6 Korean Dishes You Can Make at Home

Korean cuisine has taken the culinary world by storm, offering a delightful blend of flavors, textures, and aromas. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, bringing the taste of Korea into your home is easier than you might think. From the tangy, spicy kick of Kimchi to the comforting warmth of Ramen, these iconic dishes are satisfying and easy to make. Chef Dheeraj Mathur, Cluster Executive Chef, Radisson Blu, Kaushambi, Delhi NCR, shares six easy recipes that will blow your mind and bring the world of Korean food to your kitchen table!

1. Kimchi

Kimchi is a tangy-spicy salad made with fermented cabbage and seasonings. It’s best paired with main dishes for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 kg napa cabbage
• 8 cups water
• 140 g Korean coarse sea salt
• 40 g cooking salt
• Kimchi Seasoning:
  • 1 Tbsp glutinous rice flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 70 g gochujang (Korean chili flakes)
  • 270 g Korean radish, julienned
  • 1/2 Tbsp fine sea salt
  • 1.5 Tbsp Korean fish sauce
  • 1 Tbsp salted fermented shrimp, minced
  • 40 g Korean chives, cut into 5 cm lengths
  • 70 g carrots, julienned
  • 20 g minced garlic
  • 1/4 Tbsp minced ginger
  • 1 Tbsp raw sugar
  • 40 g onion, blended or finely grated

Method:

1. Cut the cabbage into quarters and rinse in water.
2. Dissolve coarse salt in water and soak cabbage.
3. Rub cooking salt on cabbage leaves.
4. Place salted cabbage in a container with saltwater for 6 hours, turning every 2 hours.
5. Rinse and drain the cabbage.
6. Prepare glutinous rice paste and mix with chili flakes.
7. Combine radish, sea salt, fish sauce, shrimp, chives, carrots, garlic, ginger, sugar, and blended onion.
8. Spread seasoning on each cabbage leaf.
9. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 24 hours, then refrigerate.

2. Ramen

Ramen is a popular Korean dish that is quick and easy to make, perfect for a comforting meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 1/2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 5-6 baby bok choy leaves, chopped
• 4 packs of ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Toppings:
  • 1 lb grilled chicken, sliced
  • 2 soft-boiled eggs, halved
  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish

Method:

1. Heat sesame oil in a pot, sauté garlic and ginger.
2. Add mushrooms and cook until softened.
3. Pour in chicken stock, water, and soy sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add bok choy and simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, add ramen noodles to the broth until softened.
6. Divide into bowls, top with chicken, eggs, green onions, and sesame seeds.

3. Bingsu

Bingsu is a popular Korean dessert made with frozen berries, vanilla ice cream, and fruits.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 4 cups frozen mango
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 scoops vanilla ice cream

Method:

1. Mix milk, condensed milk, and salt. Freeze overnight.
2. Heat 1 cup mango, sugar, and water. Blend into a puree.
3. Scrape frozen milk, place in bowls with mango, and top with ice cream and mango puree.

4. Korean Fried Chicken

Korean Fried Chicken is crispy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1.4 kg chicken pieces
• 2 Tbsp rice wine
• 2 tsp minced ginger
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup potato starch or cornstarch
• Oil for frying
• Sauce:
  • 3 Tbsp ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp gochujang
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• Garnish:
• Sesame seeds
• Green onion, chopped

Method:

1. Marinate chicken with rice wine, ginger, salt, and pepper. Coat with starch.
2. Fry chicken at 175°C until cooked. Fry again until golden and crisp.
3. Heat sauce ingredients until bubbling.
4. Coat chicken with sauce and garnish.

5. Japchae

Japchae, or glass noodles, is a stir-fried dish with sweet potato noodles, vegetables, and sauces.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz sweet potato noodles
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp canola oil
• 1 boneless chicken breast, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 carrots, matchstick-cut
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup fresh spinach

Method:

1. Cook noodles until tender, rinse, and toss with 1/2 tsp sesame oil.
2. Mix soy sauce and honey.
3. Cook chicken in canola oil, add vegetables and garlic, and cook until spinach is wilted.
4. Add noodles, sauce, and remaining sesame oil. Toss and serve hot.

6. Mandu

Mandu are Korean dumplings with vegetable and meat fillings, served steamed, fried, or in soup.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground meat
• 1 cup mungbean sprouts, chopped
• 1/2 pack firm tofu
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 30 dumpling skins
• Dipping Sauce:
  • Soy sauce and vinegar, 3:1 ratio
  • Garlic slice, red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:

1. Boil sprouts, then chop. Squeeze water from tofu.
2. Mix all filling ingredients.
3. Place filling in skins, seal, and cook in a skillet with oil until browned. Add water, cover, and steam.
4. Serve with dipping sauce.

Enjoy these delicious Korean dishes that are easy to make at home!