Category · K-Food
Kimchi is not just one thing
When people think of kimchi, they often picture a single dish.
But in Korea, there are many different types of kimchi.
Depending on the ingredients, the season, and the situation in which it’s eaten,...
A kimchi with a different shape
When people think of kimchi, they often imagine it cut into smaller pieces.
But there are also types of kimchi with a slightly different shape.
One of them is chonggak kimchi. (총각김치)...
A kimchi enjoyed with its juice
When people think of kimchi, they often imagine something eaten as a side dish.
But there are also types of kimchi that are enjoyed together with their juice.
One of them is dongchimi. (동치미)...
A kimchi that may feel unfamiliar at first
In Korea, there are some types of kimchi that can feel unfamiliar when you first try them.
One of them is gat kimchi. (갓김치)
A kimchi made with mustard leaves...
Not all kimchi is spicy
When people think of kimchi, they often imagine something spicy.
But there are also types of kimchi that are not spicy at all.
One of them is baek kimchi. (백김치)...
A kimchi that’s meant to be eaten fresh
When people think of kimchi, they often imagine something that develops deeper flavor over time.
But there are also types of kimchi that are meant to be eaten fresh.
One of them is oi kimchi (오이김치)....
A kimchi that can feel unfamiliar at first
In Korea, there are some types of kimchi that can feel unfamiliar when you first try them.
One of them is pa kimchi (파김치).
For people who aren’t used to it, the flavor can feel quite strong at first....
A kimchi that comes to mind on hot days
When the weather gets hot, you start to think of a different kind of kimchi.
Instead of something rich and heavy, a lighter and more refreshing taste feels more fitting.
That’s when yeolmu kimchi (열무김치) often comes to mind....
The kimchi that comes with soup dishes
In Korea, when you order dishes like gukbap (국밥) or seolleongtang (설렁탕), there’s a type of kimchi that almost always comes with it.
That’s kkakdugi. (깍두기)
You don’t usually have to order it. It’s often served by default....
When people say “kimchi,” they usually mean this
In Korea, when people say “kimchi,” (김치) they are often referring to baechu kimchi. (배추김치)
It’s considered the most basic and standard type of kimchi.
A fermented dish made with napa cabbage...
Kimchi is served first in Korean restaurants
When you go to a Korean restaurant, you’ll often get kimchi before you even order.
No matter what you choose, kimchi usually comes as a standard side dish.
What is kimchi?...
When you look at a typical drinking scene in Korea, you might notice something a bit unusual.
People mix soju and beer together in one glass.
This is called somaek .
What kind of combination is it?
Somaek is a mix of soju and beer.
The name itself is simple. It comes from combining the words “soju” and “maekju” (beer in Korean).
Why do people mix them?...
In Korea, there’s another drink that feels quite different from soju. It’s called makgeolli. (막걸리)
At first glance, it might not even look like alcohol. It can look more like milk or yogurt.
What kind of drink is it?
Makgeolli is a fermented rice drink. It has a cloudy appearance and sometimes a slight natural fizz....
When you go out for drinks in Korea, there’s one thing you’ll almost always see. It’s soju .
What’s interesting is that this isn’t just a popular drink in Korea. It’s part of one of the best-selling distilled spirits brands in the world .
But in Korea, it’s not treated as anything special. It’s just the “default” drink.
What kind of drink is it?
Soju is a clear distilled liquor. It usually has an alcohol content of around 16–20%.
It used to be stronger in the past, but the alcohol level has gradually gone down.
This make...
In Korea, people typically use both a spoon and chopsticks during meals.
Tableware in Korea
A typical Korean meal includes both tools.
• Spoon: for rice and soup...
In Korea, many people drink iced Americano even during winter.
What Is “Eoljuka (얼죽아)”?
“Eoljuka” is short for a phrase that means “iced Americano no matter what.”
It refers to people who choose iced coffee regardless of the weather....
In Korea, it is common to cook meat yourself at BBQ restaurants.
How Does It Work?
Meat is cooked directly on a grill at the table.
• You cook the meat yourself...
In Korea, it is common to wrap food in vegetables before eating.
What Is Ssam?
Ssam is a way of eating where meat, rice, and side dishes are wrapped together in leafy vegetables.
• Lettuce...
Korean meals usually come with a variety of side dishes.
What Is Banchan?
Banchan refers to small dishes served alongside rice.
• Kimchi...
