Korean Food Recipe

Most commonly used korean sauces are soy sauce, sesame oil, bean paste and red pepper paste.
bean paste

Bean paste is a concentrated, savory paste made from soybeans–often mixed with a grain such as rice, barley, or wheat–that is fermented with a yeast mold and then combined with salt and water. The mixture is aged from one month to three years. While it is a good source of protein and carbohydrates, miso is, nonetheless, high in sodium and should be consumed sparingly if you are salt-sensitive.

red pepper paste

Red pepper paste “Kochujang” is a Korean traditional fermented soybean-rice-red pepper powder paste. It has been reported that capsaicin in red pepper shows antiobestic effect and thus Red pepper paste “Kochujang” may have antiobestic effect. Commercial Red pepper paste “Kochujang” has rather prepared mainly with fermented wheat flour and grains, and red pepper powder.
Pepper is low in Saturated Fat and Sodium, and very low in Cholesterol. Pepper paste is also a good source of Vitamin C, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Iron and Potassium, and a very good source of Vitamin A and Riboflavin.

soy sauce

Korean soy sauce, or Joseon ganjang is a byproduct of the production of doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste). Joseon ganjang, thin and dark brown in color, is made entirely of soy and brine, and has a saltiness that varies according to the producer. Wide scale use of Joseon ganjang has been somewhat superseded cheaper factory-made Japanese style soy sauce, called waeganjang. However, many Koreans continued to use the soy sauce native to their culture.

sesame oil

Sesame oil is an organic oil derived from sesames, noted to have the distinctive aroma and taste of its parent seed. It is often used in South Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine as a flavor enhancer, e.g. adding it to instant noodles.

Hyedupbap means rice covered with sashimi in Korean. Hyedumbap is one of my favorite Korean dishes. It has fresh vegetables, fresh sashimi, sweet and spicy sauce. It is very easy to make. All you need to do is thin-slicing all the ingredients.
Cooked rice 1 bowl
Diced Tuna or Salmon 1/3 Pound
Thin Sliced Lettuce 2 leaves
Thin Sliced Sesame Leave 5 Leaves
Green Pepper 1
Thin Sliced Cucumber 1/4
Thin Sliced Carrot 1/4
Sliced Garlic 1 clove
Red Pepper Paste 1T
Sesame Oil 1t
Sugar 1/2 T
Vinegar 1/2T
Fried Sesame Seeds 1T

1. On the top of rice, place thin sliced lettuce, sesame leaves, carrot, garlic and green pepper nicely.
2. Add diced tuna or salmon to 1.
3. Make the sauce by mixing red pepper paste, sesame oil, sugar, and vinegar.
4. Serve the sauce in a small sauce dish or put it on the top of fish.
5. Add sesame seeds on the very top.

sashimi race bowl

Koreans cook and eat many different kind of vegetables. Bibimbap means mixed rice in Korean. If you have any vegetables in the fridge, you can mix them up with rice and red pepper paste and make your own bibimbap!
Cooked Rice 1 bowl
Carrot 1/5
Cucumber 1/5
Bean Sprout little bit
Spinach 1/5 bunch
Lettuce 2 leaves
Egg 1
Ground Beef 0.1 L
Soy Sauce 1t
Sesame Oil 1T
Sugar 1/2t
Pepper 1/4t
Mashed Garlic 1/2t
Chopped Green Pepper 1/2t
Red Pepper Paste 2T

1. Thin slice carrot and add a little bit of oil to the pan and quickly cook sliced carrot
2. Thin slice cucumber and lettuce
3. Boil spinach and drain. Add a little bit of salt and sesame oil to spinach
4. Boil bean sprout and drain. Add a little bit of salt and sesame oil
5. Fry an egg
6. Add soy sauce 1t, sesame oil 1/2t, sugar 1/2t, black pepper 1/4t, mashed garlic 1/2t and chopped green pepper 1/2t to beef and mix them well. Cook beef in the pan
7. Put cooked vegetables and beef on the top of rice in a bowl
8. Add the egg on the top and add the rest of sesame oil
9. Serve with red pepper paste

bibimbap

Bean sprout soup is very very simple and easy to make. It is popular as a morning soup.
Bean Sprouts 1/4 Pound
Dry Anchovies 15
Mashed Garlic 2ts
Red chili powder 1t
Salt 2ts
Chopped Green Onion for garnish
Green Pepper and Red Pepper 1/2 each

1. Boil 6 cups of water and anchovies for 30 minutes
2. Take anchovies out of the pot
3. Add bean sprouts to the pot and keep the lid close until bean sprouts get cooked (about 1 minute or 2)
4. Open the lid and add salt, chili powder, red & green peppers, garlic.
5. Boil the soup for another 2 minutes
6. Serve with chopped green onion
* If it is too bland, add a bit more salt.
** In summer, you can add ice and serve it cool.

Korean Soup Recipe

Galbi or kalbi is most famous Korean barbecue dish made with marinated beef short ribs.

Beef Rib (diagonally cut) 4 Pounds
Chopped Green Onion 1T
Mashed Garlic 1T
Kiwi 1
Pear 1/2
Apple 1/2
Sesame Oil 1/3 Cup
Soy Sauce 1 Cup
Sugar 2/3 Cup
Black Pepper 1/2t

1. Soak ribs in water for 1 hour and drain. Get rid of fat.
2. Make sauce with soy sauce, sugar, chopped green onion, mashed garlic, sesame oil and black pepper. Grind kiwi, pear, and apple and mix them with the sauce.
3. Marinate ribs with the sauce for 12 hours.
4. Heat the oven and grill ribs for 15 minute or barbecue them.

* Most of korean grocery stores have diagonally cut ribs. They are called ‘LA galbi’ since they are laterally cut.

Galbi