100 Food Challenge In series
100 foods to try: Are you up to the challenge?

100 Food Challenge In series
100 foods to try: Are you up to the challenge?
Series preview
100 Food Challenge: A guide to conquering Korean cuisine
Korean food is taking the world by storm, but where do you begin? This guide will help you explore the delicious depths of Korean cuisine, one dish at a time, from beginner-friendly staples to dishes
46. Gamjajeon (Potato pancake)
Gamjajeon, or Korean potato pancake, is a savory treat that puts a delightful spin on the classic potato dish. This savory pancake is made by finely grating fresh potatoes and then pan-frying them until golden, resulting in a crispy outside and a tender, fluffy interior. A sprinkle of salt or a garnish of sliced green onions adds the perfect finishing touch. This cooking method beautifully highlights the natural flavor and subtle sweetness of the potato, making each bite a comforting experience.
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:40:1947. Sujaebi (hand-pulled dough soup)
Sujebi is a comforting Korean soup made with hand-torn wheat dough flakes simmered in a flavorful broth. The base is typically prepared with dried anchovies and kelp, sometimes enriched with shellfish. What makes sujebi unique is its rustic charm, highlighted by the irregularly shaped dough flakes that set it apart from other dishes like kalguksu, which features uniform noodles. The dough flakes provide a satisfying, substantial texture that feels heartier than traditional noodles. The soup is f
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:38:2448. Hobakjuk (sweet pumpkin porridge)
Hobakjuk is a cozy, sweet pumpkin porridge that brings the warm Korean spirit to every spoonful. Made by mashing and boiling steamed pumpkins before adding red bean and rice powder, this dish offers a perfect balance of sweetness and savoriness. In Korea, juk, or porridge, is enjoyed not only as a gentle food for recovery but also as a hearty meal, with diverse ingredients that elevate it beyond simple comfort food. Hobakjuk, however, stays true to the unadorned pumpkin flavor, offering a more a
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:37:4549. Tteokgalbi (short rib patties)
Tteokgalbi are Korean beef patties that offer a delightful twist on traditional barbecue. Despite the name, which translates to “rice cake ribs,” tteokgalbi doesn’t actually contain rice cakes. The name is believed to come from the shape or texture of the patties that resemble Korean rice cakes. The beef is finely minced and pounded, much like the preparation of sticky rice cakes such as injeolmi, giving it a distinctive soft yet chewy texture. Some believe this unique preparation method is the
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:36:0450. Jeonbokjuk (abalone porridge)
Jeonbokjuk is a cherished dish from the beautiful Jeju Island, south of the Korean Peninsula. Traditional Jeju-style jeonbokjuk is all about simplicity, using just rice and abalone to highlight the rich, oceanic flavors of the abalone. A unique feature of this porridge is the inclusion of abalone‘s internal organs, including its intestines, which adds a distinctive aroma and depth to the dish. While dark green abalone intestines may be off-putting to some, they play a crucial role in enhancing t
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:35:1051. Sogogi mutguk (Beef and daikon radish soup)
If you’re craving a classic Korean comfort dish, sogogimutguk is just the thing. Made with beef and daikon radish simmered in water, this simple recipe creates a richly flavorful soup. The clear broth takes on the natural sweetness of the radish and the hearty depth of the beef. Top it off with green onions and season with salt or soy sauce to your liking. The key? Let it simmer long enough to bring out all the flavors. A staple in Korean households especially during chilly winters, sogogimutguk
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:32:0552. Galbitang (short rib soup)
Galbitang is a traditional Korean soup made with beef short ribs, simmered for hours to create a clear, rich broth that’s deeply flavorful. The combination of Korean radish, onion, garlic, and ginger infuses the beef with layers of savory taste, making this dish both comforting and restorative. What makes galbitang especially beloved is that it pairs perfectly with just a good serving of kimchi. This is why galbitang restaurants often serve some of the best kimchi -- they can focus solely on ser
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:30:5753. Gulgukbap (Oyster and rice soup)
