Learning how to cook Korean food at home may seem daunting at first, especially with an array of exotic ingredients and unfamiliar cooking methods. But don’t worry, with this guide, you will be able to cook delicious and authentic Korean food in your own kitchen in no time!

For starters, you will need to understand the key ingredients used in Korean cooking. These include rice (both short-grain and sweet-glutinous), soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, gochujang (Korean red chili paste), doenjang (Korean soybean paste), and kimchi.

Let’s start with two classic Korean dishes: Kimchi and Bulgogi.

Kimchi

Kimchi is a quintessential side dish in Korean cuisine, made from fermented vegetables, primarily Napa cabbage and Korean radishes, with chili pepper and other seasonings. Here’s how you can prepare it:

  1. Rinse the Napa cabbage and cut it into quarters.
  2. Soak it in salty water for about 2 hours. Afterward, rinse and drain the cabbage.
  3. In a mixer, prepare the seasoning paste by mixing garlic, ginger, sugar, fish sauce, shrimp paste, and gochugaru (Korean chili pepper flakes).
  4. Now, slather this paste on each leaf of the cabbage and make sure it is well-coated.
  5. Once done, store the cabbage in an airtight jar and let it ferment at room temperature for about one to two days and then refrigerate.

Bulgogi

Bulgogi is a popular Korean BBQ dish. The meat (usually beef) is marinated with a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and pepper before being grilled.

  1. Slice your chosen cut of beef into thin pieces.
  2. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and pepper to make the marinade.
  3. Add the beef to the marinade and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Then, cook the beef on a grill or pan over medium-high heat until it’s cooked to your preferred level.

Remember, like any culinary journey, learning to cook Korean food requires patience and practice. Begin with these basic dishes and gradually move on to the more complex ones.

Happy cooking! Enjoy the taste, flavors, and health benefits that Korean cuisine has to offer.