K Food Review

Korea’s Beloved Soup Dish, Seolleongtang! Koreans love Seolleongtang so much that you can find Seolleongtang restaurants in almost every city. One of the first things foreigners experience when visiting Korea is the variety of soup dishes . Among them, Seolleongtang is a favorite due to its rich yet mild flavor. At first glance, you might be surprised by its milky-white broth. "What does this taste like?" you may wonder. But as soon as you take a sip, the deep, savory umami flavor of the broth fills your mouth. Let’s dive into the charm of Seolleongtang! 😊 🥩 The Taste and Characteristics of Seolleongtang Seolleongtang is characterized by its clear, milky broth made by simmering beef bones and meat for hours . The long cooking process extracts a rich, nutty umami flavor that makes the broth incredibly satisfying. It usually comes unsalted, allowing diners to season it themselves with salt, pepper, and chopped green onions to suit their taste. Interestingly, it has simi...

A Must-Try Dish When Visiting Korea! When you think of Korean food, many delicious dishes come to mind. But if I had to pick one of the most iconic and flavorful ones, I’d confidently recommend Samgyeopsal Gui (Grilled Pork Belly) . Sure, people around the world eat pork in different ways, but grilling thick slices of pork belly on a sizzling hot plate and eating it with various side dishes? That’s uniquely Korean. Whenever my foreign friends try samgyeopsal for the first time, they’re fascinated by the DIY grilling experience. The sight and sound of the meat sizzling on the grill are exciting, and when they take their first bite, they’re blown away by the juicy and savory taste. Today, let me introduce you to the delicious world of Korean BBQ—Samgyeopsal Gui! What Does Samgyeopsal Taste Like?  Samgyeopsal literally means “three-layered meat” , referring to the layers of fat and lean meat in pork belly. When grilled, the outside becomes crispy while the inside stays juicy and...

A Must-Try Korean Dish for Foreign Friends! One of the questions my foreign friends often ask when visiting Korea is, “What Korean dish do I absolutely need to try?” Without any hesitation, I always recommend Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew). When you first try Doenjang Jjigae, you might be surprised by its strong aroma and slightly salty taste. But trust me, after a few spoonfuls, you'll find yourself hooked by its deep, savory flavor. For Koreans, this stew is a comfort food we can enjoy every single day without getting bored. In this post, I'll introduce you to Doenjang Jjigae—its unique taste, health benefits, and the best places in Korea to enjoy it! So, what does Doenjang Jjigae taste like?  Doenjang Jjigae has a savory, salty, and deeply flavorful taste. At first, you might feel like, “Hmm… isn’t it a bit salty or pungent?” But once you combine it with rice, you'll discover a perfect harmony of flavors, making you crave more with each bite. The secret...

What is Garaetteok? A Unique First Experience  What do foreigners say when they first encounter garaetteok ? Many ask, "Is this a type of bread made from rice?" or "Why is it so chewy?" Garaetteok is a traditional Korean rice cake , made by steaming finely ground rice flour and then shaping it into long cylinders. It is commonly grilled, eaten as a snack, or used in various dishes. In Korea, garaetteok is not only the main ingredient in tteokguk (rice cake soup) eaten on Lunar New Year's Day but also enjoyed as a grilled snack dipped in honey or rice syrup . Interestingly, November 11 is not just Pepero Day but also Garaetteok Day ! On this day, people eat garaetteok to promote rice consumption and celebrate Korea’s traditional rice cakes.  Personally, I  love grilling garaetteok slightly and dipping it in honey.  Since garaetteok is  a rice-based cake , it has a naturally nutty and mild flavor. The crispy exterior and chewy interior create a simple yet rich ta...

What is Tteokguk? A Unique First Experience  What do foreigners say when they try tteokguk for the first time? Many ask, "What kind of soup is this?" or "Why is it so chewy?" Tteokguk is a traditional dish that Koreans eat on New Year's Day , consisting of warm broth with chewy rice cakes. There is even a fun belief that eating tteokguk adds one more year to your age! 😆 Korea has two major holidays: Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) . Among them, Seollal marks the beginning of a new year, and families gather to celebrate by eating tteokguk together. This makes tteokguk more than just a dish— it symbolizes a fresh start and carries deep cultural significance. The broth is typically made from beef or ox bone stock, giving it a deep and rich flavor. It is topped with garnishes like beef, egg strips, dried seaweed, and green onions , which enhance its umami taste. The rice cakes, made from glutinous rice, soften slightly in the broth, pro...

What Does Sundaeguk Taste Like for Foreigners? If you're looking for a local favorite while traveling in Korea, Sundaeguk is a must-try! The first thing you’ll notice about this dish is the rich aroma of the broth and the soft, chewy sundae (Korean blood sausage) . Its appearance might seem unfamiliar at first, but once you take a bite, you’ll be captivated by the deep broth and the satisfying texture of the sundae. To enhance the flavor, many Koreans add savory perilla powder and salted shrimp , which elevate the umami taste.  Sundaeguk is beloved as a hearty, everyday comfort food in Korea. On a cold day, a steaming bowl of this soup will warm your body and soul. It is also widely known as a hangover cure , making it a popular choice after a night out. What Is Sundaeguk? 🥘 Sundaeguk is a rich, pork-bone broth soup that includes sundae (Korean blood sausage) and various pork cuts . Sundae itself is made by stuffing pig intestines with glass noodles, glutinous rice, pig’s blood...