The Korean dish encyclopedia

Rice & porridge

비빔밥Bibimbap

Rice under seasoned vegetables, a fried egg and gochujang. You mix it all yourself.

BeefEgg

Rice & porridge

돌솥비빔밥Dolsot-bibimbap

Bibimbap served in a scorching stone pot, so the rice turns golden and crisp at the bottom.

BeefEgg

Rice & porridge

전주비빔밥Jeonju bibimbap

The city of Jeonju's famous bibimbap: rice cooked in beef stock, topped with up to thirty ingredients.

BeefEgg

Rice & porridge

김밥Gimbap

Rice and fillings rolled in seaweed and sliced. Korea's grab-and-go lunch.

PorkSeafoodEgg

Rice & porridge

충무김밥Chungmu gimbap

Finger-sized plain rice rolls from Tongyeong, eaten with spicy squid and radish kimchi on the side.

Seafood

Rice & porridge

김치볶음밥Kimchi-bokkeumbap

Rice fried with aged kimchi, finished with a fried egg on top.

PorkSeafoodEgg

Rice & porridge

오징어덮밥Ojingeo-deopbap

Squid stir-fried in red chilli sauce, poured over rice.

Seafood

Rice & porridge

쌈밥Ssambap

A spread of fresh leaves for wrapping rice, meat and ssamjang into one perfect bite.

Pork

Rice & porridge

호박죽Hobak-juk

Silky, sweet pumpkin porridge thickened with glutinous rice.

Rice & porridge

전복죽Jeonbok-juk

Rice porridge cooked with abalone and its green innards, a Jeju speciality.

Seafood

Soups & stews

김치찌개Kimchi-jjigae

Bubbling stew of sour aged kimchi, pork and tofu. The taste of a Korean home.

PorkSeafood

Soups & stews

된장찌개Doenjang-jjigae

Fermented soybean paste stew with tofu and zucchini, usually built on anchovy broth.

Seafood

Soups & stews

순두부찌개Sundubu-jjigae

Silky soft tofu in a fiery red broth, with a raw egg cracked in at the table.

SeafoodEgg

Soups & stews

부대찌개Budae-jjigae

Army-base stew of ham, sausage, Spam, kimchi, ramyeon noodles and a slice of cheese.

PorkDairy

Soups & stews

청국장찌개Cheonggukjang-jjigae

Stew of quick-fermented whole soybeans, pungent and deeply savoury.

Soups & stews

삼계탕Samgyetang

A whole young chicken stuffed with rice, ginseng and jujube. Koreans eat it on the hottest days.

Chicken

Soups & stews

설렁탕Seolleongtang

Milky ox-bone broth simmered for hours. You salt it yourself at the table.

Beef

Soups & stews

곰탕Gomtang

Clear, deep beef soup made from meat and bones, Naju's pride.

Beef

Soups & stews

갈비탕Galbitang

Beef short ribs simmered in a clear, gently sweet broth with glass noodles.

Beef

Soups & stews

육개장Yukgaejang

Spicy shredded beef soup with fernbrake, bean sprouts and scallion.

BeefEgg

Soups & stews

감자탕Gamjatang

Pork spine stew with potatoes, perilla seeds and greens, best late at night.

Pork

Soups & stews

해장국Haejangguk

Hangover soup of beef broth, cabbage and blood curd, eaten in the early morning.

Beef

Soups & stews

미역국Miyeokguk

Seaweed soup eaten on every Korean birthday.

Beef

Soups & stews

콩나물국밥Kongnamul-gukbap

Jeonju's bean-sprout soup with rice, served boiling with a soft egg on the side.

SeafoodEgg

Soups & stews

돼지국밥Dwaeji-gukbap

Busan's pork-bone soup with rice, finished with chives and salted shrimp.

PorkSeafood

Soups & stews

순대국밥Sundae-gukbap

Pork broth packed with blood sausage and offal, served with rice.

Pork

Soups & stews

매운탕Maeuntang

Spicy fish stew, often made from the bones after a raw-fish meal.

Seafood

Soups & stews

추어탕Chueotang

Loach soup with ground fish, greens and perilla, a restorative autumn food.

Seafood

Soups & stews

닭한마리Dak-hanmari

A whole chicken boiled at your table, cut with scissors and dipped in a mustard-chilli sauce.

Chicken

Grill & fried

삼겹살Samgyeopsal

Thick pork belly grilled at your table, wrapped in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang.

Pork

Grill & fried

소갈비So-galbi

Marinated beef short ribs grilled over charcoal. The dish for a celebration.

Beef

Grill & fried

돼지갈비Dwaeji-galbi

Sweet soy-marinated pork ribs, the friendlier-priced cousin of beef galbi.

