Recipes

Welcome to my Korean recipes! I hope you find something you like! If there's a dish that you want to learn that's not here, please request it. If you're new to Korean cooking, you can check out my Beginner's Guide to Korean Cooking. and if you make something delicious with one of my recipes, you can upload a photo of it to my photo page, or tag it #maangchi on Instagram or Twitter.

If you need Korean groceries, you can find them in Korean grocery stores in your area, or on Amazon.

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Recipes by category

All the recipes on my website, organized by type:

Side dishes "Banchan" (175 recipes)

Banchan often translated as "side dishes" are an essential part of any Korean meal. They are not just decoration or appetizers: they are the meal, along with soup and rice.

Also: Cabbage pancake | Sweet and crunchy tofu | Kimchi pancake | Soybean paste soup with spinach and clams | Chayote kimchi | Fruit salad | Stir-fried noodles and vegetables | Oxtail soup | Vegetarian kimchi | Vegetable stock | Korean-style mapo tofu | Fermented pollock roe | Spicy braised chicken breasts | Seafood pancakes | See all side dish recipes

Soups "Guk" (39 recipes)

Korean soup, or guk is an essential element of Korean food culture. Many Koreans feel that along with rice, kimchi, and banchan, no meal is complete without it.

Also: Vegetable stock | Doenjangguk with bok choy and tofu | Potato dumpling soup | Soybean sprout soup with rice | Mushroom soup | Ox bone hangover soup | Noodle soup | Taro soup | Clam stew | Seaweed soup with mussels | Homestyle chicken noodle soup | Beef and radish soup | Beef short ribs soup | Kimchi soup | See all soup recipes

Types of kimchi (18 recipes)

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made of seasoned vegetables and salt. Koreans eat it at nearly every meal. It can be fresh, like a salad, or it can be fermented. While the most popular variety is spicy kimchi made of cabbage, there are hundreds of different types of kimchi made of different vegetables, and not all of them spicy. Kimchi is also a main ingredient in many other Korean dishes.

Also: Quick, fresh kimchi | Vegetable and fruit water kimchi | Spicy stuffed green chili pepper kimchi | White Kimchi | Radish water kimchi | Young summer radish water kimchi | Spicy stuffed cucumber kimchi | Napa cabbage kimchi and radish kimchi

Rice "Bap" (22 recipes)

Rice is at the center of every Korean meal, with very few exceptions. These recipes express the variety and beauty of the most important grain in Korean cuisine.

Also: Soybean sprout soup with rice | Omurice | Rice with red beans | Rice balls in seaweed flakes | Sweetened rice with dried fruits and nuts | Beef and vegetable porridge | Lobster seaweed rice rolls | Fried rice | Sweet potato rice | Sweet pumpkin rice | Soybean sprouts bibimbap | Fried tofu stuffed with rice | Triangle-shaped rice packet wrapped in dried seaweed sheets | Raw fish with rice and vegetables | See all rice recipes

Preserved side dishes "Mitbanchan" (33 recipes)

Korean mitbanchan are essential side dishes that are well-preserved and kept on hand in large batches. The most well-known example is kimchi. With a few of these on hand, you can quickly make a delicious, nutritious meal by serving a few portions on small dishes with fresh rice.

Also: Spicy stuffed green chili pepper kimchi | Stir-fried garlic scapes | Spicy braised tofu | Yellow pickled radish | Braised baby potatoes | Eggs in soy broth | Green chili pepper pickles | Napa cabbage kimchi | Roasted seaweed sheets | Seasoned dried anchovies | Fried Gochujang | Raw crabs marinated in soy sauce | Seasoned Dried Radish Strips | Tofu pickles | See all preserved side dish recipes

Noodles (25 recipes)

Korea has a long history of noodle making and eating. Korean noodles, called "guksu" or "myeon" are everyday food, but also frequently served on birthdays and weddings. Traditionally a long noodle symbolizes a long life, so serving it to someone on their birthday expresses your desire that they live long and happily.

Also: Jjapaguri with steak | Stir-fried noodles and vegetables | Crispy seaweed noodle rolls | Cold spicy platter noodles | Knife-cut noodle soup with red beans | Spicy, chewy, sweet & sour cold noodles | Noodle soup | Dumpling wrappers | Homestyle chicken noodle soup | Korean ramen | Cold noodle soup with radish water kimchi | Spicy mixed noodles | Spicy whelks with noodles | Braised chicken with vegetables | See all noodle recipes

Pancakes "Jeon" (27 recipes)

The Korean word "jeon" is often translated as "pancake," but jeon are not just a breakfast food, they're eaten at all meals as side dishes, or as snacks. At their simplest they're food coated in flour and egg and then pan-fried with a bit of oil. Some incorporate vegetables, meat, and fish into a batter which is pan-fried with a bit of oil. Hoddeok is not jeon, but it's closer to the western idea of a pancake.

