Korean Taste Journal

  5-Minute Spicy Chive Salad – Easy Korean Side Dish at Home Summary Looking for a quick, healthy, and flavorful Korean side dish? This spicy chive salad— Buchu Muchim —is your answer. With just a few ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time, even beginners can whip up this delicious side that pairs perfectly with rice, meat, or bibimbap. 1. Ingredients & Sauce Ratio Chives:  200g (fresh, green, firm stalks) Sauce ingredients: 2 tbsp Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru) 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp fish sauce 1 tsp minced garlic 1 tbsp sesame oil 1 tsp sugar 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds 2. Prepping the Chives Wash the chives thoroughly under running water. Pat dry with paper towels to remove all moisture. Cut them into 4–5 cm lengths. Store in the fridge if not using immediately to keep them crisp. Avoid soaking chives in water for too long—this weakens texture and drains nutrients.   3. Making the Spicy Sauce This sauce is the heart of the flavor. Combine gochugaru, soy sauc...

  Master Clam Steamed Dish – 90% Success Comes from Proper Sand Removal! Summary Clam steamed dishes are simple in theory but require attention to detail—especially sand removal. Based on my own trial and error, I’m sharing foolproof tips for choosing fresh clams, purging sand effectively, and creating a rich broth for a truly satisfying seafood dish. Table of Contents Ingredients for 2 servings How to choose fresh clams Step-by-step sand purging process How to make seafood broth Clam cooking instructions Tips to make it even tastier Ideas to repurpose leftovers Q&A 1. Ingredients for 2 Servings Main Supporting Seasoning Manila clams 300g Mussels 300g Scallops 6 pcs Short-neck clams 200g 1 green onion (diagonally sliced) 2 spicy green chilies (chopped) 1 red chili (chopped) 5 garlic cloves (sliced) 1 slice dried kelp (10x10cm) 1 thumb-sized ginger (sliced) 1/2 cup soju (for odor) 1/2 tsp salt A pinch of pepper 2. How to Choose Fresh Clams Choose clams with clean, tightly closed...

Grilled Deodeok(Codonopsis lanceolata): The Perfect Match with Samgyeopsal(Korean grilled pork belly) Recipe Summary With its earthy aroma and chewy texture,  grilled deodeok  is a healthy Korean dish that shines as a side or main. Its bold flavor and smoky edge make it a brilliant match for grilled meat like samgyeopsal. This guide walks you through prep, seasoning, cooking, and pairing ideas. Table of Contents Why Grilled Deodeok Is So Special Ingredients and Preparation Tips Perfect Seasoning Ratio Cooking Methods: Pan vs. Oven Creative Serving Ideas Q&A for First-Time Cooks Why Grilled Deodeok Is So Special Deodeok, a mountain root with a bitter yet fragrant note, becomes irresistibly delicious when grilled with gochujang-based sauce.  It balances bitterness and sweetness beautifully, especially when slightly charred . Paired with pork belly, it's a game-changer. Ingredients and Preparation Tips Deodeok:  6–8 roots (for 2 servings) Other ingredients:  Pe...

Quick and Easy Spam Rice Balls – Perfect for Busy Mornings Recipe Summary Ever opened your fridge with no idea what to eat, only to spot a single can of Spam?  That’s all you need to whip up a hearty and satisfying Spam rice ball!  With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, this recipe is perfect for rushed mornings or a quick lunchbox fix. Table of Contents Why Spam Rice Balls Are a Go-To Meal Ingredients for 2 Servings Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions Easy Ingredient Substitutions Frequently Asked Questions Why Spam Rice Balls Are a Go-To Meal If you're like me and don't enjoy complicated cooking, Spam rice balls are a lifesaver. With just rice, Spam, and a sheet of seaweed,  you can create a delicious meal in no time . Just three ingredients—Spam, rice, and seaweed—make the perfect bite-sized treat. You can also switch things up with tuna, stir-fried kimchi, or perilla leaves to create unique flavors that never get boring. Ingredients for 2 Servings Cooked...

Sweet and Tangy Cucumber Salad Recipe – Simple & Refreshing! Looking for a quick, refreshing side dish that wakes up your taste buds? This Korean-inspired cucumber salad recipe is the answer. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can enjoy a crunchy, sweet-and-sour banchan that pairs perfectly with any meal. 1. Fresh Ingredients First (Serves 2–3) Main:  2 fresh cucumbers (firm and crunchy) Optional:  Sliced onion, chopped scallions Seasoning:  2 tbsp red pepper flakes, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tbsp sesame oil, crushed sesame seeds Choose cucumbers that feel firm when gently squeezed. That means they’re fresh and ready for the perfect crunch! 2. Prepping the Cucumbers Wash:  Rinse cucumbers well and trim off the ends. Slice:  Cut into bite-sized rounds or diagonal slices for extra surface area. Salt & Rest:  Sprinkle with a bit of salt and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water. Drai...

