15 Best Korean Recipes for Dinner

Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a classic Korean rice dish, beautifully adorned with assorted vegetables, marinated meat, and topped with a fried egg.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 large carrot, julienned
• 1 zucchini, julienned
• 4 oz beef, thinly sliced
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)

Cooking method:

1. Sauté the carrot, zucchini, spinach, and bean sprouts separately in sesame oil until tender.
2. Cook the beef with soy sauce until browned.
3. Fry the eggs sunny-side-up.
4. Assemble the rice in bowls and arrange the vegetables and beef on top.
5. Place the fried egg on top and drizzle with gochujang before serving.

Kimchi Jjigae

Kimchi Jjigae is a flavorful Korean stew featuring fermented kimchi and tender pork.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup kimchi, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 8 oz pork belly, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp gochujang
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cups water

Cooking method:

1. Heat sesame oil in a pot and sauté pork belly until browned.
2. Add kimchi and onion, and sauté for a few minutes.
3. Stir in gochujang and pour in water.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Japchae

Japchae is a savory and slightly sweet dish made with stir-fried glass noodles and colorful vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz sweet potato noodles
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 4 oz spinach
• 100g mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sugar

Cooking method:

1. Cook the noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
2. Sauté vegetables in sesame oil until tender.
3. Add noodles and mix in soy sauce and sugar.
4. Stir-fry everything together for a few minutes.
5. Serve warm.

Bulgogi

Bulgogi features thinly sliced marinated beef, grilled to perfection, and is one of Korea’s most beloved barbecue dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, sliced

Cooking method:

1. Combine soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic in a bowl.
2. Marinate beef and onions in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
3. Grill or sauté the beef until cooked through.
4. Serve hot with rice and a selection of side dishes.

Samgyeopsal

Samgyeopsal is a Korean BBQ favorite, featuring thick slices of pork belly grilled at the table.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork belly, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lettuce leaves
• Garlic cloves, sliced
• Gochujang for dipping

Cooking method:

1. Preheat a grill or frying pan to high heat.
2. Season pork belly slices with salt and pepper.
3. Grill until edges are crispy and golden brown.
4. Serve with lettuce leaves for wrapping, sliced garlic, and gochujang.

Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is a spicy, chewy, and sweet rice cake dish that’s a popular Korean street food.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Korean rice cakes
• 4 cups water
• 3 tbsp gochujang
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 boiled egg
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 green onion, chopped

Cooking method:

1. Boil water in a large pan and add rice cakes.
2. Stir in gochujang, sugar, and soy sauce.
3. Cook until the sauce thickens, and rice cakes are tender.
4. Garnish with chopped green onion and sliced boiled egg.

Sundubu Jjigae

Sundubu Jjigae is a warm and comforting stew made with silken tofu and seafood in a rich, spicy broth.

Ingredients:

• 1 pack silken tofu
• 1/2 cup seafood mix
• 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 egg
• 2 cups water
• 1 green onion, chopped

Cooking method:

1. Heat sesame oil in a pot and add gochugaru to create a spicy base.
2. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
3. Add seafood mix and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Gently add silken tofu and crack an egg into the stew.
5. Garnish with chopped green onion and serve.

Pajeon

Pajeon is a savory Korean pancake made with scallions and often assorted seafood or vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 bunch scallions, chopped
• 1/2 cup seafood mix
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. Mix flour, water, and egg in a bowl to create a batter.
2. Stir in scallions and seafood, and season with salt.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Pour in the batter and spread evenly.
5. Cook until golden brown on both sides and serve with dipping sauce.

Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi Fried Rice is a quick and delicious way to use up leftover rice and features the tangy flavor of kimchi.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup kimchi, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 green onion, chopped

Cooking method:

1. Heat sesame oil in a frying pan and stir-fry kimchi until fragrant.
2. Add rice and soy sauce, and mix well.
3. Push rice to the side of the pan and scramble eggs in the space.
4. Mix eggs with rice and kimchi.
5. Garnish with chopped green onion before serving.

Galbi

Galbi is a marinated beef short rib dish, frequently served in Korean BBQ style, known for its rich and savory flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef short ribs
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 green onions, chopped

Cooking method:

1. Mix soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic in a large bowl.
2. Add beef ribs and marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
3. Grill the ribs over medium heat until caramelized and cooked to desired doneness.
4. Garnish with chopped green onion and serve.