Korean cuisine has been rapidly gaining in global popularity over the past few years and for good reason. It is a wonderful combination of savory and spicy that you can only get with centuries of culture and experimentation.

So we have laid out 5 Korean dishes that we believe you need to try, either at home or the next time you travel to Korea.

Pajeon 

Pajeon is a type of jeon that is a Korean fritter, the pa is the scallions that are prominent in this recipe.

The jeon fritters are made from an egg batter with wheat and rice flour that has been fried in oil. The batter in these fritters is a liquid so the jeon come out light and airy.

The use of scallions brings bright green color to the dish and adds to its overall appeal. You can add meat or seafood to the batter in order to add extra flavor.

Honest Food Talks has a wonderful pajeon recipe for you to try at home.

Haejangguk

This is also known as hangover stew and is commonly used in the mornings after a heavy drinking session. Alcohol is an important part of socializing in Korean culture and is a part of many Korean rituals.

The stew itself consists of beef broth, cabbage, radish, and bean sprouts. There may also be chunks of congealed ox blood or blood sausage in it.

It is a very hearty dish and is a great way to start your day if you’re not feeling in the best shape.

Bibimbap

Bibimbap is an all-in-one lunch in a bowl. You get a bed of warm rice with an assortment of toppings.

Common toppings are vegetables, meat (usually chicken or beef), and a fried egg or raw egg yolk. The exact topping varies across regions.

To season, the dish also has soy sauce and a scoop of chili paste, usually the Korean chili paste gochujang.

The dish is presented nicely with all the colorful toppings laid out on top of the rice and then it is all mixed together before eating. The toppings are completely customizable to your preferences.

Bibimbap is very filling and nutritious and is a great way of getting rid of any leftovers.

Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is a common street food in Korea. The dish involves long white cylindrical rice cakes and fish cakes that have been boiled and then coated in a sauce.

This sauce is made from gochujang but you can get a non-spicy version made from ganjang which is soy sauce based. The sauce is wonderfully sweet and spicy and pairs beautifully with the rice cakes.

Sometimes vegetables like spring onions are added to the dish in order to bring some different flavors. Due to the sauce, the whole dish is bright red/orange in color.

Kimchi

If you have heard of any Korean food, it is probably kimchi. It is a signature Korean dish and is an integral part of its food. Not only is it used as a tasty side dish, but it is also a key ingredient in some dishes like kimchi pancakes and kimchi rice. Typically the fresh kimchi is used as a side dish and the more mature kimchi with a bold flavor is used as an ingredient.

Kimchi can be dated back thousands of years and is the process of fermenting cabbage in an assortment of spices with garlic, ginger, and spring onions. It is sort of like a spicy sauerkraut.

You are able to get different types of kimchi based on the ingredients used. For example, there is a version where the cabbage is swapped with radish.

Kimchi is eaten with almost every meal with some families having their own recipe that is passed down through generations.

Kimchi is also popular because it is high in fiber and low in calories.

Conclusion

Korean dishes are a great way to expand your pallet and open yourself up to different flavor combinations. These flavors are local to Korea, but can be found and enjoyed all over the globe. There are many benefits to eating locally grown foods.

The different flavors and textures in Korean cuisine create the ultimate comfort food that can perk you up any day.

In order to make these dishes at home, it is important to stock up on some key ingredients found in Korean cooking like gochujang, soy sauce, and sesame oil.