
Korea gave the culinary world the gift of kimchi – that alone is enough to ensure the country's cuisine is forever held in high regard. But when it comes to food and drink, the fermented cabbage condiment only scratches the surface. Dig a little deeper and you'll discover one of the most fascinating cuisines and food scenes, filled with in-your-face flavours, unbeatable street food, time-honoured cooking techniques and a whole culture that's practically centred around eating and drinking.
From the bustling metropolis of Seoul which sees ancient temples sit next to neon-lit skyscrapers, to the majestic mountain ranges against a backdrop of coastline in Busan, Korea is a country of contrasting landscapes and ways of living. What brings everything together however is the Korean people's love of good food. Traditional products such as gochujang, doenjang and of course kimchi are now used by chefs and home cooks the world over, while more modern obsessions such as fried chicken and street food bites oozing with cheese prove that Korean chefs welcome influences and innovation wherever they can. Whether you're looking to delve into the flavours of Korea in your own kitchen or fancy learning more about the country for a potential trip, read on for a taste of what the country has to offer.
Want to get straight into recreating the flavours of Korea at home? Take a look at our full collection of Korean recipes, take a look at some of our recommended dishes for those new to Korean cooking or discover what you'll need in your pantry to get to grips with the cuisine.
Watch chef Joo Won take you through his essential Korean ingredients for anyone looking to cook Korean at home, before browsing his delicious recipes and learning about the importance of the 'jangs' in the country's cuisine.
It's served with every meal in Korea and is currently taking the world by storm, with chefs and home cooks alike using this incredible invention of fermented fiery cabbage to add a powerful punch of depth and flavour to all manner of dishes. Learn how to make your own, take a look at how western chefs put their own spin on the dish and discover how it can become an integral part of your cooking.
Korean cooking is exciting because there's always something new to discover – but it's the classic dishes that make us fall in love with the cuisine at first. These recipes are a mix of both traditional and modern, but they all offer a fantastic example of the flavours Korean food has to offer.
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