La Mirada, California
- Korean Food search results
Korean Food Terminology
To best enjoy Korean cuisine, it can be helpful to first familiarize yourself with some basic Korean culinary and food terminology. Whether visiting a restaurant or ordering delivery, here are some helpful terms and definitions to enjoy from a Korean-style restaurant.
Kimchi - Korean Kimchi is one of the more popular dishes within Asian cuisine. Kimchi is a serving of vegetables, most traditionally cabbage. Recipes for kimchi call for pickling, salt, chili peppers, spices, and garlic. Kimchi recipes may even include fish.
Dubu - Dubu is another common dish found in Korean recipes and menus. It is bean curd made from soybean milk, and has a soft texture and consistency. Many are familiar with dubu, but refer to it as tofu. In Asian countries, tofu is sometimes eaten raw and has the consistency of pudding.
Bulgogi- This is an authentic Korean food that is typically made of marinated and barbecued, or grilled, beef. Bulgogi can be served over noodles or even eaten from a stick. It is a favorite of many diners.
Soju - Soju is a Korean alcoholic beverage that is native to the country. It is often compared to vodka, but has a sweeter taste due to a higher concentration of sugars. Soju is eaten with meals in small quantities, so it's available in Korean restaurants, but not typically for delivery.
Gimbap - This is the term used to describe Korean sushi. Korean sushi is different from other Asian sushi because of the seasonings used. Gimbap, or kimbap, is also often made with seasoned meats and doesn't usually include any type of raw fish.
When you’re in the mood for something to eat that’s not the same old, same old, you may choose to go with Korean food. This type of food includes traditional cuisine from Korea, and usually consists of rice, fish, meat, noodles, and vegetables. Dishes may include dak-gui, kimchi, sju, and bulgogi. Beef or chicken stir-fry and dumplings are two popular dishes hailing from Korea. The Korean liquor soju is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the entire country.
Korean food is categorized under Asian food, and is similar to Chinese and Japanese cuisine in that it incorporates lots of veggies, rice, noodles, and grilled meats. Soups, stews, seafoods, and sauces are all mainstays of Korean food. Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish, a spicy combination of fermented vegetables, salt, red pepper, and garlic. Pair it with rice and sauce, and you’ve got yourself a good basis for an authentic Korean meal.
Korean barbecue, or gogi gui, is one popular way of grilling meats in the Korean culture. BBQ is a big part of the menu and involves a process of preparing the food at the table on gas or charcoal grills.
You have some choices available to you when considering Korean food. You can head to your local grocery store to pick up the necessary items to cook on your own, or even a specialty Korean food market. Online sites abound where you can find recipes to cook your own dish. You can get take-out from a nearby fast food joint or head to a Korean restaurant and sit down to enjoy a traditional meal. Sip a bubbly Korean beer, while enjoying some kimchi, BBQ, stew, or a vegetable dish.