Also: Pan-fried perilla leaves with fillings | Simple potato pancake | Hotteok filled with vegetables and noodles | Pan-fried meat and tofu patties | Mung bean pancakes | Beef pancakes | Pan-fried rice cakes with sweet red bean filling | Shrimp Pancakes | Kale Pancakes | Ramp pancakes | Potato pancakes | Pollock pancake | Tuna pancake | Green onion pancake | See all pancake recipes

BBQ (10 recipes)

The Korean method of grilling beef, pork, chicken, or other types of meat, usually involves having a grill right on (or sometimes in) the table, where people can talk, cook, and eat at the same time. Usually the meat is already cut into small pieces before grilling, and are then wrapped into bite-sized lettuce leaf packages (ssam) with garlic, vegetables, seasoning sauce, salt, and/or sesame oil.

Also: Doenjang pork skewers | Spicy pork BBQ | Grilled pork belly | Easy bulgogi

Korean fried chicken "KFC" (7 recipes)

Korean fried chicken is typically crispy and crunchy, achieved by double-frying and with creative batter mixes. It's a modern Korean take-out food and drinking snack often served with beer and pickled radishes called chicken-mu.

Also: Sweet and crispy fried chicken

Rice cakes "Tteok" (17 recipes)

Rice cake, called tteok in Korean, is a much-loved traditional dish with many many variations. No festival day, anniversary, or celebrations is complete without them. They are very chewy, and may be an acquired taste, but once you get hooked you'll crave them all the time.

Also: Squash rice cake | Pan-fried rice cakes with sweet red bean filling | Sweetened rice with dried fruits and nuts | Korean Royal court stir fried rice cakes | Long, cylinder-shaped rice cake | White steamed rice cake | Korean-style mochi rice cake | Rice cake | Mugwort rice cake | Rainbow rice cake | Rice cake

Easy recipes (133 recipes)

If you're new to Korean cooking, these simple, delicious Korean recipes are the easiest ones I know.

Also: Seasoned seaweed | Stir-fried potato and ham | Cabbage pancake | Spicy tuna stew | Sweet and crunchy tofu | Grilled cheese & rice cake skewers | Street toast | Kimchi sujebi | Healthy vegetable rice bowl | Kimchi pancake | Soybean paste soup with spinach and clams | Chayote kimchi | Fruit salad | Stir-fried noodles and vegetables | See all easy recipes

Lunchbox items "Dosirak" (40 recipes)

Dosirak (also spelled "doshirak") are Korean packed lunchboxes, usually made at home, but sometimes store-bought. They are similar to Japanese bento or Indian tiffin, and are usually made with a few different vegetable and meat side dishes, some kimchi, and a serving of rice.

Also: Inside out gimbap | Braised lotus roots | Omurice | Braised octopus | Pan-fried meat and tofu patties | Spicy braised tofu | Beef pancakes | Rice balls in seaweed flakes | Shrimp Pancakes | Yellow pickled radish | Lobster seaweed rice rolls | Potato salad | Seaweed rice rolls | Roasted seaweed sheets | See all lunchbox recipes

Snacks (111 recipes)

Need something delicious to keep you going in between meals? These can be prepared and eaten in a hurry, on the street, in a pub, or on the go.

Also: Sweet and crunchy tofu | Street toast | Kimchi pancake | Jjapaguri with steak | Fruit salad | Stir-fried noodles and vegetables | Super-nutritious rice cake | Cinnamon cookies filled with bean paste | Crispy seaweed noodle rolls | Layered rice cake with red beans | Seafood pancakes | Sausage bread | Korean market-style fried chicken | Stir-fried chives, meat, and vegetables | See all snack recipes

Drinks (10 recipes)

Koreans have long made punches, teas, and alcoholic beverages at home, using the fruits, grains, and herbs at hand to give them flavor and variety.

Also: Pomegranate tea | Ginseng jujube tea | Soju Watermelon Cocktail | Ginger tea | Rice punch | Dessert punch with persimmon, cinnamon, and ginger

Appetizers (52 recipes)

A Korean meal doesn't usually have an appetizer as Western meals do. Side dishes may come out first, but are considered part of the main meal, not as a prelude. These dishes, however, could be used as appetizers in a Western meal.

Also: Vegetable stock | Super-nutritious rice cake | Potato dumpling soup | Crispy seaweed noodle rolls | Beef and mushrooms stir-fried over rice | Seafood pancakes | Beef jerky | Corn cheese | Dried shredded pollock seasoned with gochujang | Platter of nine delicacies | Vegetable and fruit water kimchi | Bean porridge | Braised lotus roots | Simple potato pancake | See all appetizer recipes

Main dishes (116 recipes)

Traditionally the main dish of any Korean meal is rice, which is supported by soup and banchan. However, in Korean restaurants these dishes are often presented to customers as main dishes.

