Quintessential Korean Food

김치 Kimchi Ingredients: Cabbage (or radish, cucumber, etc), julienne radish, minced garlic, diced green onion, salted fish, salt Spiciness: Description: Cabbages and other vegetables are soaked in salt water, then seasoned with different spices before being fermented. There are many different types of kimchi, such as cabbage kimchi (the most common), cucumber kimchi, radish kimchi, cubed radish kimchi, green onion kimchi, and more. It is a health food filled with vitamins, minerals, and more.

비빔밥 Bibimbap (Rice Mixed with Vegetables and Beef) Ingredients: Rice, fernbrake, roots of balloon flower, bean sprout, beef, red pepper paste, sesame oil Spiciness: Description: A dish made by mixing rice with various other cooked vegetables. Great for experiencing different vegetables, pleasing to the eye, and full of nutrients. Jeonju's variation of bibimbap is most famous.

불고기 Bulgogi (Beef in a Soy sauce Marinade) Ingredients: Beef (or pork), pear juice or sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, diced green onion, sesame oil Spiciness: Description: Beef or pork is sliced thinly then marinated in seasoning before being grilled.

갈비 구이 Grilled Galbi (Seasoned ribs) Ingredients: Beef rib (or pork rib), sugar, soy sauce, diced green onion, minced garlic, sesame oil Spiciness: Description: Ribs of beef or pork are sliced into easy to eat portions, then marinated in seasonings before being grilled. Suwon galbi is popular.

삼계탕 Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken soup) Ingredients: Young chicken, sweet rice, ginseng, garlic, chestnut, jujube Spiciness: Description: A young chicken is cleaned out then stuffed with various ingredients before being boiled to draw out a delicious broth.

냉면 Naengmyeon (Buckwheat noodles in a cold broth)) Ingredients: Noodles made of buckwheat or starch, beef broth, thin slices of beef, julienne cucumber, julienne pear, boiled egg Spiciness: Description: Noodles served in cold beef broth- the soup is refreshing. There is also bibim naengmyeon, which doesn't have soup but is mixed with red pepper paste instead.

해물탕 Haemultang (Seafood stew) Ingredients: Crab, clam, shrimp, fish, radish, red pepper paste, red pepper powder, green onion, garlic Spiciness: Description: Various seafood are boiled before adding red pepper paste and red pepper powder. The broth is both refreshing and very spicy.

김치찌개 Kimchi jjigae (Kimchi stew) Ingredients: Kimchi, pork, sesame oil, green onion, garlic Spiciness: Description: First the pork is browned in the bottom of the pot before water and kimchi are added. If sour kimchi is used, it makes a better tasting stew.

닭갈비 Dakgalbi (Chicken ribs) Ingredients: Chicken, red pepper paste, pear juice, molasses, sugar, minced garlic, diced green onion Spiciness: Description: Chicken is seasoned with various spices, then grilled before eating. Chuncheon chicken ribs are famous.

설렁탕 Seolleongtang (Ox bone soup) Ingredients: Rice, beef, beef broth, diced green onion, minced garlic, red pepper power, pepper, salt Spiciness: Description: Beef is added to beef broth and stewed for a long time before being served with rice and various seasonings. The deep, rich taste of the broth, boiled for over 10 hours, is simply delicious.

갈비탕 Galbitang (Short rib soup) Ingredients: Beef rib (or pork rib), radish, diced green onion, minced garlic, pepper, sesame oil, sesame seed Spiciness: Description: Ribs are boiled with radishes to create a savory soup. Eaten together with rice, the broth is a delight.

죽 Juk (Porridge) Ingredients: Various grains Spiciness: Description: Water (6 or 7 times the amount of grain) is poured over grain and boiled for a long time. There are many variations of juk such as pine nut juk, sesame juk, jujube juk, red bean juk, beef juk, pumpkin juk, and abalone juk.