Korean cuisine is the traditional food of Korea and for millions of Koreans overseas. From the complex rituals of the Korean royal court cuisine to the food of the inland cities like Seoul and the port cities of Incheon and Busan, the cuisine is varied, fascinating, and becoming internationally popular.

Korean cuisine is exotic; it derives its flavors and tastes from various combinations of sesame oil, soybean paste, soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger and, most importantly, chili pepper, which gives it its distinctive spicy taste. In fact, Korea is the largest consumer of garlic, beating out Italy. The types of food vary seasonally and relies much on pickled vegetables which are preserved throughout the year.

As had by most Koreans, it is based largely on rice, vegetables, fish, and tofu. Typical Korean meals are named for the number of side dishes (banchan) that accompany the ubiquitous rice, soup, and kimchi (fermented vegetable). Banchan dishes are intended to be finished at each meal, so it is small in proportion and replenished as they are consumed. The types and number of banchans may vary by restaurants but the servings are always ample.

The prominent feature of a Korean table setting is that all dishes are served at the same time and table arrangements can vary depending on the main dish served. All meals are normally eaten with a set of chopsticks and a spoon. The presentation of a Korean meal is almost as important as the taste.

A typical table setting consists of:

  • A personal bowl of rice, placed in either stainless steel or ceramic based bowl, usually with a cover to keep the rice warm
  • A small, personal bowl of hot soup (depending on the meal)
  • A personal set of chopsticks for eating the side dishes
  • A spoon for rice and soup
  • Various small bowls of shared bite-sized side dishes (banchan)
  • A main dish (meat/stew/soup/seafood)
Share & Enjoy
 
Sponsored Ad
Meat & Poultry
Bossam
Buldak
Bulgogi
Chadol Baki
Daeji Bulgogi
Daeji Galbi
Dak Galbi
Donkatsu
Galbi
Galbijim
Jaeyook Bokum
Jokbal
Samgyupsal
Soondae
Tangsuyuk
 
Soup & Stew
Al Chigae
Bookuhguk
Budae Chigae
Dakdoritang
Dwenjang Chigae
Galbitang
Gamjatang
Gomtang
Gopchang Jeongol
Haejangguk
Haemultang
Jogaetang
Kimchi Chigae
Koatgaetang
Kongnamulguk
Maeuntang
Mandooguk
Miyeokguk
Odeng Guk
Samgyetang
Shabu-Shabu
Sollongtang
Soondaeguk
Soondooboo Chigae
Tteokguk
Yookgaejang
 
Rice
Albop
Bibimbop
Chajangbop
Gimbop
Hweh Dupbop
Japchaebop
Japtangbop
Juk
Kimchi Bokumbop
Nurungjibop
Ojinguh Dupbop
Omurice
Saewoo Bokumbop
Yakbop
Yubu Chobop
 
Noodle
Bibim Guksu
Bibim Naeng Myun
Chajang Myun
Champong
Dongchimi Guksu
Jangban Guksu
Japchae
Jjolmyun
Kalguksu
Kong Guksu
Mak Guksu
Naeng Myun
Shin Ramyun
Sujebi
Udon
 
Seafood
Gaejang
Hweh
Jang Uh Gui
Nakji Bokum
Ojinguh Bokum
 
Appetizer
Bindaetteok
Dakdongjib
Dooboo Kimchi
Gaeranjim
Gopchang
Jeepo
Kangpoong Saewoo
Mandoo
Ojinguh
Ojinguh Tigim
Pajeon
Soondae Bokum
Tteokbokki
Yang Jang Pi
Yangnyeom Tongdak
 
Staple
Chojang
Dashida
Dwenjang
Gochugaru
Gochujang
Kimchi
Kkakdugi
Oisobagi
Ssam
Ssamjang
 
Snack & Dessert
Choco Pie
Hoppang
Hotteok
Patbingsu
Pepero
Saewookkang
Shikhae
Tteok
Yangparing
Yakuruto
 
Alcohol
Insamju
Makkoli
Mekju
Podoju
Soju
 
Kitchen / Cookware
Bopsot
Ddukbaegi
Dolsot
Dolsot Pan
Jeotgarak
Jungi Grill