Seasonal Korean cooking with Taeyeon
What Kimjang Really Means When people think of Korean food, kimchi is often the first thing that comes to mind.But behind kimchi lies one of Korea’s most significant culinary traditions: Kimjang (김장). Kimjang is the tradition of preparing kimchi for winter, using the best seasonal ingredients of the year. Before modern agriculture and refrigeration, winters […]
![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 […]
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 […]
![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 […]
![Classic Tteokbokki (Spicy rice cake stew) ｜떡볶이 [vegetarian with vegan option]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/%EA%BE%B8%EB%AF%B8%EA%B8%B0Snapshot-25-06-2024-14_59-1.jpg?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Classic Tteokbokki (Spicy rice cake stew) ｜떡볶이 [vegetarian with vegan option]")
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 […]
![Saengchae (Korean salad with soy dressing) ｜ 생채 [vegan]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Snapshot-20-06-2024-17_21.png?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Saengchae (Korean salad with soy dressing) ｜ 생채 [vegan]")
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 […]
Japchae (잡채) is a dish that brings everyone to the table! These stir-fried glass noodles with colorful veggies and a sweet-savory sauce are a must-have for Korean celebrations. If you’ve had Japchae before, you know why it’s such a crowd favorite! The only catch? Traditional Japchae requires cooking each ingredient separately—blanching, stir-frying, seasoning… It’s a […]
Quinoa Rice: A Nutritious and Easy Upgrade to Your Korean Meals The basic staple of Korean cuisine: “밥 (Bap)”, a.k.a cooked/steamed short-grain rice. Cooking short-grain rice can be more tricky than long-grain rice. But let me show you the easy & simple ways to cook it perfectly! Looking for a simple way to add more […]
![Tomato Kimchi ｜토마토 김치[vegetarian/vegan option]](https://i0.wp.com/123kimchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/KakaoTalk_20200108_162223258.jpg?resize=360%2C540&ssl=1 "Tomato Kimchi ｜토마토 김치[vegetarian/vegan option]")
Have you heard of Tomato Kimchi(토마토김치)? These sun-kissed tomatoes are stuffed with crunchy radish stuffing tossed with umami-filled kimchi dressing. The dressing brings out the ingredients’ own natural taste to the most, bursting with flavors! And what’s more, it’s 100% naturally vegetarian-friendly! Kimchi, one of the representative dish in Korea, usually refers to seasoned & […]