맛있게 드세요! - Enjoy your meal!
Ever pondered about what the red-colored, long, sticky, cylinder-shaped thing is that is often spotted being eaten by almost every character in almost every Korean Darama that has ever been released? Korean culture has been gaining attention thanks to the Korean Wave or 한류 (Hallyu). It is a cultural phenomenon in which the global popularity of South Korean popular culture has dramatically risen since the 1990s. Thanks to Korean Pop, Korean Dramas, and Korean Games, South Korea has been able to capture the global industry by promoting its culture. As a result, Korean delicacies have also risen up to be one of the most popular cuisines in the world.
Below is a list of some of the most appetizing delicacies of South Korea that are must-try:
1. Ramen (라면)
Though of Japanese origin, Ramen is cooked differently in different parts of the world. It is simply added to the list just because this list consists of the mouthwatering dishes available in South Korea, not only the authentic Korean dishes. Ramen is a noodle dish cooked in many different styles, made with sauces suiting a person's taste and added with toppings that can vary from vegetables to meat. These long, stretchy noodles can be found even in convenience stores down your neighborhood. That’s how popular the dish is.
2. Tteok-bokki (떡볶이)
Let's go back to the introduction. That red-colored, long, sticky, cylinder-shaped thing is called Tteok-bokki. Tteok-bokki are rice cakes that are either engulfed in a spicy sauce called Gochujang or a non-spicy sauce called Gangang and accompanied by fish cakes, scallops, boiled eggs, cheese, green onions, and sesame seeds. Yet again, there are many variations of Tteok-bokki ranging from Cheese Tteok-bokki to Curry Tteok-bokki.
3. Hotteok (호떡)
Having its roots in China, Hotteok traveled the seas to South Korea during the 19th century. Since then, every street in South Korea has had a shop selling these famous sweet-filled Korean pancakes. Having the same texture as any other pancake, Hotteok stands out thanks to the flavorsome fillings that vary from brown sugar, peanuts, ground coconut, or sesame seeds.
4. Kimchi (김치)
A famous Banchan or sidedish of South Korea, there is not a single meal that is eaten without Kimchi. Kimchi is a dish that contains salted and fermented vegetables, most commonly Raddish and cabbage, seasoned with Gochugara (spicy chili powder), garlic, ginger, and spring onions. Almost paired with every dish, Kimchi has emerged to be a symbol of Korean cuisine.
5. Pork Belly (삼겹살)
A constituent of every barbecue table, pork belly, or samgyeobsal is a widely eaten three-layered pork. Often grilled with a plain flavor, it is often wrapped in lettuce and perilla leaves and paired with garlic cloves, green onion salad, and spicy chili paste or ssamjang (a mix of soybean paste) or sauces of different kinds.
6. Samgyetang (삼계탕)
Unlike other cultures in the world, which fight off the heat with cold, icy food, South Koreans are known for their unique style of fighting the heat with the heat. Hence, Samgyetang or ginseng chicken soup is a very popular delicacy, present at every restaurant table during the summer months in South Korea. At home, the elders of the family, get together and make a huge container of Samgyetang for all the younger members to devour. Samgyetang consists of a broth that is made from a whole, young chicken, filled with rice, ginseng, garlic, and jujube.
7. Bibimbap (비빔밥)
In most K-Dramas, the actors or actresses are seen mixing rice and other things in a huge bowl. That’s exactly what Bibimbap is. Bibimbap is a Korean rice dish, consisting of warm white rice, topped with seasoned vegetables and gochujang. Eggs or meat can be added as per a person's preference. All these ingredients are then mixed and mashed together before being eaten. Though it accounts for a scrumptious meal, Bibimbap is more often known for its emotion of being prepared. Gathering with friends and family to make the dish creates a lovable memory.
8. Gimbap (김밥)
Rhyming with Bibimbap, Gimbap is a similar dish but presented differently. Made with cooked vegetables, meat fish, or egg and rolled into a cylinder shape with a dried seaweed sheet, Gimbap is then cut into bite-sized slices.
9. Bulgogi (불고기)
Just like Pork Belly, Bulgogi is also a common constituent at every barbecue table. Bulgogi consists of thin marinated slices of meat, most commonly beef, roasted to perfection on a barbecue grill. From Michelin restaurants to local supermarkets, Bulgogi is both made and sold. Originating from the northern part of the country, Bulgogi has made its way to become a national favorite.
10. Japchae (잡채)
Yet another famous Banchan or side dish of South Korea is Japchae. Stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables are mixed with a spicy and sweet-savory sauce. This is then accompanied, most commonly with steamed rice.
Photo credits:https://www.pexels.com/
This is so well written!
ReplyDeleteThank you ❤️❤️
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