How to Follow a Traditional Korean Diet

Food plays a significant role in Korean culture.

Food plays a large role in understanding different cultures around the world. Eating a traditional Korean diet will help you understand the environment of the country because of the local ingredients used in dishes. Seasonal food grown in Korea inspires the majority of the dishes you find in this Asian country. To eat a traditional Korean diet, consume the staples in addition to eating a variety of meats, seafoods and local grains and vegetables.

Things You'll Need

• Steamed white rice
• Kimchi
• Soup
• Gan jang
• Gochujang
• Doenjang
• Napa Cabbage
• Meat
• Seafood

Instructions

1. 

   Rice is a staple ingredient in traditional Korean meals.

   Prepare rice as a staple ingredient to most Korean dishes. Rice is referred to as bap, which is also the word used for meal. You can fry, boil or prepare rice with beans or millet. Rice is used as an ingredient for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In Korea, you will find they mostly use a short grain sticky rice variety called ssal bap.

2. 

   Kimchi is a staple side dish at Korean tables.

   Add kimchi to your traditional Korean meals, which is also a staple food. Kimchi is a spicy fermented vegetable that is usually made with Chinese cabbage. However, there are hundreds of different varieties of kimchi made with a variety of vegetables. Red pepper powder gives kimchi its signature color.

3. 

   Seaweed soup with rice and beef is commonly found in Korea.

   Make a warm bowl of soup with a variety of local vegetables. Chili peppers, mushrooms, spinach and cabbage are just some of the typical ingredients used in soups. Meat and seafood are also ingredients in Korean soups. Rice can be added to the soup or served on the side. You will find that most meals are served with soup.

4. 

   Season your seafood with gan jang, which is soy sauce.

   Season your traditional Korean dishes with flavors native to Korean culture. Gan jang is the term used for Korean soy sauce. Gochujang will add a little spice to your food. It is made with a rice powder, red chili powder, fermented soybeans in a powder form and sea salt. Doenjang is fermented soy bean paste that is used in soups, stews, main courses and as a condiment.

5. 

   Potatoes are a popular ingredient in Korean cuisine.

   Use napa cabbage in your stews, main courses and soups. This vegetable is a staple in Korean cuisine. You will also find beans, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, potatoes, lotus roots and spinach in many Korean dishes.

6. 

   Barbeque short ribs is a favorite meal in Korea.

   Use meat in your Korean-inspired main courses. Beef, chicken and pork are the three most popular meat varieties. Seafood is also commonly used in soups, side dishes and main courses. Korean barbeque short ribs is a favorite Korean dish.

References

• PBS: Hidden Korea
• Work n Play: Korea Food & Drink