Pork

Grill & fried

수원왕갈비Suwon wang-galbi

Suwon's giant beef ribs, seasoned with salt rather than soy.

Beef

Grill & fried

불고기Bulgogi

Thin beef marinated in soy, pear and sesame. Sweet, savoury and loved by everyone.

Beef

Grill & fried

차돌박이Chadolbaegi

Paper-thin beef brisket that cooks in seconds on a hot grill.

Beef

Grill & fried

닭갈비Dakgalbi

Chuncheon's spicy chicken, stir-fried on a giant iron pan with cabbage and rice cakes.

Chicken

Grill & fried

곱창Gopchang

Grilled small intestines, crisp outside and rich inside. Korea's favourite drinking food.

BeefPork

Grill & fried

막창Makchang

Grilled pork or beef stomach, the pride of Daegu's night streets.

PorkBeef

Grill & fried

흑돼지Jeju heukdwaeji

Jeju's black pork, thick-cut and charcoal-grilled, dipped in anchovy sauce.

PorkSeafood

Grill & fried

떡갈비Tteokgalbi

Minced rib meat shaped into patties and grilled, a speciality of Damyang and Gwangju.

BeefPork

Grill & fried

양념치킨Yangnyeom chicken

Korean fried chicken, fried twice and glazed sweet and spicy. Order it with beer: that is chimaek.

Chicken

Grill & fried

닭강정Dakgangjeong

Bite-size fried chicken tossed in a sticky sweet glaze, sold by the cup in markets.

Chicken

Grill & fried

항아리삼겹살Hangari-samgyeopsal

Pork belly hung inside a clay onggi jar over charcoal and slow-roasted by the jar's heat.

Pork

Grill & fried

돌판삼겹살Dolpan-samgyeopsal

Pork belly grilled on a hot stone slab, with kimchi and bean sprouts cooking in the fat.

Pork

Grill & fried

솥뚜껑삼겹살Sotttukkeong-samgyeopsal

Pork belly grilled on an upturned cast-iron cauldron lid, a retro favourite.

Pork

Grill & fried

대패삼겹살Daepae-samgyeopsal

Pork belly shaved paper-thin like wood from a carpenter's plane; it cooks in seconds.

Pork

Grill & fried

꼼장어구이Kkomjangeo-gui

Hagfish grilled with spicy sauce or salt, a Busan late-night classic.

Seafood

Grilled fish & shellfish

장어구이Jangeo-gui

Freshwater eel grilled with salt or a sweet soy glaze, prized for stamina.

Seafood

Grilled fish & shellfish

고등어구이Godeungeo-gui

Salted mackerel grilled until the skin crackles, a home-style set meal.

Seafood

Grilled fish & shellfish

갈치구이Galchi-gui

Silver hairtail grilled until the skin crackles; Jeju's catch is the most prized.

Seafood

Grilled fish & shellfish

굴비구이Gulbi-gui

Salted, dried yellow croaker, grilled; Yeonggwang's gulbi was once a royal gift.

Seafood

Grilled fish & shellfish

삼치구이Samchi-gui

Thick Spanish mackerel fillets grilled crisp, the pub food of Incheon's samchi alley.

Seafood

Grilled fish & shellfish

전어구이Jeoneo-gui

Salt-grilled gizzard shad, the smell of Korean autumn.

Seafood

Grilled fish & shellfish

조개구이Jogae-gui

A seaside feast of clams, scallops and shellfish grilled on charcoal at the table.

SeafoodDairy

Grilled fish & shellfish

대하구이Daeha-gui

Large prawns roasted on a bed of hot salt, an autumn ritual on the west coast.

Seafood

Braises & stir-fries

갈비찜Galbi-jjim

Beef short ribs braised in sweet soy with chestnuts, jujubes and radish.

Beef

Braises & stir-fries

안동찜닭Andong-jjimdak

Soy-braised chicken with glass noodles, potatoes and dried chillies, born in Andong's old market.

Chicken

Braises & stir-fries

아구찜Agu-jjim

Monkfish braised with bean sprouts and fiery chilli, Masan's signature.

Seafood

Braises & stir-fries

제육볶음Jeyuk-bokkeum

Pork stir-fried in sweet chilli sauce, the king of Korean lunch sets.

Pork

Braises & stir-fries

낙지볶음Nakji-bokkeum

Small octopus stir-fried in a blazing chilli sauce. Not for the faint-hearted.

Seafood

Braises & stir-fries

쭈꾸미볶음Jjukkumi-bokkeum

Webfoot octopus stir-fried spicy at the table, best in spring.