Crispy and Savory Potato Pancake Recipe – Easy for Beginners! If you're looking for a simple yet satisfying dish that even beginners can master, try making  crispy potato pancakes  at home. This guide will walk you through each step to help you create deliciously golden pancakes with minimal ingredients. Great as a snack for kids or a side for adults! Ingredients You'll Need (Serves 2–3) Main:  3 medium potatoes Starch:  2 tablespoons of potato starch (or cornstarch) Optional:  ½ onion (finely chopped), chopped scallions Seasoning:  A pinch of salt, cooking oil for frying Chopped onion adds a mild sweetness, while scallions provide a fresh, aromatic twist. Use them to enhance the flavor without overwhelming the natural taste of the potato. Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions Prepare the Potatoes:  Wash, peel, and grate the potatoes using a grater. Make sure to collect the grated mixture and its juice in a bowl. Extract the Starch:  Let the potato wa...

  Classic Korean Healing Food: Ginseng & Jujube Chicken Soup (Baeksuk) Light, Nutritious, and Loved by All Ages Today, let’s make a beloved Korean health dish:  Chicken Baeksuk  (백숙), a simple boiled chicken soup enriched with medicinal ingredients like ginseng and jujube (Korean red dates). It's a clean, nourishing meal perfect for restoring energy and boosting your immune system. Though it sounds fancy, this dish is surprisingly easy to prepare and can be made with just a few wholesome ingredients. Let’s dive into this warm, comforting recipe together. Ingredients (Serves 3–4) 1 whole chicken  (about 1kg, cleaned and gutted) 1 cup glutinous rice  (soaked for 30 minutes) 5–7 jujubes  (Korean red dates) 5–7 chestnuts  (peeled) 10 garlic cloves 1 ginseng root  (fresh or dried) Salt and black pepper (to taste) Tip: Soaking the glutinous rice in advance makes it tender and helps it cook faster inside the chicken. How to Cook 1. Prep the Chicken S...

  Warm Beef Bulgogi Hot Pot in 30 Minutes After Work A Comforting Bowl to Wrap Up Your Day Ever stood in front of the fridge after work, tired and unsure of what to cook? I’ve been there more times than I can count. That’s why this  beef bulgogi hot pot  is my go-to. It’s filling, satisfying, and incredibly easy to put together. When you're exhausted, dinner should be easy. This one-pot dish combines meat, veggies, and noodles, so prep and cleanup are minimal. It’s hearty, flavorful, and comes together in just 30 minutes. Ingredients You’ll Need 300g sliced beef for bulgogi Napa cabbage, green onion, onion, carrot, mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, enoki) Glass noodles (dangmyeon), tofu, crown daisy or water dropwort Soy sauce, sugar, garlic, mirin, sesame oil, black pepper Dried anchovies, kelp, 1L water for broth Tip: Soak glass noodles in warm water for at least 30 minutes for the perfect chewy texture. Tear mushrooms by hand to preserve their bite. Quick Cooking Steps Mari...

  Make It Even Better with Quail Eggs & Shishito Peppers: The Perfect Braised Beef Summary This recipe delivers tender soy-braised beef known as  Jangjorim , one of Korea’s favorite side dishes. With a combination of  shishito peppers and quail eggs , the dish becomes even more flavorful. It’s easy to follow and great for meal prep throughout the week. Table of Contents Ingredients Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions Serving Suggestions Q&A Content Strategy Comparison Ingredients (Serves 2) Beef round (low-fat cut) : 400g Quail eggs : 10 Shishito peppers : 8 Garlic: 6 cloves, Onion: 1/2 medium Soy sauce: 1 cup, Sugar: 2 tbsp, Corn syrup: 2 tbsp Water: 3 cups, Rice wine: 2 tbsp, Pepper: a pinch Cooking Instructions 1. Boil the Beef Soak beef in cold water for 10 minutes to remove blood. Then boil with 4 cups of water for 20 minutes. Remove any foam while boiling. Once cooked, shred the beef along the grain after cooling slightly. Optional: Add bay leaves or whole pep...