Language/Korean/Culture/Korean-Cuisine

Korean Culture → Korean Culture and Customs → Korean Cuisine

As a Korean language teacher with 20 years of experience, I know how important it is to understand the culture and customs of a society when learning a language. Therefore, in this lesson, I want to introduce you to the world of Korean cuisine. Food is an integral part of Korean culture, and learning about it will deepen your understanding of the country and its people.

Korean Cuisine

Korean cuisine is known for its health benefits, unique flavors, and colorful presentation. Korean dishes are often prepared with a mix of vegetables, meats, seafood, and tofu. Korean meals are also accompanied by a wide variety of side dishes, called banchan.

Some popular Korean dishes include:

• Bibimbap: A rice bowl mixed with vegetables, meat or tofu, and chili paste.
• Kimchi: A spicy and sour fermented cabbage dish that is a staple in Korean cuisine.
• Bulgogi: Marinated beef or pork grilled and served with rice and side dishes.
• Japchae: A dish made of sweet potato noodles, vegetables, and meat or tofu, usually served as a side dish.
• Tteokbokki: Spicy rice cakes served in a thick sauce made of chili paste.

To fully appreciate Korean cuisine, it is also important to understand the ingredients and flavors that are unique to Korean cooking. Some of the essential Korean ingredients are:

• Gochujang: A spicy red chili paste made from chili powder, glutinous rice, and fermented soybeans. It is a staple in many Korean dishes.
• Gochugaru: Coarse red chili pepper flakes used for making kimchi and other spicy dishes.
• Doenjang: A fermented soybean paste used in soups, stews, and dipping sauces.
• Sesame oil: Used for stir-frying and seasoning dishes.
• Soy sauce: Used for seasoning and marinading meat and vegetables.

Korean cuisine also has a unique flavor profile that is achieved through the use of ingredients such as gochujang, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Korean dishes often have a balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavors.

Here are some common Korean food phrases that you can use when ordering food in a Korean restaurant:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
주문 (Jumun)	joo-moon	Order, please.
매운 (Ma-eun)	may-oon	Spicy
안매운 (An Ma-eun)	an may-oon	Not spicy
맛있어요 (Masiseoyo)	ma-si-seo-yo	Delicious
계산 (Gyesan)	gyeh-san	Check, please.

I highly recommend trying out different Korean dishes and exploring the world of Korean cuisine. Not only will you enjoy the unique flavors, but you will also gain insight into Korean culture and customs.

Sources

• Korean cuisine
• List of Korean dishes

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Korean Alphabets

• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Korean Pronunciation
• Subject and Object Markers

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Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself
• Family and Friends

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Korean Culture and Customs

• Korean Etiquette
• Korean Holidays
• Korean Cuisine

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Sentence Building

• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Question Words
• Connecting Verbs

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Daily Routine

• Daily Activities
• Means of Transportation
• Weather and Seasons

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Korean Pop Culture

• Korean Dramas
• Korean Music
• Korean Cinema

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Describing People and Things

• Describing People
• Describing Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

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Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Drinks
• Cooking and Recipes

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Korean Traditions

• Korean Weddings
• Korean Festivals
• Korean Games and Sports

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Verb Tenses

• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• Progressive Tense

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Travel and Sightseeing

• Travel Vocabulary
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Shopping Vocabulary

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Korean Arts and Crafts

• Korean Calligraphy
• Korean Pottery
• Korean Paper Crafts

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Conjunctions and Connectors

• Conjunctions
• Connectors
• Conditional Sentences

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Health and Body

• Body Parts
• Health Vocabulary
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary

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Korean Nature

• Korean National Parks
• Korean Folk Villages
• Korean Eco-Friendly Practices