Traditional dishes in Korea

Visitors to Korea will discover a wide array of unique and delicious food. Korea was once a primarily agricultural nation, and since ancient times rice has been cultivated as Koreans' staple food. These days Korean cuisine also contains a large variety of meat and fish dishes along with wild greens and vegetables. Various preserved food, such as kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage), jeotgal (seafood fermented in salt) and doenjang (fermented soy bean paste) are particularly popular due to their distinctive flavor and high nutritional value.

In Korean cuisine all the dishes are served at the same time. A typical meal normally includes rice, soup, and several side dishes, the number of which vary. Traditionally, lower classes had three side dishes, while royal families would have twelve.

In Korea, like in neighboring China and Japan, people eat with chopsticks. However, a spoon is used more often in Korea, especially when soups are served. Formal rules have developed for table setting, which can vary depending on whether a noodle or meat dish is served. Food is a very important part of Korea culture, and Koreans pay great attention to the way in which food is prepared and served.

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TRADITIONAL FOODS

Kimchi 
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. Cabbages and other vegetables are soaked in salt water, then seasoned with different spices before being fermented. It is a health food filled with vitamins and minerals.

Bibimbap 
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 the most famous.

Grilled Galbi 
Ribs of beef or pork are sliced into easy to eat portions, then marinated in seasonings before being grilled. Suwon galbi is very popular in Korea.

Samgyetang 
A young chicken is cleaned out then stuffed with sticky rice, ginseng, jujubes, and garlic before being boiled to draw out a delicious broth.

Haemultang 
Various seafoods are boiled before adding red pepper paste and red pepper powder. The broth is both refreshing and very spicy.

Seolleongtang 
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.

Galbitang 
Ribs are boiled with radishes to create a savory soup. Eaten together with rice, the broth is a delight.

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COOKING STYLE

The significance for Korean sauces and condiments 
Korean sauces, which include soy sauce, soybean paste and red pepper paste, are enjoyed with fresh spices and condiments. Onions, garlic, scallions, ginger, sesame oil, crushed sesame salt and powdered red pepper are among the most popular spices in Korea.

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SWEETS & SNACKS

The popular Bungeo-ppang gets its name from its fish-like shape. This sweet snack is molded in the shape of a carp, which is called bungeo in Korean. A pancake batter-like shell is filled with red-bean paste and then baked; it is especially enjoyed in the winter. Gukhwa-ppang is shaped like a flower and is slightly smaller than that of the similar tasting bungeo-ppang. Gyeran-ppang is also made of a pancake batter-like shell, but this is filled with an egg instead of the red bean filling.

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FUNKY FOOD FACTOIDS

While the number of specific kimchi types can not be easily counted, the Korean Food Academy has categorized over 100 different types.

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VEGETARIAN CUISINE

Meat is commonly consumed in Korea. It may be used as a complementary or side ingredient or as a garnish to decorate food. This often makes it difficult to find a meat-free dish. However, contrary to what some may believe, there are a great many vegetarian foods in Korea , including dubu (bean curd), mushrooms, wild vegetables, and greens. As these are very nutritious, you can treat yourself to a meal that is both savory and healthy.

Vegetarian Restaurants in Korea 
Most vegetarian restaurants in Korea are vegetarian specialized restaurants (including buffets), temple food restaurants, or hanjeongsik restaurants. Temple food restaurants feature pure, mild tasting, and nutritious dishes. Hanjeongsik mainly consists of rice and an assortment of side dishes that are mostly namul (seasoned vegetables). In addition to vegetarian restaurants, there are family restaurants featuring salad bars, such as VIPS and Sizzler.

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FOOD FESTIVAL

Korea hosts a wide selection of food festivals throughout the year. Below are some events featuring traditional Korean food as well as a wide range of international cuisines.

Gwangju Kimchi Festival 
Organized since 1994, the Gwangju Kimchi Festival is all about kimchi - Korea’s most representative food. Visitors will have plenty of opportunities to taste different types of kimchi and can also take part in kimchi making. In 2009, the festival will be held from October 14th – 19th in and around the Gwangju Municipal Folk Museum.

Korean Traditional Drink & Rice Cake Festival 
This festival in Gyeongju features Korea’s traditional liquor and rice cakes. Visitors can sample and shop for delicacies not only from Gyeongju but also from various other regions in Korea. The free liquor sampling booths and the tea ceremony, which is served in royal costume, are some of the most popular events for international visitors.

Seoul International Tourism & Food Expo 
The Seoul International Tourism & Food Expo (SIFE) is an international festival where visitors from all over the world can enjoy various exhibitions related to the standardization and globalization of Korean food, overseas recruitment for chefs, food safety and the Seoul International Culinary Competition. The food pavilion will present various meats, agricultural products, seasoned foods, salted foods, baked goods, ice cream, chocolate, food additives, supplementary supplies, noodles, alcoholic beverages, fruits, snacks, vegetables, etc. SIFE will also play host to a culinary art competition with four different divisions--national, regional, military, and junior culinary teams.

