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These are my essential Korean pantry items that a majority of Korean dishes can be prepared with including a link to my preferred brand(s) for those items. Korean cuisine’s depth and complexity comes from the artful combination of these fundamental pantry ingredients. These core items …
Korean Bracken Fern Banchan, Gosari-namul 고사리나물, is a delightfully simple and meaty banchan that is flavorful and has the texture almost of meat. This is one of my personal favorites and is super simple to prepare, especially if you use the water packaged fernbrake. The …
Korean Spicy Soft Tofu Stew, Sundubu-jjigae 순두부찌개, is an earthy, spicy, and down-home feeling stew that warms you up from the inside. I use a bone broth as the base, but there are several variations that can use a beef or seafood broth. At the …
Banchan (반찬) In recent years in my travels and restaurant experiences, I’ve seen a rise in (x) Tapas, with (x) being Spanish, Mexican, Italian, and even Ethiopian. Around the world, there are many similar styles small-dish foods in the name of Pupus, Hors d’oeuvres, Izakaya, …
Kimchi Stew, Kimchi Jjigae 김치찌개, the true 101 of stews made from the iconic kimchi, usually well-fermented kimchi making the best stews. This is the chicken noodle soup of Korea. As ubiquitous as rice in nearly every region.
Korean Braised Beef Banchan, Jangjorim 장조림, is a soy sauce braised banchan that can also include other vegetables such as garlic, peppers, onions, and more. It is like a cross between a braise and hot pickling but using a soy sauce based ‘brine’.
Korean Soybean Sprout Banchan, Kongnamul-muchim 콩나물무침, is another one of the typical and most common Korean banchan, and it is usually included in almost every meal. It is a very simple dish to prepare with minimal ingredients and steps to make.
Korean Steamed Soft Tofu Banchan, Soondubu Jjim 순두부찜, presents a warm, soft, tofu in a spicy salty sauce that end up creating a broth from the residual tofu broth. This banchan dish is best served during the winter where a warm and spicy side dish …
Korean Braised Baby Potatoes Banchan, Algamja-jorim 알감자조림, is a banchan made of baby potatoes braised in a sweet soy reduction. Once these potatoes are braised down to a gooey sweet and salty consistency, they are difficult to not finish in one sitting. The magic of …
Korean Spinach Banchan, Sigeumchi-namul 시금치나물, is like banchan 101. It is a deliciously balanced mix of greens, garlic, soy, sesame, and green onion. The seasoning mix can be applied to nearly any green and have the same delicious results. The key to this and most …
