KOREAN FOOD · 40
김치찌개
kimchi-jjigae · Kimchi stew
A bubbling stew built on well-fermented kimchi — sour, spicy and the most common home meal in Korea.
김치찌개 하나랑 공깃밥 하나 주세요.One kimchi stew and a bowl of rice, please.- 된장찌개doenjang-jjigaeAn earthy stew of fermented soybean paste — Korea's everyday comfort soup, milder than kimchi stew.
- 순두부찌개sundubu-jjigaeSilky uncurdled tofu in a fiery broth, served boiling in a stone pot with a raw egg cracked in.
- 부대찌개budae-jjigaeA spicy shared hot pot of sausages, ham and ramyeon noodles, born from surplus food near US Army bases after the Korean War.
- 떡볶이tteokbokkiChewy rice cakes simmered in a sweet-hot gochujang sauce — Korea's favorite street snack.
- 비빔밥bibimbapRice topped with seasoned vegetables, an egg and gochujang, mixed together before you eat.
- 삼겹살samgyeopsalThick slices of pork belly you grill yourself at the table, then wrap in lettuce.
- 치킨chikinChicken fried twice for a thin, crackly crust, served plain or glazed — usually delivered, usually with beer.
- 냉면naengmyeonThin, chewy buckwheat noodles in icy beef broth (mul) or with spicy sauce (bibim).
- 김밥gimbapRice and fillings rolled in seaweed and sliced — Korea's picnic and road-trip food.
- 불고기bulgogiThin slices of beef in a sweet soy-and-pear marinade, grilled or pan-cooked. Not spicy at all.
- 갈비galbiBeef or pork ribs, usually marinated sweet, grilled at the table — a celebration meal.
- 잡채japchaeSweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and beef in soy and sesame oil — a party and holiday dish.
- 김치kimchiSalted, fermented vegetables seasoned with chili, garlic and fish sauce — on the table at almost every meal.
- 삼계탕samgyetangA whole young chicken stuffed with rice, ginseng and jujubes, simmered in a clear broth — eaten on the hottest summer days.
- 설렁탕seolleongtangA milky-white soup made by simmering ox bones for hours, served with thin noodles and beef slices.
- 갈비탕galbitangA clear, gentle soup of beef short ribs simmered with radish — a classic at wedding receptions.
- 감자탕gamjatangA hearty, spicy stew of pork spine bones, potatoes and perilla seeds — a late-night favorite.
- 짜장면jjajangmyeonWheat noodles under a thick, savory black bean sauce — Korean-Chinese comfort food and the classic moving-day delivery.
- 짬뽕jjamppongKorean-Chinese noodles in a fiery red broth packed with seafood and vegetables.
- 탕수육tangsuyukCrispy fried pork strips with a glossy sweet-and-sour sauce — shared alongside jjajangmyeon.
- 칼국수kalguksuHand-cut wheat noodles in a warm broth of anchovy, clam or chicken — a rainy-day favorite.
- 만두manduDumplings filled with pork, tofu, glass noodles and kimchi or vegetables — steamed, boiled or pan-fried.
- 해물파전haemul-pajeonA crisp pancake packed with green onions and seafood — the rainy-day partner of makgeolli.
- 순대sundaePig intestine stuffed with glass noodles and pork blood, steamed and sliced — a street-food staple.
- 닭갈비dakgalbiChicken stir-fried with cabbage and rice cakes in gochujang sauce on a big pan at your table — Chuncheon's specialty.
- 족발jokbalPig's feet braised in soy sauce and spices, sliced and served cold — a favorite delivery and late-night food.
- 보쌈bossamTender boiled pork belly sliced and wrapped with salted cabbage and fresh spicy radish kimchi.
- 계란찜gyeran-jjimEggs beaten with broth and steamed until puffy and soft, served bubbling in a small pot.
- 콩나물국밥kongnamul-gukbapRice in a clear, light soybean-sprout broth — Jeonju's famous hangover breakfast.
- 돼지국밥dwaeji-gukbapMilky pork-bone broth with sliced pork over rice — Busan's soul food.
- 미역국miyeokgukA light soup of seaweed simmered in sesame oil with beef or clams — the birthday soup.
- 떡국tteokgukSliced rice cakes in clear beef broth, topped with egg and seaweed — eaten on Lunar New Year morning.
- 라면ramyeonInstant noodles cooked Korean-style — spicy broth, an egg, green onion, maybe cheese.
- 김치볶음밥kimchi-bokkeumbapRice fried with chopped kimchi and pork or spam, topped with a fried egg — the classic use for sour kimchi.
- 닭볶음탕dakbokkeumtangChicken pieces braised with potatoes and carrots in a spicy red sauce — a family dinner stew.
- 갈비찜galbijjimShort ribs slow-braised in sweet soy sauce with chestnuts, jujubes and radish — holiday and feast food.
- 제육볶음jeyuk-bokkeumThin pork slices stir-fried in a sweet-spicy gochujang sauce — the office worker's lunch staple.
- 육회yukhoeRaw beef cut into thin strips, dressed with sesame oil and pear, topped with an egg yolk.
- 해장국haejanggukA family of hearty soups eaten the morning after drinking — with blood pudding, ox bones or cabbage.