Seasonal Korean cooking
Baechu Mandu: Dumplings Without Dumpling Dough That You’ll Love Koreans love dumplings—whether they’re steamed, boiled, pan-fried, or served in a comforting bowl of soup. While 만두 mandu (Korean dumplings) often come wrapped in wheat flour skins, there’s a lesser-known but equally delicious variety: baechu mandu (배추만두), dumplings wrapped in napa cabbage leaves. The star of […]
![Kale Doenjang-guk (Soybean paste soup with kale) ｜케일 된장국 [Vegetarian]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Snapshot-31-01-2025-14_44-1.png?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Kale Doenjang-guk (Soybean paste soup with kale) ｜케일 된장국 [Vegetarian]")
How I Got to Love Kale: Kale Doenjang-guk Cold days call for hearty, comforting soups. And with kale in season, there’s no better time to make Kale Doenjang-guk (케일 된장국), a Korean soybean paste soup that’s nourishing, simple, and full of deep, rich flavors. Give it a try! A Kale Revelation I didn’t always love […]
![Tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup) ｜떡국 [vegan/vegetarian friendly]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Snapshot-28-01-2025-11_35-3-e1738061389328.png?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup) ｜떡국 [vegan/vegetarian friendly]")
Tteokguk, My Family Style: A Hug in a Bowl to Start the Year Happy Seollal (Korean New Year’s Day)! If you’ve ever celebrated the Korean New Year, chances are you’ve had a warm, comforting bowl of Tteokguk. This traditional soup is made with chewy rice cakes swimming in a delicate broth, topped with colorful garnishes […]
Did you know? Seoul is a treasure box for plant-forward dining. So many restaurants and cafes celebrate fresh, seasonal ingredients and creative veggie dishes! Given Korean cuisine’s long history with plant-based cooking, it’s no surprise these places feel so authentic and inspiring. As a chef who loves sharing Korean food culture, I think these restaurants […]
![Fluffy & juicy Zucchini Fritters (aehobak-jeon) ｜애호박전 [vegetarian, vegan friendly]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/%EA%BE%B8%EB%AF%B8%EA%B8%B0Snapshot-25-07-2024-11_01-2.jpg?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Fluffy & juicy Zucchini Fritters (aehobak-jeon) ｜애호박전 [vegetarian, vegan friendly]")
It’s the peak season of zucchinis. That means they taste the best and very cheap too 🙂 So during these summer months, I try to fill the table with different zucchini dishes. Aehobak-jeon, Korean zucchini fritters 애호박전 Aehobak-jeon, a.k.a. Korean zucchini fritters, is Koreans’ go-to fritter to make in summer. It’s very easy and simple […]
![Bibim guksu (spicy cold noodles) ｜비빔국수 [vegan friendly]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Snapshot-20-07-2024-21_02-1.png?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Bibim guksu (spicy cold noodles) ｜비빔국수 [vegan friendly]")
This is yet another Korean summer recipe for the heatwave🌞 Bibim guksu (spicy cold noodles) is Koreans’ go-to dish in summer. It’s bouncy thin noodles mixed in spicy, sweet and tangy sauce! It’s a light but feel good meal since it’s loaded with summer vegetables. If you’re looking for other amazing ways to use your […]
![Ssam & Gang-doenjang (Vegetable rice wraps with thickened soybean paste stew) ｜쌈밥과 강된장 [vegan]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/%EA%BE%B8%EB%AF%B8%EA%B8%B0Snapshot-19-07-2024-14_49-4.jpg?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Ssam & Gang-doenjang (Vegetable rice wraps with thickened soybean paste stew) ｜쌈밥과 강된장 [vegan]")
Hey guys, we’re sharing another great Korean summer recipe🌞 In summer, I love eating leafy greens and I think the best way to enjoy them is to make “ssam”, a.k.a., vegetable rice wraps! Although we use ssamjang 쌈장 (red chili and soybean paste) very often for the sauce, there are many more ways to make […]
![Gochujang saengchae (Korean salad with gochujang dressing) ｜고추장 생채 [vegan]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/%EA%BE%B8%EB%AF%B8%EA%B8%B0Snapshot-17-07-2024-09_24-6.jpg?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Gochujang saengchae (Korean salad with gochujang dressing) ｜고추장 생채 [vegan]")
This Korean salad with sweet & spicy gochujang dressing is one of my staple banchan (side dish) on my lunch/dinner table. This salad especially goes well with seafood (mussels, shrimp, squid, etc.) because of its brightness but of course, you can also have it with meat or tofu/tempeh too! What is gochujang? Gochujang is Korean […]
![5-minute Kong-guksu (Korean soy milk noodle soup) with edamame｜ 콩국수, 풋콩국수 [vegan friendly]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/%ED%81%AC%EA%B8%B0%EB%B3%80%ED%99%98Snapshot-16-07-2024-09_22.png?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "5-minute Kong-guksu (Korean soy milk noodle soup) with edamame｜ 콩국수, 풋콩국수 [vegan friendly]")
Kong-guksu, Korean soy milk noodle soup, is one of most popular Korean summer dishes.It’s creamy, nutty and so healthy too! This is the simplest (and the most delicious!) Kong-guksu recipe on this planet using edamame 🙂 And it will really blow your mind! My grandma always makes us this in late summer, when her garden […]
![Jjajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles) ｜짜장면 [vegan friendly]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/%EA%BE%B8%EB%AF%B8%EA%B8%B0Snapshot-11-07-2024-14_09-2-e1720778072148.jpg?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Jjajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles) ｜짜장면 [vegan friendly]")
Jjajangmyeon 짜장면 is everyone’s favorite and is THE popular dish nowadays! Today, I’m introducing a vegan-friendly version that everyone can enjoy, using seitan (soybean protein). Jjajangmyeon, with its Korean Chinese roots, has long been a comfort food for Koreans, although we don’t usually make it at home. Because It’s actually one of the first foods […]