10 Easy Korean Recipes to Make at Home

The Appeal of Korean Food and the Home Cooking Trend

Korean cuisine, called Hansik (한식), is famous for its healthy ingredients, rich flavors, and balanced meals. Today, more people are enjoying cooking at home—especially simple Korean dishes that anyone can try, even beginners. Hansik is loved for its variety of side dishes, use of seasonal ingredients, and low-calorie cooking methods, making it perfect for health-conscious eaters. In this post, you’ll discover 10 essential Korean recipes that are easy to follow and perfect for home cooks everywhere.

How We Chose These Recipes

Diverse Ingredients and Nutritional Balance

Korean meals typically include rice, soup, stew, and several side dishes (banchan). Each recipe uses a mix of vegetables, meat, and sometimes seafood, ensuring balanced nutrition.

Simple and Clear Cooking Steps

Every recipe is designed to be easy, with clear instructions and common ingredients you can find at most supermarkets or Asian grocery stores.

Authentic Korean Flavors

Traditional seasonings like soy sauce, gochujang (red chili paste), and doenjang (soybean paste) are used to create authentic tastes. Don’t worry—most of these can be found online or in international markets.

1. Beef Seaweed Soup (Miyeokguk, 미역국)

Korea’s Classic Birthday Soup

Miyeokguk is a nutritious soup made with beef and seaweed, often eaten on birthdays or after childbirth.
How to make:

1. Soak dried seaweed (about a handful) in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain.
2. Cut beef (stewing or stir-fry cuts) into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a pot, heat sesame oil, add beef, minced garlic, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add soaked seaweed and stir together.
5. Pour in water (about 4 cups), season with soy sauce and salt, and simmer for 15 minutes.
   More info: Korean Food Foundation

2. Soy Sauce Braised Eggs (Gyeran Jangjorim, 계란장조림)

The Ultimate Savory Side Dish

1. Boil eggs and peel.
2. In a pot, mix soy sauce, sugar, water, garlic, and chili (optional). Bring to a boil.
3. Add the eggs and simmer for 15 minutes to absorb the flavor.
4. You can add chili peppers or quail eggs for variety.

3. Braised Potatoes (Gamja Jorim, 감자조림)

Sweet and Salty Potato Banchan

1. Peel and dice potatoes into small cubes.
2. Sauté potatoes, onions, and carrots in a pan with a little oil.
3. Add soy sauce, sugar, and water. Simmer until potatoes are soft and sauce thickens.
4. Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a dash of sesame oil.

4. Korean Bulgogi (불고기)

Sweet and Savory Marinated Beef

1. Slice beef thinly (ribeye or sirloin works best).
2. Marinate with soy sauce, sugar, grated pear or apple, garlic, sesame oil, and pepper for 30 minutes.
3. Stir-fry beef with onions, green onions, and mushrooms.
4. Serve with rice, or make a lettuce wrap.

5. Kimchi Pancake (Kimchi Jeon, 김치전)

Crispy and Tangy Pancake

1. Chop well-fermented kimchi.
2. Mix with flour (or pancake mix) and water to make a batter.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan and pour batter thinly.
4. Fry both sides until golden brown.
5. Add onions, green onions, or seafood for more flavor.

6. Soybean Paste Stew (Doenjang Jjigae, 된장찌개)

A Comforting and Nutritious Stew

1. Prepare vegetables like potato, zucchini, tofu, and onion.
2. In a pot, mix anchovy broth (or water), doenjang (soybean paste), gochujang (chili paste), and minced garlic. Bring to a boil.
3. Add vegetables and tofu, cook for 10 minutes.
4. Finish with chopped green onions and chili peppers for extra flavor.

7. Spicy Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim, 오이무침)

Quick and Refreshing Side Dish

1. Slice cucumber thinly and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes, then squeeze out excess water.
2. Mix with Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), vinegar, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil.
3. Ready in just 5 minutes!

8. Stir-Fried Anchovies (Myulchi Bokkeum, 멸치볶음)

Crunchy and Savory Snack

1. Toast small dried anchovies in a pan to remove any fishy smell.
2. Add soy sauce, sugar, water, and corn syrup (or honey). Simmer until slightly sticky.
3. Turn off heat, then mix in sesame oil and seeds.
4. Add nuts like peanuts or almonds for extra crunch.

9. Spicy Braised Chicken (Dakbokkeumtang, 닭볶음탕)

Hearty Spicy Chicken Stew

1. Cut chicken into pieces and prepare potatoes, carrots, onions, and green onions.
2. Mix gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and pepper to make sauce.
3. Put chicken, vegetables, and sauce in a pot. Add water, cover, and boil for 30 minutes until chicken is tender.

10. Korean Glass Noodles (Japchae, 잡채)

Popular Holiday and Party Dish

1. Soak sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon) in water.
2. Julienne pork, spinach, carrots, onion, and mushrooms.
3. Stir-fry each ingredient with a bit of oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Boil noodles, drain, and stir-fry with soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil.
5. Mix all together, garnish with sesame seeds.

Tips for Cooking Korean Food & Helpful Links

Korean cooking focuses on highlighting the natural flavor of ingredients and using unique seasoning combinations for deep taste. Use a regular tablespoon for measurements—it’s simple and traditional in Korean homes. For more detailed recipes, check the Korean Food Foundation, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and official stats at KOSIS.

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Cooking Korean food at home brings health benefits and brings families together. Try these recipes and discover your favorite Korean home-cooked dishes!

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Final Thoughts & Practical Tips

Korean food isn’t hard. The 10 recipes introduced here are easy for anyone to try at home. Mix and match the side dishes as you like. The more you practice, the more you’ll make them your own! If you want more recipes or video guides, visit Hansik Foundation or KOSIS.