Seasonal Korean cooking with Taeyeon
Leek Manongji (pronounced mah-nong-jee) is how this dish is called in the Jeju dialect. While jangajji refers more broadly to Korean soy sauce pickles, this version is specific to Jeju Island’s spring traditions where young garlic stalks are brined in sweet and sour soy brine. There’s a quiet joy in spring vegetables and for me, […]
When the temperature drops, there’s one dish I always turn to: Hobak-juk (호박죽), a warm, velvety Korean pumpkin porridge that’s smooth, slightly sweet, and so comforting. Traditionally made with bigger pumpkin or kabocha squash, this version uses butternut squash, which is just as delicious and easier to find in many places. Plus, I’m adding a […]
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 […]
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, 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]