10+ Best South Korean Recipes You Need To Try Once

South Korean cuisine is a treasure trove of bold flavors, vibrant colors, and textures that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

From sizzling street food to comforting home-cooked meals, Korean food has something for everyone.

Whether you’re a kimchi fanatic or a bibimbap newbie, these dishes are about to become your new favorites.

Ready to dive into a world of umami-packed, spicy, and downright delicious recipes? We’ve rounded up the ultimate list of South Korean recipes you absolutely need to try at least once.

Trust us, your kitchen (and your stomach) will thank you. Let’s get cooking!

1. Kimchi (Fermented Spicy Cabbage)

Kimchi is the heart and soul of Korean cuisine. This fermented spicy cabbage dish is tangy, spicy, and packed with probiotics.

It’s a staple in Korean households and pairs perfectly with almost any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of napa cabbage
• 1/4 cup Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1/4 cup minced garlic
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup shredded radish
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup water

How to Make It:

1. Cut the cabbage into quarters and soak it in saltwater for 2 hours. Rinse and drain.
2. Mix the red pepper flakes, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar, radish, and green onions in a bowl.
3. Spread the paste evenly between each cabbage leaf.
4. Pack the kimchi into a jar, add water, and seal. Let it ferment at room temperature for 1-2 days, then refrigerate.

Why We Chose It: Kimchi is iconic. It’s not just a side dish; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Plus, it’s super versatile and adds a punch of flavor to any meal.

2. Bibimbap (Mixed Rice Bowl)

Bibimbap is a colorful, nutrient-packed rice bowl that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. It’s a mix of rice, veggies, protein, and a spicy gochujang sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 zucchini, julienned
• 1/2 cup ground beef (or tofu for a vegetarian option)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

How to Make It:

1. Sauté the spinach, bean sprouts, carrot, and zucchini separately with a bit of sesame oil.
2. Cook the ground beef with soy sauce.
3. Fry the eggs sunny-side up.
4. Assemble the rice in a bowl, top with veggies, beef, and egg. Drizzle with gochujang and sesame oil.

Why This Made Our List: Bibimbap is a complete meal in a bowl. It’s healthy, customizable, and bursting with flavor.

3. Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)

Tteokbokki is the ultimate Korean street food. These chewy rice cakes smothered in a spicy-sweet sauce are downright addictive.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Korean rice cakes
• 2 cups fish cake slices
• 2 cups water
• 3 tbsp gochujang
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 green onion, chopped

How to Make It:

1. Soak the rice cakes in water for 30 minutes.
2. In a pan, mix water, gochujang, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Bring to a boil.
3. Add rice cakes and fish cakes. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
4. Garnish with green onions.

Why We Selected It: Tteokbokki is the perfect comfort food. It’s spicy, chewy, and oh-so-satisfying.

4. Japchae (Stir-Fried Glass Noodles)

Japchae is a savory-sweet stir-fried noodle dish that’s a must at Korean celebrations.

The glass noodles are chewy, and the veggies add a delightful crunch.

Ingredients:

• 200g sweet potato glass noodles
• 1/2 cup spinach
• 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup beef (or tofu)
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp minced garlic

How to Make It:

1. Boil the noodles and rinse under cold water.
2. Sauté the veggies and beef separately.
3. Mix the noodles with soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and garlic.
4. Combine everything and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.

Why This Made Our List: Japchae is a crowd-pleaser. It’s flavorful, colorful, and perfect for any occasion.

5. Korean Fried Chicken

Korean fried chicken is crispy, juicy, and coated in a sticky-sweet sauce. It’s a game-changer for fried chicken lovers.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken wings
• 1/2 cup potato starch
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tbsp gochujang
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp minced garlic

How to Make It:

1. Coat the chicken in a mix of potato starch, flour, and water.
2. Fry until golden and crispy.
3. Mix gochujang, honey, soy sauce, and garlic in a pan. Toss the chicken in the sauce.

