And, like any true K-drama fan, I’ve been looking for ways to improve our home K-drama nights. So far, the best thing I’ve discovered? Learning simple Korean recipes to go with my favourite Korean movies or TV shows!
I went to the Korean grocery store to get all these meals’ ingredients. Korean grocery stores can be intimidating with all the foreign characters and unfamiliar items; however, I didn’t have to spend too much time at the grocery because I did my research beforehand.
I’d successfully prepared a seemingly authentic Korean meal by our next K-drama night! We’re still working through the many groceries I bought, but here are some simple Korean recipes I’ve been enjoying so far.
Easy Korean recipes for your next K-drama night
1. Ramyeon (Korean ramen)
I wasn’t kidding when I said this list would be a collection of simple Korean recipes. Everyone understands how to prepare instant noodles! The challenge is deciding which flavour to use. Try the kimchi-flavoured ramen if you want to feel more authentic.
Ingredients
- 1 pack of instant ramen
- 1 egg
- Water
- Optional: 1 pc carrot, chopped
- Optional: 1 cup of cabbage, chopped
How to cook
- Add noodles and soup powder to boiling water.
- Cover and boil for a minute.
- Optional: Add chopped carrots and cabbage.
- Optional: Add a tablespoon of gochujang.
- Crack an egg into the ramyeon.
- Serve.
2. Tteokbokki (Rice cakes)
Tteokbokki is my favorite! There are a variety of flavours to choose from, and it has a very homey flavour.
Ingredients
- 1 pack of instant tteokbokki
- ¼ cup of water
How to cook
- In a heated pan, add the rice cakes and sauce.
- Pour ¼ cup of water.
- Keep mixing the ingredients together until the mixture thickens.
- Serve.
3. Kimchi-buchimgae (Korean pancake)
Kimchi-buchimgae preparation is similar to pancake preparation. Only instead of milk, you use kimchi liquid, hence the name. Unlike regular pancakes, this savoury dish is also suitable for lunch or dinner! While you can buy Korean pancake mix at the store, you can also make this from scratch using the recipe below.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ¼ cup of water
- ¾ cup and 1 tbsp flour
- ½ cup of kimchi, sliced
- 1 stalk of scallion, sliced
- Oil
- Vinegar
- Soy sauce
How to cook
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg, 1 tablespoon of kimchi liquid, soy sauce, and water.
- Add flour.
- Add kimchi and scallions.
- In a lightly greased pan, spoon the batter.
- Flip to cook both sides.
- For the dipping sauce, combine vinegar and soy sauce with a 1:1 ratio.
- Serve.
4. Yubuchobap (Soybean curd)
While it isn’t as popular as the other easy Korean recipes on this list, yubuchobap is still one of my favourites! Yubuchobap is essentially fried tofu stuffed with seasoned rice.
Yubuchobap has a sour, sweet, and salty flavour profile! The rice has been vinegared, and the tofu has been marinated. It’s a one-of-a-kind meal that’s also very simple to prepare. Yubuchobap kits are available at most Korean grocery stores.
Ingredients
- Yubuchobap kit
- Warm rice
How to cook
- Press the tofu skin to drain its water.
- Combine warm rice and seasoning.
- Add the vinegared sauce into the rice mix. (I only add ¾ of the packet, as the taste can be too strong.)
- Fill the tofu skin with the rice mix.
- Serve.
5. Korean curry
Koreans approach curry in a unique way. Theirs are more watery and soft, with a spicy kick. Because you can get instant Korean curry mixes at the grocery store, this is one of the simple Korean recipes.
Ingredients
- Vegetables of choice, chopped
- 4 cups of water
- Instant curry mix
How to cook
- Stir fry vegetables (and/or meat) in a greased pot.
- After a few minutes, pour water into the pot.
- Bring to a boil until everything is tender.
- Add the instant curry mix.
- Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Stir until mixture thickens.
- Serve.
6. Odeng (Fish cake)
Odeng, a popular banchan, makes an excellent side dish for your next K-drama marathon. It’s cheap and simple to make, and it keeps in the fridge for up to a week. Raw fish cakes are available in Korean supermarkets.
Ingredients
- Green bell pepper, sliced
- Red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- Fish cakes
- ½ tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsps honey
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
How to cook
- In a wok, stir fry sliced bell peppers, carrots and onions.
- Add the fish cake and stir for about two minutes.
- Fry garlic until brown.
- Season with soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Serve.
7. Kimchi fried rice
Is it even an Asian meal if there is no rice? Cook kimchi fried rice to upgrade your rice! You probably already know how to make fried rice, but here’s a simple Korean recipe you can try.
Ingredients
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- Meat of choice, chopped
- ½ cup kimchi, chopped
- 3 cups day-old rice
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 sheet of seaweed, stripped
- 1 stalk of scallion, sliced
- Sesame seeds
- 1 egg
How to cook
- Fry garlic until brown.
- Optional: Add meat of choice. Stir until cooked.
- Add kimchi and fry for a few minutes.
- Add day-old rice and kimchi juice. Mix well.
- Add sesame oil and soy sauce.
- Garnish with seaweed strips, scallions, and sesame seeds.
- Optional: Top with a fried egg.
- Serve.
8. Yakult soju
Isn’t a Korean meal incomplete without soju? Filipinos appear to enjoy Yakult soju. Of course, the ratio of soju to Yakult is entirely up to you.
Ingredients
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- Meat of choice, chopped
- ½ cup kimchi, chopped
- 3 cups day-old rice
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 sheet of seaweed, stripped
- 1 stalk of scallion, sliced
- Sesame seeds
- 1 egg
How to cook
- Fry garlic until brown.
- Optional: Add meat of choice. Stir until cooked.
- Add kimchi and fry for a few minutes.
- Add day-old rice and kimchi juice. Mix well.
- Add sesame oil and soy sauce.
- Garnish with seaweed strips, scallions, and sesame seeds.
- Optional: Top with a fried egg.
- Serve.
These simple Korean recipes will undoubtedly improve your next K-drama night! Which one are you going to make first?