Also: Spicy tuna stew | Healthy vegetable rice bowl | Stir-fried noodles and vegetables | Korean-style mapo tofu | Seafood kimchi fried rice | Kimchi stew with tuna | Spicy braised chicken breasts | Cold spicy platter noodles | Beef and mushrooms stir-fried over rice | Fish roe bibimbap | Minced, seasoned, and grilled beef ribs with cheese | Korean market-style fried chicken | Extra-strong fermented soybean paste stew | Knife-cut noodle soup with red beans | See all main dish recipes

Fermented dishes (30 recipes)

Korean cuisine has a long, rich history of fermentation going back thousands of years, and it's part of what makes Korean food distinctly Korean and incredibly delicious. These recipes range from the light and tangy to the deep and complex.

Also: Vegetarian kimchi | Doenjangguk with bok choy and tofu | Fermented pollock roe | Kimchi stew with tuna | Extra-strong fermented soybean paste stew | Extra-strong fermented soybean paste | Vegetable and fruit water kimchi | Spicy stuffed green chili pepper kimchi | Soup soy sauce | Fermented soybean paste | Korean rice liquor | Yellow pickled radish | Green chili pepper pickles | Napa cabbage kimchi | See all fermented recipes

Vegetarian (130 recipes)

Korean cuisine consists of many vegetarian or vegetable-centric recipes that use seasonal, locally sourced vegetables, often foraged.

Also: Vegetarian kimchi | Vegetable stock | Super-nutritious rice cake | Korean-style mapo tofu | Crispy seaweed noodle rolls | Layered rice cake with red beans | Extra-strong fermented soybean paste | Knife-cut noodle soup with red beans | Stir-fried chives, meat, and vegetables | Steamed flower-shaped buns | Steamed perilla leaves | Stir-fried fernbrake side dish | Omija punch with pear | L.A. style Korean pickles | See all vegetarian recipes

Spicy Recipes (120 recipes)

Chili peppers were first introduced to Korea in the 16th century, and from there there was no looking back: Koreans love a good spicy dish and use chili peppers in a number of dishes, most famously in many kinds of kimchi.

Also: Spicy tuna stew | Sweet and crunchy tofu | Kimchi sujebi | Kimchi pancake | Jjapaguri with steak | Chayote kimchi | Oxtail soup | Doenjangguk with bok choy and tofu | Korean-style mapo tofu | Fermented pollock roe | Seafood kimchi fried rice | Kimchi stew with tuna | Spicy braised chicken breasts | Cold spicy platter noodles | See all spicy recipes

Beef dishes (48 recipes)

Beef has traditionally been expensive in Korea, so beef dishes almost always use the ingredient in moderation, often mixed with (or wrapped in) vegetables.

Also: Jjapaguri with steak | Stir-fried noodles and vegetables | Oxtail soup | Korean-style mapo tofu | Beef and mushrooms stir-fried over rice | Minced, seasoned, and grilled beef ribs with cheese | Beef jerky | Stir-fried chives, meat, and vegetables | Platter of nine delicacies | Thick soybean paste stew | Pan-fried perilla leaves with fillings | Bulgogi stew in an earthenware pot | Mushroom soup | Ox bone hangover soup | See all beef recipes

Pork & porkbones dishes (25 recipes)

For a long time, eating pork was discouraged in Korea, so most uses of the ingredient are relatively recent. Koreans made up for lost time, however, with some truly delicious and iconic pork dishes.

Also: Stir-fried chives, meat, and vegetables | Spicy pork stew | Braised pig's trotters | Mung bean pancakes | Korean-style curry rice | Pork wraps | Pork cutlet | Spicy soft tofu stew with kimchi and pork belly | Army Base Stew | King-size kimchi dumplings | Doenjang pork skewers | Kimchi soup | Spicy pork BBQ | Steamed pork buns | See all pork recipes

Seafood dishes (64 recipes)

Most of Korea is a small peninsula, so Korean cuisine has a wealth of seafood dishes, prepared in many different ways: boiled, braised, roasted, grilled, dried, fermented, and raw.

Also: Fermented pollock roe | Seafood kimchi fried rice | Salt-roasted shrimp | Jellyfish salad | Dried shredded pollock seasoned with gochujang | Sautéed zucchini and shrimp | Braised semi-dried pollock | Seasoned fresh oysters | Platter of nine delicacies | Thick soybean paste stew | Fried seaweed paper coated with glutinous rice paste | Braised octopus | Octopus slices with sesame dipping sauce | Seasoned pan fried flatfish | See all seafood recipes

Staple ingredients (16 recipes)

Some ingredients used in other recipes are traditionally made at home instead of store bought. The quality of homemade is almost always better.

Also: Maesil extract | Soup soy sauce | Fermented soybean paste | Mung bean sprouts | Yellow pickled radish | Toasted sesame seeds | Dumpling wrappers | Fish cakes | Soybean sprouts | Long, cylinder-shaped rice cake