6 Korean dishes you can make at home

Korean cuisine has taken the culinary world by storm, offering a delicious combination of flavours, textures and aromas. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner, bringing the taste of Korea into your home is easier than you think. From the tangy and spicy kick of kimchi to the comforting warmth of ramen, these iconic dishes are satisfying and easy to prepare. Chef Dheeraj Mathur, Executive Chef, Cluster, Radisson Blu, Kaushambi, Delhi NCR, shares six easy recipes that will blow your mind and bring the world of Korean food to your kitchen table.

1. Kimchi

Kimchi is a spicy and sour salad made with fermented cabbage and seasonings. It is ideal as an accompaniment to main dishes at lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 kg of Chinese cabbage
• 8 cups of water
• 140g Korean coarse sea salt
• 40 g of cooking salt
• Kimchi seasoning:
  • 1 tablespoon glutinous rice flour
  • 1 cup of water
  • 70g gochujang (Korean chili flakes)
  • 270 g Korean radish, cut into julienne strips
  • 1/2 tablespoon fine sea salt
  • 1.5 tablespoons Korean fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon salted fermented shrimp, chopped
  • 40 g Korean chives cut into 5 cm pieces
  • 70 g of carrots cut into julienne strips
  • 20 g minced garlic
  • 1/4 tablespoon chopped ginger
  • 1 tablespoon unrefined sugar
  • 40 g onion, blended or finely grated

Method:

1. Cut the cabbage into quarters and rinse with water.
2. Dissolve coarse salt in water and soak the cabbage.
3. Rub kitchen salt over the cabbage leaves.
4. Place the salted cabbage in a container with salt water for 6 hours, turning it every 2 hours.
5. Rinse and drain the cabbage.
6. Prepare a glutinous rice paste and mix it with chili flakes.
7. Combine radish, sea salt, fish sauce, shrimp, scallions, carrots, garlic, ginger, sugar and blended onion.
8. Spread the seasoning on each cabbage leaf.
9. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 24 hours, then refrigerate.

2. Ramen

Ramen is a popular Korean dish that is quick and easy to prepare, perfect for a comforting meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1 1/2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups of water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 5-6 baby pak choi leaves, chopped
• 4 packages ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Coverages:
  • 1 pound grilled chicken, sliced
  • 2 soft-boiled eggs, cut in half
  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
  • Sesame seeds for decoration

Method:

1. Heat the sesame oil in a pot, sauté the garlic and ginger.
2. Add the mushrooms and cook until soft.
3. Add the chicken broth, water and soy sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add the bok choy and simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, add ramen noodles to broth until softened.
6. Divide into bowls, top with chicken, eggs, green onions and sesame seeds.

3. Bingsu

Bingsu is a popular Korean dessert made with frozen berries, vanilla ice cream, and fruits.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 cups frozen mango
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream

Method:

1. Mix the milk, condensed milk and salt. Freeze overnight.
2. Heat 1 cup mango, sugar and water. Blend until pureed.
3. Scrape out the frozen milk, place it into bowls with the mango, and top with ice cream and mango puree.

4. Korean fried chicken

Korean fried chicken is crispy, flavorful and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1.4 kg of chicken pieces
• 2 tablespoons of rice wine
• 2 teaspoons chopped ginger
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup potato starch or cornstarch
• Oil for frying
• Dip:
  • 3 tablespoons of ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons of gochujang
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Garnish:
• Sesame seeds
• Green onion, chopped

Method:

1. Marinate the chicken with rice wine, ginger, salt and pepper. Coat with starch.
2. Fry the chicken at 175°C until cooked. Fry again until golden and crispy.
3. Heat the sauce ingredients until bubbling.
4. Cover the chicken with the sauce and garnish.

5. Japchae

Japchae, or glass noodles, is a stir-fry dish made with sweet potato noodles, vegetables and sauces.

Ingredients:

• 8oz Sweet Potato Noodles
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons of honey
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1 boneless chicken breast, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 carrots cut into strips
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup fresh spinach

Method:

1. Cook noodles until tender, rinse and toss with 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil.
2. Mix soy sauce and honey.
3. Cook chicken in canola oil, add vegetables and garlic and cook until spinach wilts.
4. Add the noodles, sauce and remaining sesame oil. Mix and serve hot.

6. Mandu

Mandu are Korean dumplings filled with vegetables and meat, served steamed, fried or in soup.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup mung bean sprouts, chopped
• 1/2 package of firm tofu
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 30 dumpling skins
• Accompanying sauce:
  • Soy sauce and vinegar, 3:1 ratio
  • Garlic slices, red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:

1. Boil the sprouts and then chop them. Squeeze the water out of the tofu.
2. Mix all the filling ingredients.
3. Place the filling in the skins, seal and cook in a pan with oil until golden. Add water, cover and steam.
4. Serve with dipping sauce.

Enjoy these delicious Korean dishes that are easy to make at home!