Seafood

Braises & stir-fries

보쌈Bossam

Tender boiled pork belly served with fresh kimchi, wrapped in cabbage leaves.

PorkSeafood

Braises & stir-fries

족발Jokbal

Pig's trotters braised in soy and spices, sliced and eaten with lettuce wraps.

PorkSeafood

Braises & stir-fries

고등어조림Godeungeo-jorim

Mackerel braised with radish in a spicy soy sauce.

Seafood

Noodles & dumplings

물냉면Mul-naengmyeon

Chewy buckwheat noodles in icy beef broth. Cut them with the scissors on the table.

BeefEgg

Noodles & dumplings

비빔냉면Bibim-naengmyeon

Cold noodles tossed in sweet, spicy chilli sauce instead of broth.

Egg

Noodles & dumplings

잡채Japchae

Sweet-potato glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables, beef and sesame oil.

Beef

Noodles & dumplings

칼국수Kalguksu

Knife-cut wheat noodles in clam or anchovy broth.

Seafood

Noodles & dumplings

짜장면Jajangmyeon

Noodles under black bean sauce with pork and onion. Korean-Chinese comfort food.

Pork

Noodles & dumplings

짬뽕Jjamppong

Fiery red seafood noodle soup, the spicy partner of jajangmyeon.

SeafoodPork

Noodles & dumplings

콩국수Kongguksu

Wheat noodles in ice-cold, creamy soy-milk broth. Summer only.

Noodles & dumplings

막국수Makguksu

Rustic buckwheat noodles from Gangwon, served cold with a spicy sauce or broth.

Egg

Noodles & dumplings

밀면Milmyeon

Busan's wheat-flour cold noodles, created by war refugees.

BeefPorkEgg

Noodles & dumplings

잔치국수Janchi-guksu

Banquet noodles: thin wheat noodles in light anchovy broth, served at weddings.

SeafoodEgg

Noodles & dumplings

고기국수Gogi-guksu

Jeju noodles in rich pork-bone broth, topped with slices of boiled pork.

Pork

Noodles & dumplings

라면Ramyeon

Korea's instant noodles, cooked spicy with egg and scallion. A national habit.

Egg

Noodles & dumplings

만두Mandu

Korean dumplings, steamed, boiled or pan-fried, filled with pork, tofu and kimchi or vegetables.

Pork

Noodles & dumplings

쫄면Jjolmyeon

Extra-chewy wheat noodles tossed with vegetables in a sour-spicy sauce.

Egg

Seafood & raw

회Hoe

Thick slices of just-caught raw fish, wrapped in lettuce with garlic and chilli paste.

SeafoodRaw

Seafood & raw

물회Mulhoe

Raw fish in an icy, sweet-sour chilli broth, the east coast's summer bowl.

SeafoodRaw

Seafood & raw

간장게장Ganjang-gejang

Raw crab marinated in soy sauce, nicknamed the rice thief.

SeafoodRaw

Seafood & raw

양념게장Yangnyeom-gejang

Raw crab in a sweet, spicy chilli sauce, the fiery twin of ganjang-gejang.

SeafoodRaw

Seafood & raw

산낙지Sannakji

Live small octopus cut into pieces that keep moving, dipped in sesame oil and salt.

SeafoodRaw

Seafood & raw

육회Yukhoe

Raw beef seasoned with sesame oil and pear, topped with an egg yolk.

BeefRawEgg

Seafood & raw

홍어Hongeo

Fermented skate with a powerful ammonia smell, the ultimate test of Korean food.

Seafood

Seafood & raw

과메기Gwamegi

Herring or saury half-dried in the winter sea wind of Pohang, eaten with seaweed wraps.

Seafood

Pancakes & fritters

해물파전Haemul-pajeon

Crisp scallion pancake loaded with seafood. Rainy-day food, best with makgeolli.

SeafoodEgg

Pancakes & fritters

김치전Kimchi-jeon

Pancake of chopped kimchi, crispy and tangy.

Seafood

Pancakes & fritters

빈대떡Bindaetteok

Thick mung-bean pancake, fried crisp in plenty of oil at Gwangjang Market.

Pork

Pancakes & fritters

감자전Gamja-jeon

Grated potato pancake from Gangwon, chewy and crisp.

Pancakes & fritters

모듬전Modeum-jeon

An assortment of egg-dipped fritters: fish, zucchini, meat patties and more.

EggSeafoodBeef

Kimchi & sides

배추김치Baechu-kimchi

Fermented napa cabbage with chilli, garlic and salted seafood. Served with every meal, refills free.

Seafood

Kimchi & sides

깍두기Kkakdugi

Cubed radish kimchi, crunchy and juicy, the partner of every beef soup.

