10+ Korean Food Easy Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Korean food has bold flavors and comforting dishes. If you want to make delicious meals at home, there are plenty of easy recipes to try. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy authentic Korean cuisine without spending hours in the kitchen.

Exploring Korean recipes can be a fun way to expand your cooking skills. You don’t need to be an expert chef to whip up tasty dishes that impress your family and friends. Whether you’re craving a savory pancake or a hearty stew, you’ll discover that preparing Korean meals can be both enjoyable and rewarding.

1) Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a colorful and delicious Korean dish that combines rice with meat and various vegetables. It’s easy to make and can be customized to your taste. You can use any vegetables you like, making it a great dish for using up leftovers.

The base is usually short-grain rice, which you can cook ahead of time. Toppings like sautéed spinach, carrots, and mushrooms add flavor and nutrition. A fried egg on top makes it even better.

Don’t forget the gochujang sauce for a spicy kick! You can mix it to your liking with sesame oil and a bit of sugar.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked short-grain rice
• 1 cup assorted vegetables (spinach, carrots, mushrooms)
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook short-grain rice according to package instructions.
2. Sauté the vegetables in a pan until tender.
3. Fry the egg sunny-side up.
4. Mix gochujang, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl.
5. Serve rice topped with vegetables and the fried egg.
6. Drizzle with sauce and sprinkle sesame seeds.

2) Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi fried rice, or kimchi-bokkeumbap, is a simple and tasty Korean dish. It’s perfect for using leftover rice and adds a spicy kick with kimchi. You can also customize it with your favorite proteins like eggs, bacon, or tofu.

This dish usually takes less than 20 minutes to prepare. The key is to use well-fermented kimchi for the best flavor. You can serve it as a side dish or a main meal.

Ingredients

• 3 cups steamed rice
• 1 cup chopped kimchi
• ¼ cup kimchi juice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Optional: protein of your choice (e.g., eggs, bacon)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
2. Add kimchi and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add rice and kimchi juice. Mix well.
4. Stir in green onions and any optional protein.
5. Cook for another 2-3 minutes and serve warm.

3) Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food you can easily make at home. These spicy rice cakes are chewy and are usually cooked in a flavorful sauce.

To start, you need cylinder-shaped rice cakes, which can be fresh or frozen. The dish is famous for its sweet and spicy tastes, thanks to gochujang, a Korean chili paste.

You can customize your tteokbokki by adding ingredients like fish cakes, eggs, or ramen noodles. Each bite is delicious and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 pound cylinder-shaped rice cakes (tteok)
• 4 cups water
• 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Optional: fish cakes, boiled eggs, or ramen noodles

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak rice cakes in warm water for 10-20 minutes if they are hard.
2. Boil water in a pot over medium heat.
3. Add the soaked rice cakes and simmer for about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in gochujang and sugar, mixing well.
5. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Add any optional ingredients and cook for a few more minutes. Enjoy!

4) Korean Fried Chicken

Korean Fried Chicken is known for its crispy texture and delicious flavor. It’s a perfect dish for any occasion. You will love how easy it is to make at home.

To start, prepare your chicken by cutting it into pieces. The key to the crunch is using a mix of cornstarch and flour for the coating. This gives a light, crispy texture.

Next, fry the chicken in hot oil at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown. Make sure to keep the oil hot for the best results. Then, toss the cooked chicken in a spicy sauce made with gochujang.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of chicken pieces
• 1 cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Peanut oil for frying
• Gochujang sauce (for tossing)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut chicken into pieces.
2. In a bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, and baking powder.
3. Coat chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture.
4. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
5. Fry chicken until golden brown.
6. Toss fried chicken in gochujang sauce. Enjoy!

5) Japchae

Japchae is a popular Korean dish made with sweet potato noodles. It’s colorful and packed with vegetables, making it both tasty and healthy. This dish is perfect for gatherings or a cozy dinner at home.

You can easily customize japchae with your favorite meats and veggies. Common ingredients include carrots, spinach, and beef. The noodles are often stir-fried in a savory sesame sauce, giving them a wonderful flavor.

