24 Authentic Korean Recipes

Looking for authentic Korean recipes to spice things up in the kitchen? From stir-fry to ribs to tofu, these easy dishes give dinner a fun twist.

I used to think that Korean dishes require lots of kitchen work and advanced preparation. But believe it or not, they’re pretty easy to make!

Welcome to the world of pickled vegetables, spicy meat, and tons of side dishes!

Korean foods are served all at once on the dining table — as seen in Korean restaurants (and movies). 

Each dish offers a distinctive taste. But when served together, they create balanced colors, textures, and flavors.

For Koreans, food is medicine. So expect healthy and hearty Korean recipes on this round-up list.

Get your chopsticks ready because these 24 Korean dishes will leave you craving more!

20+ Easy Korean Recipes We Adore

1. Korean Fried Chicken

Korean fried chicken is super crunchy and has a sticky sweet and spicy sauce!

The crackly crust and the tender chicken meat is a magical combination. The oh-so-flavorful sauce is, of course, the cherry on top.

In Korea, this fried chicken dish is a well-known appetizer or snack. It sure goes well with beer!

If you want a filling meal, serve this crispy, yummy chicken with a bowl of steamed rice and sides like pickled radish or cucumbers.

2. Korean Rice Cakes

Tteokbokki, or spicy rice cakes, is one of the beloved street foods in Korea. The reason? They’re chewy, rich in umami, and highly addictive!

This dish will also serve you savory flavors, thanks to the addition of anchovy stock and dried kelp.

The combination of chili paste and red pepper chili flakes makes up for a fiery sauce. Sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds on top for extra crunch and nuttiness!

3. Korean Strawberry Milk

This strawberry milk made of pureed fresh strawberries is my favorite Korean drink.

Once you learn this recipe, you’ll never go back to a store-bought strawberry drink!

This summer-inspired milk is entirely made of real strawberries. There are definitely no artificial ingredients here.

It has small chunks of strawberries in the drink for texture. Meanwhile, the coconut milk adds a fantastic sweet flavor.

The traditional Korean strawberry milk doesn’t have any topping. But if you like to add one, ice cream and chocolate syrup are my top picks!

4. Korean BBQ Sauce

The ultimate BBQ is here, and it’s in Korean-style! This is the recipe you need to replicate the delicious dipping sauces at Korean BBQ restaurants.

This recipe contains not just one but three types of BBQ sauces. First, there’s the Ssamjang, a spicy dipping sauce for wraps and cucumber sticks.

The second sauce combines sesame oil, salt, and pepper sauce — best for grilled non-marinated meat.

And the third one is a combination of wasabi and soy sauce, ideal for char-grilled meat. 

5. Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona coffee is a big hit in Korea and other countries because it’s easy to make with just four ingredients!

To make this frothy and sweet iced coffee, all you have to do is whip the instant coffee with sugar and water until you create a smooth foam.

Spoon the foam over milk, and you’re done!

You can do the whipping using a hand mixer. But if you have extra time and patience, feel free to whip the foam manually.

6. Kimchi Pancakes

Kimchi is no doubt one of the most loved Korean dishes today. Did you know you can turn it into pancakes? It’s that awesome! 

Yup, kimchi pancakes are a thing, and they’re addictively tasty! Also known as kimchijeon, these pancakes are crispy and full of bold flavors.

Serve with soy and vinegar dipping sauce for a nourishing afternoon snack! 

7. Korean Stir-Fried Noodles

This Korean dish features glass noodles made from sweet potato starch. Mix them with vegetables and mushrooms, then season with sesame oil and soy sauce.

The result is a delicious noodle dish with slightly sweet and savory flavors. Of course, you can make your own variation by making it spicy.

Adding sesame seeds or chopped pine nuts is a must-try for a nice crunch.

8. Korean Beef Short Ribs

Using this recipe, you can transform your tough meat into a beef dish that falls-off-the-bone tender!

The secret to achieving the perfect tenderness is cooking the meat in a slow cooker. This might take a while, but the result will be amazing.

Don’t forget the gochujang (Korean chile paste) to add slightly sweet and slightly spicy flavors to the dish.

9. Korean Braised Potatoes

Here’s another great product of slow-braising: Gamja Jorim or braised baby potatoes.

Coated in a sweet and garlicky soy sauce, these potatoes are a great pair for freshly steamed rice.

This side dish is often found in traditional Korean restaurants, but you can make it at home using a few simple ingredients.

Want more flavorful potatoes? Make sure to add sesame oil, sesame seeds, and honey to the braising sauce.

10. Citron Tea

Citron tea is a non-caffeinated Korean drink known for its health benefits.

It’s an herbal tea that claims to calm a cough, cure the flu, and soothe a sore throat.

The tea is made from a citrus fruit called yuja, a common ingredient in Asian recipes.

The exciting part here is you’ll use all parts of the citrus fruit except the seeds.

Yup, including the peel! Mix with some honey and sugar, and you’ll have a delicious drink to warm you up.

11. Korean Chicken and Crispy Rice

Spicy Korean chicken and crispy pancake rice is a perfect match.

The chicken adds extra crunch to the crisp rice pancake while the sauce makes everything so flavorful!

This recipe is my go-to when I have a lot of leftover cooked rice.

If you don’t have any, you can always cook and cool the rice ahead of time to make things easier.  

12. Spicy Korean Tofu

Here’s another side dish that will satisfy your spicy cravings.

Spicy Korean tofu is a hot take on the classic dubu jorim, a tofu dish braised in a simple soy sauce-based sauce.

