Korean Food Guide
Korean Food,
Fully Explained.
Answers to the most common questions about Korean cuisine, ingredients, and culture.
Featured articles
25 Korean Food Questions Everyone Asks (Answered)
From 'is all Korean food spicy?' to 'what is banchan?' — the 25 most common questions about Korean cuisine answered in one place.
Read more →What Is Gochujang? The Complete Guide
Gochujang is Korea's essential fermented red chili paste. Learn what it is, how it's made, how it tastes, and what to substitute if you can't find it.
Read more →Is Kimchi Vegan? What You Need to Know
Traditional kimchi contains fish sauce or salted shrimp, making it non-vegan. But vegan kimchi is easy to make and just as delicious.
Read more →All articles
What Is the Difference Between Jjigae and Guk?
Both are Korean soups, but they are served and consumed very differently. Guk is a light individual broth; jjigae is a thick, shared stew.
What Is Banchan? Korea's Side Dish Culture Explained
Banchan are the small shared side dishes that surround every Korean meal. Understanding banchan is key to understanding Korean dining culture.
How Spicy Is Korean Food, Really?
Korean food has a reputation for being extremely spicy, but the reality is more nuanced. Many beloved Korean dishes are mild or not spicy at all.
What Is Doenjang? Korea's Fermented Soybean Paste
Doenjang is Korea's deeply fermented soybean paste — older, stronger, and more complex than Japanese miso. It is the soul of doenjang jjigae.
Korean BBQ: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Korean BBQ (KBBQ) is both a cooking method and a full dining experience. Here is everything you need to know before your first visit — or to cook it at home.
The History of Kimchi: From Ancient Preservation to Global Icon
Kimchi has been made in Korea for over 2,000 years, but the version we know today — red and spicy — is only about 400 years old.
What Is Tteokbokki? Korea's Iconic Street Food
Tteokbokki — chewy rice cakes in spicy gochujang sauce — is the most iconic Korean street food. Here is everything you need to know about it.
Korean Fermented Foods: A Guide to Jang and Kimchi
Korea has one of the world's most sophisticated fermentation traditions. Here is a guide to the essential fermented ingredients in Korean cooking.
15 Dishes You Must Try in Korea
From street food stalls to local restaurants, here are the 15 essential Korean dishes every visitor should try — and where to find them.
How to Cook Korean Rice Perfectly
The right rice and the right technique make all the difference. Here is how Koreans cook the short-grain rice that forms the base of every meal.
Traditional Korean Desserts and Sweet Treats
Korean desserts are less sweet than Western ones but no less complex. From tteok to bingsu, here is a guide to Korean sweet foods.
5 Essential Korean Flavor Principles Every Cook Should Know
Korean cuisine is built on a set of flavor principles that guide every dish. Understanding them transforms how you cook and taste Korean food.
How a Korean Meal Is Structured
A Korean meal follows a specific structure: rice, soup, and multiple shared side dishes. Understanding this structure changes how you approach Korean cooking.