I first heard about gungjung tteokbokki at The Kunjip restaurant in New York’s Koreatown many years ago when I was in the mood for some delicious stick to the ribs comfort food. While most of my family love the more popular red hot tteokbokki, my tolerance for spice is waning as I get older and…
What is Budae jjigae? It’s a one pot Korean stew that was created during the Korean War using ingredients found at the US Army Base. Budae means army base and jjigae is Korean stew, and the dish was invented by restaurants that had access to remnants from army rations. An intriguing novelty at the time,…
All Koreans love their moms’ kimbap recipe, but what if you have to make it on your own? This was my husband’s dilemma as he weighed his love of kimbap with his aversion to cooking. Contrary to what Korean ajummas will tell you, kimbap takes a ton of work. I prefer to leave kimbap making…
Many Korean Americans have fond memories of church picnics where the foil is rolled out long and poked with holes to cook bulgogi on the charcoal grills of a public park. Mmmm. I can just smell the smoky goodness now. Everyone and their mother has her own bulgogi recipe and most of them are delicious.…
As surely as February 14th is Valentine’s Day, April 14th is Black Day in Korea, a day where singles wear black and gather to eat black food. Many people eat jjajangmyun on Black Day to soothe their lonely hearts and although I’m not sure how this tradition got started, I’m quite sure it’s a balm…
Galbi is actually not a single food, but rather a cut of meat that is tender and flavorful. Known as short rib in the states, galbi literally means ‘ribs’, and can be boiled in a soup, braised into jjim, or most famously grilled over charcoal. Most people think of beef when it comes to galbi…
Every time we make a big batch of homemade mandu and then neatly stack the full bags of dumplings into the freezer, I feel rich. It’s the kind of feeling that assures me that we will eat well even in the face of an apocalypse, never mind a pandemic. Mandu is the beloved Korean dumpling…
What is janchi guksu? It’s a simple yet hearty noodle soup that is eaten so frequently in Korea that it’s often taken for granted. The word janchi means party or banquet, and at many Korean weddings or church events, janchi guksu is the go-to meal to serve a large crowd. Vats of soup along with…
When the weather cools down and especially after you’ve had a heavy western meal, Koreans crave a good old fashioned doenjang jjigae. We all have our special touches and secret ingredients, but sometimes it’s great to peel back the layers of improv and go back to basics. Here’s my classic version which includes potatoes, a…
What is japchae? No Korean feast is complete without this colorful glass noodle dish made up of a beautiful medley of vegetables and meat. Luckily, a delicious japchae recipe is easier to make than people might think. This festive dish might seem intimidating to make at home but it’s important to remember that it’s basically…