By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned foodie looking to shake up your routine, these Korean food hacks will have your taste buds doing the Gangnam-style happy dance.
Kimchi: The Fermented Flavour Fix:
Kick things off with kimchi! This fermented cabbage packs a punch of umami, spice and probiotics - a triple threat for flavour, versatility and gut health. Here’s the hack: don’t just eat it as a side dish.
Finely chop some kimchi and stir it into scrambled eggs for an instant breakfast upgrade, or mix it into your fried rice for a tangy, spicy kick. Bonus: kimchi juice makes a fantastic marinade for chicken or tofu, adding zing without the fuss.
Gochujang Game-changer:
Swap sweet chilli for something with a little more spice by adding a dash of vibrant gochujang to your next meal. Korea’s beloved fermented chilli paste is sweet, spicy and packed with depth, so a little goes a long way.
Try stirring a spoonful into your salad dressings, mix it with mayo for a fiery sandwich spread, or drizzle it over roasted veggies for instant K-Town cred.
Pro tip: mix gochujang with honey and soy sauce for a quick glaze that’ll turn boring chicken into finger-licking goodness.
Soy and Spice and All Things Rice:
Meals in the Land of the Morning Calm may revolve around rice. However, there’s no reason why you can’t take your cue from the Koreans and give your grain game a glow-up. Add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds to your cooked rice for an aromatic twist.
For the full experience, stir in some chopped scallions and a dollop of ssamjang (a spicy soybean paste) and elevate your side dish to superstar status.
Salad Sass: Korean Crunch and Kick:
Skip your simple salads! Korean-style bowls come alive with tangy dressings and crunchy textures. To DIY at home, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, a bit of sugar, minced garlic and soy sauce for a zesty dressing.
Toss it with fresh cucumber ribbons, shredded carrots and toasted sesame seeds. Add some grilled chicken or tofu for protein and you’ve got a vibrant, Seoul-ful salad that’s anything but ordinary.
Seoul-inspired Sandwich Secrets:
Korean-inspired sandwiches are taking over Instagram for good reason. Try adding quick-pickled cucumbers (sliced thin and tossed with rice vinegar and sugar) and a smear of gochujang mayo to your usual ham or chicken sandwich.
Perhaps, swap mayo entirely for a blend of ssamjang and mayo to bring a smoky, spicy twist. Add a handful of fresh herbs or crunchy slaw and suddenly, your lunchtime sambo game is Seoul strong.
Korean BBQ Sauce…Anything but Basic:
Swap out your supermarket variety and whip up your own easy Korean-inspired marinade magic by bottling your own BBQ sauce made with a mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated pear (or apple), sesame oil and a pinch of black pepper.
Use it to marinate beef, chicken or mushrooms before grilling or pan-frying. The result is juicy, caramelised bites that taste like you spent hours in a Korean BBQ joint.