Why We Chose It: Korean fried chicken is next-level delicious. It’s crispy, saucy, and downright irresistible.

6. Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)

Kimchi jjigae is a hearty, spicy stew that’s perfect for cold days. It’s packed with kimchi, tofu, (or beef).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup kimchi
• 1/2 cup (or beef)
• 1/2 block tofu
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp gochujang
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

How to Make It:

1. Sauté the kimchi in sesame oil.
2. Add water, gochujang, and onion. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add tofu and cook for another 5 minutes.

Why This Made Our List: Kimchi jjigae is comfort in a bowl. It’s spicy, savory, and oh-so-hearty.

7. Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Pancake)

Haemul pajeon is a crispy, savory pancake loaded with seafood and green onions. It’s perfect for sharing.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup seafood mix (shrimp, squid, etc.)
• 1/2 cup green onions
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp vinegar

How to Make It:

1. Mix flour, water, and egg into a batter.
2. Add seafood and green onions.
3. Fry in a pan until crispy on both sides.
4. Serve with soy sauce and vinegar dipping sauce.

Why We Selected It: Haemul pajeon is crispy, savory, and perfect for seafood lovers.

8. Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken)

Dakgalbi is a fiery and flavorful stir-fried chicken dish from Korea’s Chuncheon region.

It’s packed with spicy gochujang (Korean chili paste), tender chicken, and fresh vegetables.

Best enjoyed sizzling hot, this dish is often paired with rice or wrapped in lettuce for extra crunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1/2 cabbage (chopped)
• 1 small sweet potato (sliced thin)
• 1/2 onion (sliced)
• 1/2 cup rice cakes (tteok, optional)
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

For the Marinade:

• 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp ginger (grated)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

How to Make It:

1. In a bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients and coat the chicken pieces. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add cabbage, sweet potatoes, onions, and rice cakes. Stir-fry everything together until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender (about 10-15 minutes).
4. Sprinkle green onions on top and serve hot with rice or lettuce wraps.

Why Did This Make It to Our List?

Dakgalbi is a bold and satisfying dish that brings together spice, sweetness, and smokiness in every bite.

The combination of marinated chicken, crunchy veggies, and chewy rice cakes creates an unforgettable flavor explosion.

If you love Korean food, this is a must-try!ur List: Samgyeopsal is a Korean BBQ classic. It’s fun, interactive, and delicious.

9. Sundubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

Sundubu jjigae is a spicy, silky tofu stew that’s perfect for warming up.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 block soft tofu
• 1/2 cup seafood or beef
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp gochujang
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cups water

How to Make It:

1. Sauté the onion and protein in sesame oil.
2. Add water and gochujang. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add tofu and cook for another 5 minutes.

Why We Chose It: Sundubu jjigae is creamy, spicy, and comforting.

10. Gimbap (Korean Seaweed Rice Rolls)

Gimbap is Korea’s answer to sushi. It’s a portable, flavorful snack perfect for picnics.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 5 sheets of seaweed
• 1/2 cup spinach
• 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
• 1/2 cup pickled radish
• 1/2 cup beef (or tofu)

How to Make It:

1. Spread rice on a seaweed sheet.
2. Add fillings and roll tightly.
3. Slice into bite-sized pieces.

Why This Made Our List: Gimbap is versatile, portable, and delicious.

11. Bingsu (Shaved Ice Dessert)

Bingsu is a refreshing shaved ice dessert topped with sweet toppings like red beans, fruit, and condensed milk.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shaved ice
• 1/4 cup sweet red beans
• 1/4 cup chopped fruit
• 1 tbsp condensed milk

How to Make It:

1. Pile shaved ice in a bowl.
2. Top with red beans, fruit, and condensed milk.

Why We Selected It: Bingsu is the perfect sweet treat to cool down with.

Conclusion

South Korean cuisine is a flavor-packed adventure waiting to happen in your kitchen.

From spicy stews to crispy pancakes, these recipes are sure to impress.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your apron, fire up the stove, and start cooking your way through this list.