The Ultimate Guide to Korean Food: History, Culture, and Best Restaurants

Korean food is a unique culinary tradition that has been shaped by centuries of migration and foreign influence. Today, Korean cuisine is loved around the world for its bold flavors and unique ingredients. In this guide, we'll take an in-depth look at Korean food, from street snacks to traditional dishes served in restaurants around the world. We'll also explore the history of Korean cuisine and provide some tips on where to find the best restaurants serving authentic Korean food.

What is Korean Food?

Korean cuisine is based on traditional cooking methods like boiling, steaming, grilling, stir-frying and pickling. Some of the most common ingredients used in Korean cooking are rice, vegetables, seafood and beef. Popular side dishes include kimchi (fermented cabbage), bean sprouts and ssamjang (a type of spicy sauce). Soy sauce is often used as a seasoning or condiment as well.

History of Korean Cuisine

Korean cuisine has its roots in ancient farming culture and shamanistic beliefs. Throughout its history, Korea has been influenced by a variety of cultures including Chinese, Japanese and Mongolian. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), royal court cuisine was heavily influenced by Confucianism which emphasized moderation and balance in meals. Over time regional specialties have developed throughout Korea and each region has its own distinct style of cooking.

Types of Korean Dishes

Korean dishes can be divided into two main categories: guk (soups) and jjigae (stews). Guks are clear soups which usually contain seafood or meat while jjigae are thicker stews made with various kinds of meat or tofu cooked in a flavorful broth with vegetables like mushrooms or onions. Common dishes include bulgogi (marinated beef), bibimbap (mixed rice bowl) and kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew).

Common Ingredients in Traditional Korean Dishes

Traditional Korean dishes often use glutinous rice, tofu, seaweed, soybean paste or powder, sesame oil, garlic chili pepper paste called gochujang as well as fermented vegetables like kimchi which are essential ingredients for many recipes. Meals typically consist of a main dish accompanied by several side dishes such as namul (sautéed vegetables), jeon (savory pancakes) or gyeran mari (rolled omelet).

Korean Street Food

Street food is hugely popular throughout South Korea where you can find everything from hotteok (sweet pancakes filled with nuts) to tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes). One particularly popular street snack is odeng – fish cakes served on skewers with broth made from anchovy stock or kelp extract. These snacks tend to be cheap but they're also surprisingly tasty!

Popular Street Foods in South Korea

Some other popular street foods include mandu dumplings filled with pork or vegetables; bindaetteok – mung bean pancakes; gimbap – seaweed rolls filled with pickles; twigim – deep fried battered vegetables; hotbar – deep fried battered fish; hoppang – steamed buns filled with sweet red beans; soondae - blood sausage stuffed with noodles; eomuk - fish cake soup; sundae bokkeum – stir-fried blood sausage; tteobokki - spicy rice cake stew...the list goes on! 

Where to Find the Best Street Foods in Seoul? 

Seoul boasts some amazing street food stalls located all over the city so you won't have any trouble finding something delicious to eat no matter where you go! The bustling markets of Gwangjang Market and Jongno 5-ga Station offer hundreds of options while Insadong Shopping District offers more upscale fare such as ddukbokki wrapped in egg crepes called ramyeon egg bokkeum. For some late night snacks head over to Hongdae Pub Street where you'll find all sorts of tasty treats like odeng skewers smothered in cheese sauce!

Healthy Options for Street Food 

Lovers It's easy to indulge your cravings for street food without sacrificing your health if you know what to look out for. Choose grilled rather than fried items such as gyeran mari rolls instead of twigim tempura shrimp or opt for lighter options like spicy cold noodle salad instead of fried fish pancakes if you want something low calorie without compromising flavor! If you prefer something hot then why not try jeonbok juk – abalone porridge flavored with dried seaweed?

Best Korean Restaurants 

Around the World If you're looking for an authentic taste of Korea then why not visit one of these top rated restaurants serving up delicious traditional dishes? From Seoul's Gogung Restaurant which serves classic bibimbap bowls topped with succulent beef bulgogi to New York City's Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong offering classic barbecue feasts featuring juicy prime cuts cooked over charcoal grills...there's no shortage of great places to get your fill!

Traditional Korean Barbecue Restaurant Recommendations 

Head down to Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon Stream area near Jongno 5-ga Station where there's an abundance of traditional BBQ restaurants just waiting for hungry diners! Some popular spots include Arirang restaurant offering up marinated pork belly grilled over charcoal fires while Ohgane specializes in samgyeopsal - thick slices of pork belly barbecued until crispy on the outside yet tender inside...a must try! And don't forget about Myeongdong Kyoja serving up hearty portions of naengmyeon - buckwheat noodles served cold topped with sliced cucumber radish pickles boiled egg scallions chili pepper flakes sweet mustard vinegar sauce & slices beef brisket! Yum yum!! 

Modern Take on Classic Dishes at Fusion Restaurants 

If fusion dining is more your style then check out these modern takes on classic recipes at some trendy spots around town! At Sariwon restaurant chefs combine flavors from both North & South Koreans creating unique dishes like bulgogi tacos dressed up w/ sour cream & salsa verde while Chez Poulet serves up inventive sandwiches featuring galbi short ribs & house made kimchi mayonnaise! And don't miss out on Jung Sik Dang which takes traditional favorites like kimchi jjigae & dolsot bibimbap turning them into delectable creations that will tantalize your taste buds!! 

Popular Chain Restaurants Serving Authentic Korean Dishes 

While independent restaurants may offer up more exciting interpretations there’s nothing wrong w/ sticking w/ tried & true chains when it comes to getting your fill o’ comfort eats prepared just how grandma would make ‘em back home! Check out Kimbab Cheonguk serving up delicious freshly rolled kimbaps using only quality ingredients sourced from local farms & markets while CJ Foodville offers up savory bowls o' braised mackerel soondubu served piping hot alongside crunchy banchan sides!! And don’t forget about Budnamu Bunsik serving up familiar favorites like tteoboki stew & fried chicken coated w/ sticky honey garlic glaze!! 

Authentic Home-Cooked Recipes from Korea 

For those who prefer cooking their own meals there’s plenty o’ recipes available online that cover all types o’ cuisines from fiery stews & sautés to comforting soups noodles & grains!! Start off w/ essential kitchen equipment such as an earthenware pot called ddukgam which will come handy when making hearty soups like seolleongtang ox bone soup & chueo tang carp soup -- perfect winter warmers guaranteed ta fill yer bellies!!! Or learn how ta whip up a classic kimchi jiggae stew featuring fermented cabbage kimchi flavored w/ anchovy stock garlic ginger green onion mushrooms tofu & pork belly slices simmered together in a flavorful broth till bubbly hot n ready ta eat!!! Last but not least don't forget ta practice yer chopstick skills cuz ya never know when ya might need 'em ;)