Seafood

Kimchi & sides

오이소박이Oi-sobagi

Cucumbers slit and stuffed with chives and chilli, a fresh summer kimchi.

Seafood

Kimchi & sides

동치미Dongchimi

Clear, chilled radish water kimchi with a gentle fizz.

Kimchi & sides

콩나물무침Kongnamul-muchim

Blanched soybean sprouts seasoned with sesame oil and garlic.

Kimchi & sides

시금치나물Sigeumchi-namul

Spinach blanched and dressed with sesame oil, soy and sesame seeds.

Kimchi & sides

계란찜Gyeran-jjim

Steamed egg that puffs up over the rim of its stone pot.

EggSeafood

Kimchi & sides

계란말이Gyeran-mari

Rolled omelette with chopped vegetables, sliced into thick rounds.

Egg

Kimchi & sides

멸치볶음Myeolchi-bokkeum

Tiny dried anchovies stir-fried crisp with soy, sugar and nuts.

Seafood

Kimchi & sides

두부조림Dubu-jorim

Pan-fried tofu simmered in soy-chilli sauce.

Street food

떡볶이Tteokbokki

Chewy rice cakes in sweet-hot gochujang sauce, sold from every street cart.

Seafood

Street food

순대Sundae

Korean blood sausage stuffed with glass noodles, steamed and sliced.

Pork

Street food

어묵Eomuk

Fish cake on skewers in hot broth. The broth is free: drink it from a paper cup.

Seafood

Street food

호떡Hotteok

Griddled pancake filled with molten brown sugar, cinnamon and seeds. Mind the first bite.

Street food

붕어빵Bungeoppang

Fish-shaped waffle filled with sweet red bean. The taste of a Korean winter.

Egg

Street food

계란빵Gyeran-ppang

Sweet, fluffy bread baked with a whole egg on top.

EggDairy

Street food

튀김Twigim

Korean tempura: squid, sweet potato, vegetables and seaweed rolls.

SeafoodEgg

Street food

핫도그Korean corn dog

Sausage or mozzarella on a stick in batter, rolled in sugar and squeezed with sauce.

PorkDairyEgg

Street food

닭꼬치Dakkochi

Grilled chicken skewers glazed with sweet soy or spicy sauce.

Chicken

Sweets, tea & drinks

팥빙수Patbingsu

Milk-snow shaved ice piled with sweet red beans and rice cakes.

Dairy

Sweets, tea & drinks

송편Songpyeon

Half-moon rice cakes steamed on pine needles for the Chuseok harvest festival.

Sweets, tea & drinks

인절미Injeolmi

Soft pounded rice cake rolled in roasted soybean powder.

Sweets, tea & drinks

약과Yakgwa

Honey-soaked fried cookies scented with ginger, a royal-court sweet back in fashion.

Sweets, tea & drinks

달고나Dalgona

Honeycomb toffee pressed with a shape you try to cut out without breaking.

Sweets, tea & drinks

호두과자Hodu-gwaja

Walnut-shaped cakes filled with red bean and walnut, Cheonan's travel snack.

EggDairy

Sweets, tea & drinks

식혜Sikhye

Sweet, cold rice drink with soft grains floating on top.

Sweets, tea & drinks

수정과Sujeonggwa

Chilled cinnamon and ginger punch with dried persimmon and pine nuts.

Sweets, tea & drinks

유자차Yuja-cha

Hot citron tea made from yuja marmalade, Korea's winter cold remedy.

Sweets, tea & drinks

막걸리Makgeolli

Milky, lightly sparkling rice wine, Korea's oldest alcoholic drink.

Alcohol

Sweets, tea & drinks

소주Soju

Korea's clear spirit, poured in small shots to share. Pour for others, never for yourself.

Alcohol

Royal & temple food

구절판Gujeolpan

Platter of nine sections: eight fillings to wrap in thin crepes from the centre.

BeefEggSeafood

Royal & temple food

신선로Sinseollo

Royal hot pot cooked in a brass vessel with a charcoal chimney in the middle.

BeefEggSeafood

Royal & temple food

탕평채Tangpyeongchae

Mung-bean jelly salad with beef and vegetables, named for a king's policy of harmony.

BeefEgg

Royal & temple food

사찰음식Temple food

Buddhist temple cooking: fully vegan, with no meat, fish, garlic or onion.

Royal & temple food

도토리묵Dotorimuk

Acorn jelly cut into cubes and dressed with soy, chilli and greens.

Royal & temple food

한정식Hanjeongsik

A full Korean table d'hôte: rice and soup surrounded by twenty or more dishes.

BeefPorkSeafoodEgg