To make this dish, you’ll need some basic ingredients. Here’s a simple list:

Ingredients

• Sweet potato starch noodles
• Carrots
• Spinach
• Bell peppers
• Beef (or tofu)
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the sweet potato noodles according to the package instructions.
2. Stir-fry garlic and meat in sesame oil until cooked.
3. Add vegetables and stir-fry until tender.
4. Mix in the noodles and soy sauce, cooking for a few minutes.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

6) Pajeon (Korean Pancake)

Pajeon is a tasty Korean pancake made with green onions. It’s simple to make and perfect for a snack or light meal. You can enjoy it any time!

The main ingredients include flour, water, and green onions. You might also add some seafood for extra flavor. Cooking it is easy, and you’ll love the crispy edges.

To make pajeon, heat a pan and add some oil. Pour in the batter and cook it until golden brown on both sides. Serve it hot alongside a tasty dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Optional: seafood (like shrimp or squid)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and water until smooth.
2. Stir in green onions (and seafood if using).
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
4. Pour the batter into the pan.
5. Cook until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side.
6. Serve hot with soy sauce for dipping.

7) Sundubu-jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

Sundubu-jjigae is a comforting Korean dish that features soft tofu in a spicy broth. This stew is warm, filling, and perfect for chilly days. You can easily customize it with your favorite ingredients.

You will find soft tofu as the star ingredient. It’s silky and absorbs flavors well. Adding vegetables and proteins like seafood or meat enhances the meal.

This stew is quick to prepare and can be made in under 30 minutes. It’s enjoyed with rice on the side. Sundubu-jjigae is a go-to for many Korean households.

Ingredients

• 1/2 carton extra-silken tofu (about 5 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 ounce ribeye steak, thinly sliced
• 1 cup kimchi
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
• 1 egg
• Green onions for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat (around 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add ribeye and cook until browned.
3. Stir in kimchi and cook for a few minutes.
4. Pour in broth and bring to a boil.
5. Add gochugaru and gently mix in the tofu.
6. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Crack an egg into the stew just before serving.
8. Garnish with green onions. Enjoy!

8) Yachaejeon (Vegetable Pancake)

Yachaejeon is a tasty Korean vegetable pancake that you can easily make at home. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. This dish is perfect as a snack or a side dish.

You can use a variety of vegetables like zucchini, carrots, and onions. It’s also flexible, so feel free to mix in your favorites. Serve it with a simple dipping sauce for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1/2 zucchini
• 1/2 carrot
• 1/2 potato
• 1/2 onion
• 1 green chili
• 1 mushroom
• 5 spring onions
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Grate all the vegetables.
2. In a bowl, mix the grated vegetables with flour, water, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
4. Pour a scoop of the batter into the pan.
5. Cook until golden brown, then flip to cook the other side.
6. Repeat until all the batter is used. Enjoy!

9) Bulgogi (Marinated Beef)

Bulgogi is a popular Korean dish made with marinated beef. You can use sirloin or ribeye for the best results. The meat is sliced thin, making it tender and flavorful when cooked.

To make bulgogi, you will need a strong marinade. This usually includes soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. Marinating the meat for at least 30 minutes boosts its taste.

Cook the marinated beef in a hot pan or on a grill until it’s browned. Serve it with rice, lettuce leaves, and kimchi for an authentic experience.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) sirloin or ribeye beef
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Optional: grated pear, green onions, and sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the beef thinly against the grain.
2. Mix soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic in a bowl.
3. Add the beef to the marinade and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Heat a pan or grill on medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
5. Cook the beef for 3-5 minutes until browned.
6. Serve with rice and lettuce leaves.

10) Kalbi (Korean Short Ribs)

Kalbi is a popular Korean dish made with short ribs. The meat is tender and flavorful, often marinated to enhance its taste. You can easily prepare it at home and enjoy a bit of Korean cuisine.

For this recipe, you will need Korean-style beef short ribs. They are usually cut in thin strips, which helps them cook quickly. Marinating them overnight brings out the best flavors.

Ingredients

• 5 pounds Korean-style beef short ribs
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup mirin (rice wine)
• 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, mirin, onion, green onions, and garlic in a large bowl.
2. Add the short ribs to the marinade. Make sure they are well coated.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Preferably overnight.
4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. This is about 375°F or 190°C.
5. Grill the short ribs for about 5-7 minutes on each side. Grill them until they are nicely browned and cooked through.