Korean cuisine is rich, diverse, and delicious, with a long history and a variety of influences. Whether you are a fan of K-pop, K-drama, or K-beauty, you might have encountered some of the popular Korean dishes like kimchi, bibimbap, or tteokbokki. But do you know what are some of the nostalgic Korean foods that evoke memories of childhood, family, and home for many Koreans? In this blog post, we will introduce you to 10 nostalgic Korean foods that will make you drool and want to try them yourself.
1. Ganjang Gyeran Bap (Soy Sauce Egg Rice)
This is a simple but satisfying dish that consists of rice topped with a fried egg and seasoned with soy sauce. It is one of the easiest and quickest meals to make, especially when you are hungry and in a hurry. You can also add some sesame oil, green onions, or seaweed for extra flavor and nutrition. Many Koreans grew up eating this dish as a comfort food, and some still enjoy it as a late-night snack or a hangover cure.
2. Hotteok (Sweet Pancake)
Hotteok is a street food that is especially popular in winter. It is a thick pancake filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and sometimes honey or cheese. It is cooked on a griddle until the filling melts and oozes out. The crispy outside and the gooey inside make it a perfect treat to warm you up and satisfy your sweet tooth. Hotteok is often sold by vendors in carts or stalls, and you can smell its enticing aroma from afar.
3. Choco Pie
Choco pie is a snack that consists of two layers of soft cake with marshmallow cream in between, coated with chocolate. It is similar to the American moon pie, but smaller and sweeter. Choco pie is a product of Orion, a Korean confectionery company, and it has been a favorite snack for generations of Koreans since 1974. It is often given as a gift or a reward, and some people like to microwave it or freeze it before eating.
4. Jjajangmyeon (Black Bean Sauce Noodles)
Jjajangmyeon is a dish that originated from the Chinese zhajiangmian, but has been adapted to suit the Korean palate. It is made of thick wheat noodles topped with a savory sauce of black bean paste, diced pork, onions, and other vegetables. It is usually served with yellow pickled radish and cucumber slices on the side. Jjajangmyeon is a common delivery food in Korea, and it is often eaten on special occasions, such as moving day, graduation day, or Black Day (April 14th), when single people eat it to commiserate their loneliness.
5. Gyeranppang (Egg Bread)
Gyeranppang is another street food that is popular in winter. It is a bread that has a whole egg baked inside, and sometimes cheese, bacon, or corn as well. It is soft, fluffy, and filling, and it tastes best when it is hot and fresh. Gyeranppang is usually sold in small shops or trucks, and it is a cheap and convenient snack to grab and go.
6. Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
Samgyetang is a soup that is made of a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, jujube, garlic, and other herbs. It is boiled for a long time until the chicken becomes tender and the broth becomes rich and nutritious. Samgyetang is a traditional dish that is eaten on the hottest days of summer, according to the Korean belief that you should fight heat with heat. It is also a dish that is eaten to restore health and energy, especially after illness or childbirth.
7. Bungeoppang (Fish-Shaped Bread)
Bungeoppang is a fish-shaped bread that is filled with sweet red bean paste. It is made of a waffle-like batter that is poured into a fish-shaped mold and cooked on a griddle. Bungeoppang is a classic winter snack that is sold by street vendors, and it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Some modern versions of bungeoppang have different fillings, such as custard, chocolate, or cheese, and different shapes, such as hearts, stars, or animals.
8. Kimbap (Seaweed Rice Roll)
Kimbap is a dish that is similar to the Japanese sushi, but with some differences. It is made of cooked rice seasoned with sesame oil and salt, and various fillings, such as ham, cheese, egg, tuna, carrot, spinach, and pickled radish. The rice and fillings are rolled in a sheet of dried seaweed and sliced into bite-sized pieces. Kimbap is a convenient and versatile dish that can be eaten as a snack, a lunch, or a picnic food. It is also a dish that many Korean mothers make for their children when they go on a school trip or a field day.
9. Dalgona (Sugar Candy)
Dalgona is a sugar candy that is made of melted sugar and baking soda. It is a hard and brittle candy that has a honeycomb-like texture and a caramel-like flavor. Dalgona is a nostalgic candy that many Koreans remember making or buying in their childhood. It is usually made by heating sugar and a little water in a ladle over a fire, and then adding baking soda and stirring quickly. The mixture is then poured over a flat surface and pressed with a shape, such as a star or a heart. The candy is then cooled and broken into pieces.
10. Seolleongtang (Ox Bone Soup)
Seolleongtang is a soup that is made of ox bones, brisket, and other parts of beef. It is simmered for a long time, sometimes over 10 hours, until the bones release their marrow and the broth becomes milky and rich. Seolleongtang is a dish that is eaten all year round, but especially in winter, as it warms up the body and the soul. It is usually served with rice, salt, pepper, green onions, and kimchi, and the diners can season it to their own taste.
These are just some of the nostalgic Korean foods that will make you drool. There are many more dishes that are worth trying, such as tteokguk, sundae, naengmyeon, and sikhye. If you ever have a chance to visit Korea, or a Korean restaurant near you, don’t miss the opportunity to taste these delicious foods and experience the Korean culture and history through them. You won’t regret it!
