How much do you know about Korean food? Korean cuisine has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of people around the world. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a culture, a story, and a reflection of the Korean spirit. In this blog post, I would like to introduce 3 classic Korean dishes and their recipes with you. The following three dishes represent the how diverse Korean flavors are—beloved classics that you’re bound to fall in love with. Ready to taste the soul of Korea? Let’s dig in! Special Note About Korean Recipes Have you ever heard the follow phrase or something similar: Season it until your ancestors tell you to stop This phrase encompasses how we cook Korean food. The measurements in the recipes below are simply a guide to get you to the base flavors of the dish. However, recipes differ from household to household because, in Korea, we don’t often use measuring cups. Instead of measuring out ingredients perfectly, we taste the dish as we cook it. So, if you would like to add more or less of an ingredient, “season it until your ancestors tell you to stop” or until the food tastes the way you would like it to. If you don’t have Korean ancestors, you can borrow mine while cooking these dishes. DISH 1: Bulgogi – The Perfect Balance of Sweet and Smoky Bulgogi is a Korean-style barbecue made by marinating thin slices of beef in a savory-sweet blend of soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and pear juice. Once grilled, the meat develops a light smokiness that enhances its juicy and tender texture. Despite its simple preparation, the harmony of flavors and proper marination make all the difference. Often served with a bowl of steamed rice, bulgogi is not only beloved in Korea but also a favorite introduction to Korean cuisine around the world. Bulgogi Recipe: Ingredients(For 4 servings) Instructions DISH 2: Bibimbap – Harmony in a Bowl Bibimbap is a vibrant Korean dish that brings together seasoned vegetables, marinated meat, a fried egg, and gochujang (Korean chili paste) on a bed of warm rice. Each component is prepared separately to retain its unique taste and texture, yet when mixed together, they create a perfectly balanced and flavorful meal. Known for being nutritious and visually stunning, bibimbap has evolved into regional varieties such as Jeonju and Jinju styles. It’s a dish that represents both the aesthetic and culinary philosophy of Korean food. Bibimbap Recipe: Ingredients(For 4 servings) Instructions DISH 3: Kimchi Jjigae – A Stew of Depth and Comfort Kimchi jjigae is a bold, spicy stew made with aged kimchi, pork, tofu, and chili powder. The fermentation of the kimchi creates a deep, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the rich broth. Often enjoyed bubbling hot with a bowl of rice, this dish is a staple in Korean households. Variations include tuna, spam, or seafood, depending on the season and personal preference. More than just a meal, kimchi jjigae is a warm, comforting expression of home and tradition for many Koreans. Kimchi Jjigae Recipe: Ingredients (For 4 servings) Instructions Embracing the Heart and Flavor of Korea Bulgogi, bibimbap, and kimchi jjigae are more than just dishes—they are stories of Korean life, culture, and heart. From the sweet smokiness of grilled meat to the harmony of a mixed rice bowl and the deep warmth of fermented stew, each dish reflects the care, tradition, and soul of Korean cooking. Korean food is an invitation—a warm welcome served through flavor, patience, and love. If you’re just beginning your journey into Korean cuisine, these three dishes are the perfect place to start. Take a bite, and let the taste of Korea speak for itself. About the “Shared Voices” Initiative South of Seoul volunteers collaborate with Korean public schools to provide students meaningful opportunities to expand their English communication experience while sharing their world views with the international community in Korea. Through guided projects, students in Korean classrooms use digital and creative tools to express themselves in English, building confidence in their communication skills. At the same time, they learn to approach writing with empathy. They participate in guided discussions that consider different perspectives, practicing cultural awareness, and developing a deeper understanding of how their words can connect communities across borders. It’s important to know that schools in South Korea are becoming increasingly diverse, this includes the students who participate in South of Seoul programs like “Shared Voices.” Minseo JeonMinseo Jeon is a sophomore at Jinwee High School. She lives in Pyeongtaek and majors in beauty, focusing on hair design. She loves food and enjoys trying different kinds of meals in her free time. She also enjoys studying English. She hopes to become a hair stylist in the future.

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Today let’s learn about cooking bibimbap 비빔밥 at home! Bibimbap is one of Korea’s most popular foods. It is a dish comprised of mixed vegetables, beef and rice. Depending upon your tastes, there are many ways to diversify this dish. About the South of Seoul “A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. However, the time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere. This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. About Bibimbap Bibimbap is a delicious rice dish with mixed vegetables and beef mixed with a spicy gochujang sauce. “Bibim” (비빔) literally means ‘to mix’ and “bap” (밥) means ‘rice.’ Generally, the dish is served as a bowl of rice with vegetables and meat on top and then mixed with the spicy gochujang sauce. Additionally, as wide varieties are available, you change the ingredients to your liking. Then, you can also choose whether to have this in a heated stoneware bowl referred to as dolsot bibimbap 돌솥비빔밥. In my opinion, dulsot bibimbap is the best because the bowl is served sizzling with the rice getting a deliciously crispy texture. Three regions in Korea are famous for their versions: Jeonju, Jinju and Tongyeong. In Jeonju, there is a Bibimbap Festival that occurs in the Fall usually in October. A few of the most common styles of bibimbap are: Biggest Hurdle in Cooking Bibimbap If you are making all of your banchan  반찬 at the same time as your bibimbap, this can feel like a time-consuming and quite overwhelming dish. There are a couple of options that might make this a bit easier for you. First, you can make banchan earlier in the week reducing the amount of time in the kitchen. Plus, you can enjoy your banchan during the week too. Secondly, you can purchase some premade banchan at the grocery store, market. There are also specialty stores that sell banchan as well. If you choose to make dolsot bibimbap, you will want to have a stone pot or ttukbaegi 뚝배기 and cook it on a gas stove. If you do not have a gas stove, we got the delicious crispy rice texture by putting sesame oil in the bottom of our stone pot, adding the rice, and pressing it down to allow it to cook. We then put the stone pot in the oven to heat and create the scorched rice (also referred to as nurungji 누룽지). Three Recommended Cooking Bibimbap Videos to Watch Since this is a popular food, it is easy to find this dish in local restaurants. Cooking bibimbap at home takes time but is so worth it. This dish is the first Korean food that Chuck chose for me to try, so it always will be my favorite dish here. Korean American Cooking Bibimbap Korean Cooking Bibimbap American in Korea Cooking Bibimbap Let Us Know How It Turns Out When you make bibimbap for the first time at home, be sure to leave a comment and let us know how it turned out! Also, if you live in Pyeongtaek, you can even share your success (or failure) with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group. If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel or check out our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram, where we often share what we are cooking or eating. Jeonju: The Home of Bibimbap No bibimbap journey is complete without a visit to Jeonju, the birthplace of this beloved Korean dish. Nestled in the heart of the city, Jeonju Hanok Village offers not only a cultural escape with over 700 traditional houses, hanbok rentals, and historic sites, but also the most authentic way to savor bibimbap where it all began. To plan your trip and discover the best spots, check out these United on the RoK guides: Jeonju Hanok Village Guide: Parking, Attractions & Travel Tips and Discover Jeonju Hanok Village: Korea’s Cultural Escape into Tradition, Food, and History. Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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