Sikhye (rice punch) is a traditional sweet Korean drink made of fermented malt and rice. As the rice ferments, the grains turn white and become spongy, releasing their starch into the liquid, which turns light amber. The punch is never fermented long enough to become alcoholic, and it’s often served as a dessert in Korean […]
This powder has a sweet, malty flavor and is an important ingredient for homemade gochujang and for sikhye. The enzyme amylase in barley malt powder converts the starch in rice into sugar at warm temperatures in water. Look for it in the beans and grains section in Korean grocery stores.
Teeokguk (rice cake soup) is a delicious, light but filling soup made of disc-shaped rice cakes in a clearish, milky broth. Koreans traditionally eat it first thing on New Years Day (Jan 1st) and on Seollal (Korean New Year’s Day) for good luck in the coming year!
Ingredients 1 medium size Korean radish, kosher salt, garlic, toasted sesame oil, vegetable oil, shredded red pepper (silgochu). Cut radish into thin strips. Make about 5-6 cups. Heat up a pan and add the radish strips, 1tbs vegetable oil, 1 ts kosher salt, and 1 clove of minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes. Add […]
These oval, thinly sliced rice cake disks are sold in plastic bags in the refrigerated section or sometimes in vacuum-sealed packages in the frozen section of Korean markets, , or you can make your own at home. They are essential for making rice cake soup. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. I […]
Shilgochu literally means “thread” or “string hot pepper.” It’s very very thinly sliced dried chili peppers that are nice as a garnish for vegetable side dishes and pancakes. Look for them near the hot pepper flakes at Korean grocery stores.
Wood ear mushrooms are used for some Chinese dishes which are popular in Korea, so you can usually find them in Chinese as well as Korean markets. Soak them in warm water for an hour before using them. They have a chewy texture and savory flavor when rehydrated. Keep in a cool, dry place. Fresh […]
If you’re going to have a party or get-together with your friends, one dish you can serve that almost everyone loves is Chinese sweet and sour pork. Koreans have their own Chinese-Korean variation of it called tangsuyuk. It’s crunchy pieces of fried pork coated in a jelly-like sweet and sour sauce filled with colorful fruits and […]
Today I’m introducing you to jjamppong, a spicy noodle soup full of seafood, meat, and vegetables. As you see from the video, it’s made with a lot of different ingredients, which makes it a hearty, filling meal, served spicy steaming hot. This is a Korean Chinese dish, developed by Chinese immigrants living in Incheon, Korea […]
You can make all the delicious rice you need in a simple pot on a stovetop, or any source of heat, including a fire. I do it all the time. But an electric rice cooker useful to have and convenient and I use mine all the time. You can turn it on and do other […]
Korean eggplants are long, thin, and light to dark purple. Their skin is thin and their texture softer and less spongy than Western globeshaped eggplants. They also have a sweeter, milder flavor. You can find them at many Asian markets and also at some farmers’ markets and regular supermarkets. Ordinary eggplant can be substituted.
Today’s recipe is for hobakjuk, pumpkin porridge. Sweet, smooth, and comforting, with chewy rice cake balls. Hobakjuk is very popular in Korea in the late fall and winter, and my version is a bit of an upscale version because I stuff some of the rice cake balls with pine nuts and I make a pretty […]
