If there’s something here you decide you just must have, we’ve provided links to the product websites. When you click on the link and make a purchase, Beasley Media Group may earn a commission. We are an Amazon Associate and earn from qualifying purchases.
The Hallyu wave has not only crashed on us, but it also completely engulfed us and consumed us. From Korean beauty products to belting out K-pop songs even if we don’t understand the lyrics, our “oppas” and “unnies” have dominated pop culture and social media. If you’re a big-time fan of K-dramas, it’s also possible that you’ve become interested in Korean cuisine and dreamt of walking along Gwangjang market to sample Korean food.
If you’re interested in Korean foods but are unfamiliar with what these are (and their sometimes difficult-to-pronounce names), continue reading below and learn where to shop for these products on Amazon.
Kimchi: One of the Most Well-Known Korean Foods
Undeniably one of the most popular Korean foods there is, kimchi is made from fermented napa cabbage and radishes. It’s usually eaten as a side dish and is best paired with “ramyeon” (K-drama fans know what’s up when there’s ramyeon).
Bibimbap: Korea’s Fried Rice
Bibimbap is Korea’s version of fried rice. It’s a mixed rice dish with different toppings of vegetables, meat, and a spicy “gochujang” (red chili paste) sauce. It’s also a staple in Korean dramas since it’s easy to prepare, and you can see your favorite actors and actresses preparing it in K-dramas after a long day of work.
Tteokbokki: Chewy Rice Cake
Another dish that you might see a lot of times when watching K-dramas is the orange, chewy, rice cakes cooked in a spicy, sweet sauce. Tteokbokki is also served with boiled eggs, fish cakes, scallions and noodles. It’s commonly eaten as a snack or food while drinking soju.
Jjajangmyeon: Food for Singles
K-drama stars are often seen eating black noodles seasoned with pork and vegetables. This black noodle is called jjajangmyeon and is the “unofficial” dish for the “unofficial” holiday for singles, “Black Day,, every April 14.
Hotteok: For your Sweet Tooth
Hotteok are pancakes filled with syrup and often enjoyed as a dessert or snack. It’s one of the most popular street foods in Korea and is enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s sometimes served with seeds and or nuts.
Bulgogi: Your Next Favorite Marinade
Koreans love their beef and K-dramas always show this. Bulgogi is marinated and grilled beef, often served with rice and vegetables. You can even do this at home, especially if there are no Korean restaurants within driving range.
Kimchi Jjigae: Comfort Food
A hearty stew made with kimchi, tofu, and choice of meat (either pork or beef), is one of the most common and well-loved stews in Korean cuisine. This stew comes in different varieties depending on the ingredients.
Jongga Napa Cabbage Kimchi
This packed kimchi from Jongga comes in packs of 1, 2, 4 or 8. It’s ideal for those who want to try this iconic side dish for the first time since previous buyers have reviewed it as mild in a spiciness chart.
GOOD-TO-GO Bibimbap
True to its name, this bibimbap is good to go and ready to eat. It comes in single, double or 6-packs of double servings. What makes this different from other ready-to-eat meals is that it’s low in sodium and has no preservatives.
Tteokbokki
This tteokbokki from O’Food comes in different flavors and spiciness levels. From original (wuss) to diablo (hot and spicy, you’d also sweat through your eyeballs), this tteokbokki is perfect for those craving an easy fix since it cooks in under five minutes. It’s also gluten-free!
Jjajangmyeon
This instant jjajangmyeon from Paldo is already good as it is, or you can add your preferred meat and vegetables.
Hotteok
This Korean pancake mix from Beksul even comes with cinnamon and nuts and comes in 2 packs to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Bulgogi Marinade
This Bulgogi marinade from the CJ store comes in 2 packs. One bottle is 29.63 ounces and will go a long way towards marinating all your beef for BBQ night.
Bibigo Kimchi Stew with Tofu
This instant kimchi stew from Bibigo is good for 2 servings. Past buyers have also noted how easy it is to make and perfect for those wanting a hearty meal but don’t have the time.
