Seasonal Korean cooking with Taeyeon
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
When you ask “Do you like Tteokbokki?” to Koreans, 99% of them will say “당연하지 Dangyeonhaji (of course)!” I haven’t met any Koreans (especially around my age) that dislikes Tteokbokki. I think that’s because we literally grew up eating them. I always say “Tteokbokki is Koreans’ childhood memories and comfort food in one plate.” And […]
Looking for a quick and colorful Korean meal you can whip up on a weeknight? This easy Bibimbap recipe is ready in about 15 minutes and packed with flavor, texture, and nutrition. Bibimbap (비빔밥) literally means “mixed rice” and it’s as flexible as it is fun. You don’t need a stone pot or specialty ingredients […]
This classic Korean soy dressing is so versatile that you can easily pair it with any veggies. When making a salad, I always think of 3 components: 1. Base : leafy veggies that are quite neutral in taste but gives nice crunchiness. Typically some kind of lettuce like romaine, iceberg, oakleaf or butterhead 2. Herbs […]
Ever wondered what to do with that romaine lettuce sitting in your fridge? In Korean home kitchens, sangchu-namul (상추나물) is a lesser-known but beloved side dish where crisp lettuce is gently blanched, then dressed in a savory, nutty, and slightly sweet seasoning. This humble dish has roots in Korean Buddhist temple cuisine and everyday home […]