Traditional Royal & Noble Food Festival 
The Traditional Royal & Noble Food Festival features about 180 culinary specialties in ‘Jungbo Sanrim Gyeongjae,’ a book published in 1766 during King Yeongjo’s reign. The ‘Surasang Sangcharim (a royal table)’ for the King with 12 dishes, ‘Dagwasang (refreshments table),’ ‘Sulsang(liquor table),’ and Joseon Dynasty’s seasonal table of 9 dishes, holiday ‘Charyesang (rites table),’ and ‘Hollyesang(a wedding table),’ are all recreated to their original beauty. 100 types of Korea’s tteok and hangwa, traditional Korean snacks are also prepared, along with the Royal and Noble traditional drinks and wines. There are close to 500 people who participate in this festival that include international students, embassy families, and foreigners. The festival not only recreates the food, but also recreates the king’s parade ‘Eogahaengnyeol’ with traditional clothes during the middle period of Joseon Dynasty. A demonstration of Korea’s traditional wedding ceremony, the Hambaji, and other cultural performances are held. Hands-on events include making royal court desserts and snacks, saetteok, Kkottteok(flower cake), saekdonggoritteok, and more. Visitors can try pounding grain, smoothing cloth by pounding, winnowing, throwing injeolmi tteok mallet, making alcoholic drinks, and learning drinking manners, all for free.

Namdo Food Festival 
The ‘Namdo’ province is well known for its delicious food, which is celebrated at this festival. Famous foods from the province’s cities and regions are available at the festival’s “recommended sampling stalls”, featuring delicacies such as ‘Mokpo Nakji (octopus)’, ‘Suncheon Yeomso-tteokgalbi (grilled marinaded goat meat)’, and much more. Not only will visitors be able to try some of Namdo’s mouth-watering cuisine, but you will also be able to visit an exhibition on Namdo’s traditional dishes that were served at the royal table. The festival location is held at the picturesque Nakaneupseong Folk Village, and various other attractive destinations, such as Suncheonman’s Reed Festival.

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RECIPES

Traditional Korean Recipe 
Bulgogi is slices of marinated barbecued beef (sometimes pork) seasoned with soy sauce and sugar, which gives a mild and sweet taste. The literal meaning of bulgogi is “fire meat” and therefore roasted over fire. It is one of the most popular Korean dishes and bulgogi tasted great with kimchi.

Ingredients 
Beef sirloin - 21 ounces 
Soy Sauce - 6 Tablespoons 
Sugar - 3 Tablespoons 
Crushed sesame salt - 1 Tablespoon 
Sesame oil - 2 Tablespoons 
Ground pepper - 1 Tablespoon 
Molasses - 1 Tablespoon 
Rice wine - 1.5 Tablespoons 
Onions 
Scallions 
Mushrooms 
Garlic

Preparation 
• Slice the meat thinly against the grain and marinate them in the rice wine and sugar for about 30 minutes.

• Mix the soy sauce with minced garlic, scallions, crushed sesame salt, ground pepper and sesame oil.

• Pour the soy sauce mixture over the marinated meat. Make sure the soy sauce is mixed evenly with the meat.

• Place the meat on a frying pan and cook over high heat.

• When the meat is almost fully cooked, add the sliced onions and mushrooms and cook until the meat is well done.

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TOP RESTAURANTS

Gourmet Restaurants in Seoul  
Bukchang-dong 
Bukchang-dong is located behind the Plaza Hotel, nearby Namdaemun and large office buildings. The famous restaurant area of Bukchang-dong first began with a few restaurants selling meat, rice, and liquor.

Jangchungdong Jokbal Street 
Located near Jangchung Gymnasium (Jung-gu, Seoul) are about ten restaurants whose specialty is jokbal (pig’s trotters).

Samcheongdong: Gourmet Lover's Lane 
“Samcheong” which means the three colors of blue, was given this name because the mountains, waters, and people are very welcoming in this neighborhood. This area is also appealing due to the wide variety of restaurants with a noted specialty to newly modern cuisine with a fusion style. Samcheongdong is where delightful tastes and sweet scents of traditional foods can be enjoyed together.

Famous Korean Chefs 
David Chang is one of Korea’s most notable chefs. In 2007 Chang opened Momofuku Noodle Bar in Manhattan’s eclectic East Village and has proven to be one of New York’s greatest culinary talents. In 2007, Mr. Chang won the James Beard Foundation Rising Star Award and Food and Wine’s Best New Chef Award in 2006.