, all you do is whip instant coffee with sugar and water until it creates this beautiful, smooth foam. Spoon that right over some milk, and that’s it!
A hand mixer makes it super quick, but if you’ve got some extra patience and time, you can absolutely whip it by hand.
10. Korean Beef Tacos
Tacos might be a traditional Mexican dish, but Koreans have their own hearty and super tasty version. Get ready for mini-flour tacos loaded with Korean beef, kimchi, and a Sriracha mayo.
You have to know, this dish uses caramelized kimchi, which gives it a slightly sweet taste. To get those balanced flavors, you’ll drizzle some Sriracha mayo on top with cilantro, red onion, and sesame seeds. It’s a flavor party.
11. Korean Braised Potatoes
Here’s another incredible dish that comes from slow-braising. Meet Gamja Jorim, or braised baby potatoes. They get coated in a sweet and garlicky soy sauce that is just the perfect partner for a bowl of freshly steamed rice.
This side dish is a staple in traditional Korean restaurants, but you can totally make it at home with just a few simple ingredients. Want the most flavorful potatoes? Be sure to add honey, sesame oil, and sesame seeds to the braising sauce.
12. Korean BBQ Sauce
The ultimate BBQ is here, and it is happening Korean-style! This is the recipe you’ve been waiting for to recreate those delicious dipping sauces from Korean BBQ spots.
And it’s not just one, but three different BBQ sauces. First up is Ssamjang, a spicy dipping sauce that’s perfect for wraps and cucumber sticks.
The second is a blend of sesame oil, salt, and pepper, which is amazing with grilled, non-marinated meat. And the third is a wasabi and soy sauce combination, which is ideal for char-grilled meat.
13. Barley Tea
Barley tea is a famous healthy drink in several countries, including Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan. It is said to support overall health by fighting free radicals and giving your body vitamins A and C.
Beyond the awesome health perks, barley tea has a really distinct flavor. It’s nutty and light with some bitter undertones, a lot like coffee.
You can enjoy it hot or cold, and it’s served all year in Korea. Once you learn this recipe, you’ll have a classic healthy drink for any season!
14. Korean Fried Chicken
Korean fried chicken is unbelievably crunchy and comes with a sticky, sweet, and spicy sauce! That crackly crust with the tender chicken inside is just a magical combination. And the oh-so-flavorful sauce is the cherry on top.
In Korea, this fried chicken is a super popular appetizer or snack, and it definitely goes well with beer! If you want a more filling meal, serve this crispy, yummy chicken with steamed rice and some sides like pickled cucumbers or radish.
15. Kimchi Pancakes
Kimchi is hands-down one of the most loved Korean dishes out there. But did you know you can make it into pancakes? It’s that awesome!
Yep, kimchi pancakes, or kimchijeon, are a real thing, and they are so addictively tasty! They’re crispy and packed with bold flavors. Serve them up with a soy and vinegar dipping sauce for a nourishing afternoon snack! So good.
16. Korean Sweet Potato Latte
A light, creamy latte made from sweet potato is just so awesome. This is exactly the drink you need to fight off those chilly nights. The steps are super easy. You just steam the potatoes, then blend them with milk and a little bit of sugar.
To make it extra warm, add some ground cinnamon and chopped walnuts on top. If you love lattes but not the caffeine, this drink is perfect for you!
17. Korean Pumpkin Porridge
Hobakjuk, or pumpkin porridge, is another Korean recipe you have to try. It will calm and warm your senses. This recipe uses pureed cooked squash mixed with glutinous rice, which is then seasoned with salt and sugar.
Red beans are the classic garnish here. But if you’re looking for a nice crunch in every bite, you should totally add some pumpkin seeds or pine nuts to your porridge.
18. Korean Stir-Fried Noodles
This Korean dish features glass noodles that are made from sweet potato starch. They get mixed with mushrooms and vegetables, then seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil.
The result is a delicious noodle dish that has slightly sweet and savory flavors. And of course, you can always make your own version by adding a little spice. Throwing in some chopped pine nuts or sesame seeds for a nice crunch is a must-try!
19. Banana Milk
Here’s a little history! Back in the 70s, the Korean government wanted people to drink more milk to fight malnutrition. But at the time, plain white milk was just too simple for most people’s tastes.
So, a dairy company called Binggrae created banana-flavored milk, and this delicious drink quickly became a local favorite.
The store-bought kind is definitely good, but it’s even more satisfying to make your own banana milk at home! If you have condensed milk, whole milk, a banana, and some maple syrup in your pantry, you’re all set.
Don’t forget a splash of vanilla extract to give it a delicate sweetness and a lovely aroma!
20. Korean Chicken and Crispy Rice
Spicy Korean chicken and a crispy rice pancake are a perfect match. The chicken gives an extra crunch to the crispy rice, while the sauce makes the whole thing so flavorful!
This recipe is my go-to whenever I have a bunch of leftover cooked rice. If you don’t have any, no problem! You can just cook and cool the rice ahead of time to make it even easier.
21. Korean Beef Short Ribs
With this recipe, you can turn tough meat into a beef dish that is so fall-off-the-bone tender! The trick to getting that perfect tenderness is to use a slow cooker.
It might take a bit of time, but the result is so amazing. Just don’t forget the gochujang (Korean chile paste) to give the dish those slightly sweet and slightly spicy flavors.
22. Korean Coleslaw
This light and easy Korean salad is a much-loved side dish (or banchan) that goes so well with grilled fish, chicken, or beef. If you have a bag of coleslaw mix on hand, this recipe is super quick.
The flavorful dressing is a simple mix of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, red pepper, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Just like its cousin, kimchi, this coleslaw is low in calories and full of nutrients.
23. Korean Rice Cakes
Tteokbokki, or spicy rice cakes, is one of the most beloved street foods in Korea. Why? They are chewy, so rich in umami, and seriously addictive!
This dish also brings some amazing savory flavors, thanks to anchovy stock and dried kelp. The combination of chili paste and red pepper chili flakes creates a fiery sauce.
For some extra crunch and nuttiness, sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds on top!
24. Citron Tea
Citron tea is a non-caffeinated Korean drink that’s well known for its health benefits. It’s an herbal tea that’s said to calm a cough, help with the flu, and soothe a sore throat. It’s made from a citrus fruit called yuja, which is a common ingredient in Asian recipes.
The exciting part? You get to use every part of the citrus fruit except for the seeds. Yes, even the peel! Just mix it with sugar and some honey, and you’ll have a delicious drink to warm you right up.