For a savory and spicy sauce, just add chili powder, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil to the mix.

Serve it with some tender noodles and it’s one of my go-to vegan Korean recipes.

13. Beef Bulgogi

Bulgogi refers to thin slices of beef that are marinated and grilled (or stir-fried) to perfection.

This Korean BBQ beef dish is often made with tender parts of the beef like sirloin or brisket.

Thanks to the flavorful Bulgogi sauce, you’ll have an insanely delicious dish! It’s slightly salty with nutty and savory tones.

The addition of Asian pear or red apple to the marinating sauce brings out the mildly sweet flavor of this dish.

14. Korean Sweet Potato Latte

A creamy, light latte made from sweet potato is so awesome. This drink is what you need to fend off the chilly nights.

The recipe entails easy steps, which start with steaming the potatoes and blending them with milk and a little sugar.

Make the drink extra warm by adding some ground cinnamon and chopped walnuts on top. This drink is perfect if you love lattes but not caffeine! 

15. Korean Beef Tacos

While tacos are a traditional Mexican dish, Koreans have their own tasty and hearty rendition.

Expect mini-flour tacos packed with Korean beef, kimchi, and Sriracha mayo.

Mind you, this dish requires caramelized kimchi, so it has a slightly sweet taste.

Achieve balanced flavors by drizzling Sriracha mayo on top along with red onion, cilantro, and sesame seeds. 

16. Gochujang Grilled Cheese

This crunchy grilled cheese features three types of cheese, Gruyère, fontina, and white cheddar.

Of course, the famous Korean sauce, gochujang, will bring all the flavors into this dish.

This crimson paste is spicy, sweet, and salty. When it meets the melty cheese and tangy mayonnaise, you’ll be in for a treat!

The addition of okra, bean sprouts, and pancetta to this sandwich will make it nutritious and satisfying.

17. Korean Toast

This Korean toast is sure to fill you up! Best of all, it’s packed with addictive flavors and nutritious ingredients.

Between the crisp toasted bread slices, you’ll find a cabbage patty made using onions, carrots, cabbage, egg, and salt to taste. 

A drizzle of sugar, ketchup, and mustard on top will complete this street-style Korean toast.

18. Banana Milk

Back in the 1970s, the Korean government encouraged its people to consume more milk to combat malnutrition.

At that time, white milk was too simple for their taste. 

So Binggrae, a dairy company, came up with banana-flavored milk. And that’s when this delicious drink became a local favorite.

Store-bought banana milk is undoubtedly good. But it’s more satisfying if you make your own banana milk drink!

If you already have condensed milk, whole milk, banana, and maple syrup sitting in your pantry, you’re good to go.

Don’t forget the vanilla extract to infuse a delicate sweetness and enchanting aroma to your drink!

19. Korean Coleslaw

This easy and light Korean salad is a well-loved side dish (banchan) that pairs well with grilled beef, chicken, or fish.

The recipe is a quick one if you have a bagged coleslaw mix on-hand.

The flavorful dressing is a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, red pepper, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

Like its cousin, kimchi, this coleslaw side dish is low in calories and rich in nutrients.

20. Korean Pumpkin Porridge

Hobakjuk, or pumpkin porridge, is another must-try Korean recipe to calm and warm your senses.

This recipe requires pureed cooked squash combined with glutinous rice and then seasoned with salt and sugar.

For garnish, red beans are a classic. If you want a nice crunch in every bite, add some pine nuts or pumpkin seeds to the porridge. 

21. Kimchi

Kimchi has been mentioned in the first few recipes, and clearly, it is widely popular and super versatile! 

Kimchi is a symbol of Korea’s fermenting tradition. It’s a living history that represents the preservation methods of ancient Korean families.

From the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD, fermented foods became a hit so Koreans can keep a constant food supply even during harsh winters.

While this recipe yields a dish with a pungent smell, it is packed with umami that’s impossible to resist.

It’s spicy, salty, and tangy. It’s a great partner for dumplings and fried rice.  

22. Spicy Radish Salad

Like Korean coleslaw, this spicy radish salad has a similar flavor profile to kimchi. Why? Because it’s made with the same seasonings used for kimchi.

This includes garlic, red chili pepper flakes, and vinegar, among others.

As such, spicy radish salad is a great substitute for kimchi. It’s crunchy, well-seasoned, and absolutely delicious.

You can eat this salad as is or serve it with Korean pork wrap or steamed rice.

23. Korean Fried Rice

This Korean fried rice (bokkeumbap) is easy to make, and you’ll be finished in 20 minutes or less!

There are many different versions of fried rice in Korea, but this recipe is among the quickest and simplest ones.

It’s perfect to use leftover rice or create a filling meal for lunch boxes.

For this recipe, you’ll have to stir-fry the steamed rice together with crispy bacon strips and a mix of vegetables. 

To create a flavorful impact, the vegetables should be cooked in soy sauce and oyster sauce. Toss everything into the skillet, mix, and add the garnish.

Give the flavor more depth by adding kimchi juice to the rice mix.

This simple trick creates kimchi fried rice, a popular variety of Korea’s fried rice.  

24. Barley Tea

Barley tea is a famous healthy drink in different countries, including China, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea.

This tea claims to aid overall health by eliminating free radicals and supplying the body with vitamins A and C.

Besides the awesome health benefits, barley tea has a distinct flavor. It’s light and nutty with bitter undertones and tastes like coffee.

Barley tea is delicious hot or cold. It’s served in Korea all year long. Learn this recipe and you’ll have a classic healthy drink for all seasons!