Seasonal Korean cooking with Taeyeon
![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 […]
There’s nothing like summer in Korea when the markets are filled with vibrant green squash known as aehobak (애호박). And when zucchini (or Korean squash) is at its peak, which are sweet, tender, and budget-friendly – it’s time to bring out one of Korea’s favorite summer dishes: Aehobak-jeon, or Korean zucchini fritters. These fritters are […]
Bibim Guksu (Spicy Korean Cold Noodles) for Summer Heat ️ When the heatwave rolls in, Koreans reach for one of the most beloved summer dishes: Bibim Guksu. These spicy, sweet, and tangy cold noodles are not only refreshing, they’re incredibly easy to make! If you’ve got gochujang in your pantry, this is the perfect recipe […]
In peak summer, Korean rice tables fill with vibrant greens that cool and nourish the body. One of the most beloved ways to enjoy the season? It’s Ssam (쌈), or Korean vegetable rice wraps, paired with a rich, umami-packed gang-doenjang (강된장), a thickened soybean paste stew. This dish is a quintessential part of Korean home […]
![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]")
Craving something quick, bold, and fresh? This gochujang saengchae (고추장 생채) is one of my favorite ways to bring Korean flavor to the table. With a simple spicy-sweet gochujang dressing, it turns everyday vegetables and herbs into a vibrant salad that’s perfect with rice and your favorite protein. It’s especially good with grilled seafood, tofu, […]
![5-Minute Kong-guksu with Edamame (콩국수, 풋콩국수) | Korean Soy Milk Noodle Soup [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 with Edamame (콩국수, 풋콩국수) | Korean Soy Milk Noodle Soup [Vegan-Friendly]")
When summer hits its peak and the heat is inescapable, many Koreans turn to one of the most refreshing meals imaginable: Kong-guksu (콩국수), or chilled soy milk noodle soup. This dish is creamy, cooling, and deeply satisfying. And yes, it’s traditionally vegan too! In this simplified version, we make Kong-guksu with putkong (풋콩), also known […]
Hearty, saucy, and full of nostalgia – Jjajangmyeon (짜장면) is one of Korea’s most beloved comfort foods! Though it originally came from Korean Chinese cuisine, it has become an integral part of Korean culinary culture. In this post, I’m sharing a easy, vegan-friendly version of Jjajangmyeon that’s rich, savory, and satisfying with chewy noodles, deeply […]
This winter, I had an amazing opportunity to join Venerable Jeong Kwan (a renowned Buddhist practitioner and a Korean temple food master on Netflix 「Chef’s Table」) on a study trip to discover fermented foods and food culture in Japan. The highlight of the trip was when we went to Gujo in Gifu prefecture, where we […]
![Citrusy & Nutty Endive muchim (salad with Yuja (yuzu) & Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) [vegan]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/%EA%BE%B8%EB%AF%B8%EA%B8%B0Snapshot-10-07-2024-16_18-2-e1720622399628.jpg?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Citrusy & Nutty Endive muchim (salad with Yuja (yuzu) & Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) [vegan]")
I’ve always loved juicy and crisp endives, also for its slight bitterness that follows after sweetness. Now that I live in The Netherlands, where I can get a bag of 4 endives for only around 2 euros, I’m looking for different ways to bring it onto my table 🙂 Although I do love to make […]