Fresh oysters are a prized dish enjoyed raw by food aficionados worldwide. But in Korea, oysters take many delicious forms, offering a range of savory dishes that highlight their versatility. When boiled with rice and Korean radish, they transform into a nutritious hangover cure called “gulgukbap,” a piping hot soup that helps restore strength. The broth, made by simmering oysters and radish with various toppings like bean curd, onions, and mushrooms, is rich and flavorful. Seaweed and garlic ch
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:29:2254. Andong Jjimdak (Braised chicken)
Andong jjimdak, a Korean-style braised chicken known for its tender, juicy meat and the rich flavor of soy sauce and assorted seasonings, is one of the most popular chicken dishes in Korea, alongside deep-fried chicken. Cooked with a mix of vegetables and glass noodles, and served in a large bowl, it’s the perfect dish for casual get-togethers or special occasions, sure to satisfy your appetite. Some restaurants make Andong jjimdak spicy, but the level of heat is adjustable to diners‘ preference
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:28:0655. Songpyeon (Half-moon rice cake)
Songpyeon are crescent-shaped rice cakes filled with sweet ingredients like ground sesame seeds, red bean paste, or chestnut, and steamed over a fragrant layer of pine needles. During Chuseok, one of the biggest Korean traditional holidays in autumn, it‘s common for families and relatives to gather and make songpyeon together. While songpyeon can vary by region, in Seoul, you’ll often find small, bite-sized versions stuffed with a blend of sesame seeds and sugar. Even outside the holiday season,
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:27:1156. Yakgwa (Honey cookie)
Before Western desserts and sweet treats became all the rage in Korea, yakgwa was the dessert of dreams. This traditional Korean honey cookie is deep-fried, soaked in a honey syrup, and flavored with ginger juice, sesame oil and a splash of soju. The result? A chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s somewhere between a croissant and baklava. Once a treat reserved for special occasions like ancestral rituals, feasts and holidays, yakgwa has made a big comeback. These days, you’ll find it in bake
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:26:4257. Dakgangjeong (Deep-fried and braised chicken)
Dakgangjeong is a dish of boneless chicken pieces deep-fried and drenched in a sweet sauce. If you’re familiar with yangnyeom chicken — Korea’s popular fried chicken coated in a sweet and spicy chili sauce — you’ll find dakgangjeong to be a deliciously similar treat. While both dishes involve crispy fried chicken with a flavorful sauce, dakgangjeong offers a twist with its sweeter, syrup-like coating, often made with a sticky glaze and served in smaller, bite-sized pieces. The name dakgangjeong
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:25:5258. Bungeoppang (Fish-shaped bread)
On cold winter streets filled with bundled-up passersby, the irresistible aroma of Bungeoppang — golden, fish-shaped pastries — beckons from bustling street stalls. Derived from the words “bungeo” (carp) and “ppang” (bread), this beloved Korean winter snack is traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste. But don’t let tradition fool you into thinking it’s predictable. Modern vendors have taken this classic to new heights, offering fillings like silky custard cream, mashed sweet potato, and ev
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:25:1259. Gyeranppang (Egg bread)
When winter arrives and the chill sets in, few things are as comforting as a warm snack to lift your spirits. Enter Gyeranppang, or “egg bread,” a beloved Korean street food that feels like a cozy hug in every bite. This oval-shaped delight features a soft, sweet, cake-like base with a whole egg nestled right in the center. It’s a familiar combination — fluffy bread paired with a baked egg — but somehow, gyeranppang transforms the ordinary into something deeply satisfying. Lightly salted with a
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:24:2560. Nokdujeon (mung bean pancake)
Even if you‘re not familiar with mung beans, don’t let that stop you from trying this delicious Korean “jeon,” or fritter. With a crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior, this warm pancake is made from ground mung beans and topped with chopped vegetables. Some vendors add extra ingredients like pork or kimchi to boost the flavor. It’s often served with a soy-based dipping sauce, blended with vinegar, sesame oil and scallions, which enhances the savory taste of the pancake. Nokdujeon was
Dec. 20, 2024 - 18:23:40