The Unsung Hero of Korean Flavor While gochujang steals the spotlight with its fiery red hue, doenjang (된장) — Korea’s fermented soybean paste — is the quiet heart of Korean cooking. Rich, earthy, salty, and deeply umami, doenjang forms the foundation of traditional Korean flavor, appearing in soups, stews, sauces, and temple meals alike. […]
No Korean kitchen is complete without a jar of gochujang (고추장) — a deep red, spicy-sweet chili paste that defines the essence of Korean cuisine. It’s the secret behind classics like bibimbap, tteokbokki, and samgyeopsal, but it’s also more than a condiment — it’s a window into Korea’s history, philosophy, and taste for balance. […]
Golden, fragrant, and beautifully chewy, Yakgwa (약과) is one of Korea’s most iconic traditional desserts. Made from wheat flour, sesame oil, and honey, this delicate cookie has graced royal tables, temple offerings, and festive family gatherings for over a thousand years. Its name literally means “medicinal sweet” — from yak (medicine) and gwa (confection) — […]
If asked to name the first Korean food which springs to mind, a response from many might be ‘kimchi’. And with good reason, too. Kimchi is eaten as a side dish at almost all Korean mealtimes, and rice, soup, and kimchi often constitute a quick but healthy meal. But how is the famous fermented cabbage […]
Kimchi (김치) is a vegetable dish fermented with seasonings, agricultural products, meat, fish, and seafood, sometimes including wild herbs. Its variations are served not only in daily meals but also at weddings, holidays, birthdays, ancestral rites, and national events. While ingredients and methods differ by climate, family preference, and local traditions, kimchi making is a […]
Gaeseong Juak: a Crispy Delight of Korean History An Ancient Tradition Gaeseong Juak (개성주악) is a traditional Korean dessert with roots dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Originating from the historic capital city of Gaeseong (개성), now located in North Korea, the Juak was historically associated with the royal court and aristocratic families, […]
