13 Easy Korean Dishes to Make at Home

From Appetizers to Entrees

Written by
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
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Cathy Jacobs
Updated 09/22/20
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For those new to Korean cooking, meals can seem intimidating at first because there are so many components, from the soups and the stews to the banchan (side dishes) that need advance preparation. But there are many easy Korean recipes that are simple to make and are delicious as dinner, so don't think each of your Korean meals needs hours of preparation. 

You don't need 10 side dishes to complete your Korean meal like you might in a restaurant and most people don't regularly dine restaurant-style with a table covered in food. With ​the main dish and a couple of side dishes, you'll still impress any Korean foodie.

  • 01 of 13

    Kimchi Bokumbap (Kimchi Fried Rice)

    Kimchi fried rice recipe

    The Spruce

    Making fried rice is a great way to use leftover kimchi that's a bit past its prime, as well as leftover rice. It's an easy to customize dish. You can include Canadian bacon or thinly sliced beef, pork, ham, even Spam—or use tofu for a vegetarian protein.

  • 02 of 13

    Saeng Sun Jun (Korean Pan-Fried Fish)

    Korean fried dish
    unimode / Getty Images

    Korean pan-fried fish a simple recipe for your main dish that's very traditional. The best option is a fresh fish with delicate white flesh. Enjoy it with a spicy dipping sauce or just soy sauce.

  • 03 of 13

    Tong Dak (Korean BBQ Chicken Wings)

    Korean BBQ Chicken Wings

    The Spruce

    These Korean oven-roasted barbecue chicken wings work well as a drinking snack (anju), appetizer, main dish, or part of a picnic. You won't be able to eat just one.

  • 04 of 13

    Bossam (Korean Pork Belly)

    korean pork belly lettuce wraps with pickled radish and sweet rice and savory sauce

    Pete Scherer 

    These deeply savory Korean pork belly lettuce wraps walk a fine line between a light meal and an indulgent feast. Serve them family-style so diners can assemble their own wraps according to their tastes.

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  • 05 of 13

    Instant Pot Korean Beef

    instant pot korean beef in a serving dish with rice
    Diana Rattray

    Perhaps not a classic Korean preparation, but this Instant Pot recipe has all of the flavors of the classic beef dish, including gochujang. Bee—along with garlic, green onions, soy sauce, and brown sugar—cooks for just 25 minutes pressure cooker until rich and flavorful.

  • 06 of 13

    Bulgogi Chicken

    charcoal grilled bulgogi marinated chicken with sliced scallions, kim chi, sesame seeds and lettuce

    Pete Scherer 

    While it's admittedly not quite as easy as ordering takeout barbecue from the Korean restaurant, this backyard replica bulgogi chicken makes a convincing stand-in without too much effort. Serve it with rice, kimchi, and your favorite Korean condiments.

  • 07 of 13

    Kimchi Jjigae (Spicy Kimchi Stew)

    Spicy kimchi stew

    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

    This popular Korean stew can be whipped up in just 35 minutes. It's another great use for older kimchi as that will lend more rich flavor. There is a lot of room for variation in this dish. You can use beef, pork, or canned tuna, and vegetables including potatoes, zucchini, and mushrooms. It can be a go-to meal to clean out the refrigerator.

  • 08 of 13

    Bugo Gook (Dried Pollack Soup)

    Dried pollack soup
    Topic Images Inc. / Getty Images

    Dried pollack soup is known as a hangover remedy in Korea, or you can use it when you have a cold. You can buy dried pollack at an Asian or Korean market very inexpensively and in 20 minutes you have a pot of soup.

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  • 09 of 13

    Pa Jun (Korean Pancake With Scallions)

    Scallion pancakes with soy sauce
    The Spruce

    When you want a quick and cheap appetizer or side dish, a pa jun is easy and always a big crowd-pleaser. You can serve it with a dipping sauce or soy sauce.

  • 10 of 13

    Sigumchi Namul (Korean Seasoned Spinach)

    Korean spinach
    SUNGSU HAN / Getty Images

    You only need 15 minutes to make this side dish of seasoned spinach. It can also be used as part of other well-known main dishes in Korea such as japchae (stir-fried noodles), kimbap (rice and seaweed rolls), and bibimbap (rice with mixed vegetables).

  • 11 of 13

    Korean Bean Sprout Salad (Sookju Namul)

    Korean bean sprouts salad
    Johnnieshin / Getty Images

    This is one of the most popular side dishes in Korea and it takes only 10 minutes to make. You can serve bean sprout salad with bibimbap or alongside the popular Daikon radish and carrot salad. 

  • 12 of 13

    Korean Pickled Cucumber

    Korean side dish, pickled cucumber
    GEOLEE / Getty Images

    This quick cucumber pickle recipe is ready in just 20 minutes. The sweet and salty flavor makes it the perfect side dish.

    Continue to 13 of 13 below.
  • 13 of 13

    Korean Rolled Egg Omelette (Gaeran Mari)

    Korean style omelet
    PARKJUNGHO / Getty Images

    You only need 10 minutes to make this beautiful dish. You could enjoy the rolled egg omelette for breakfast, as part of a bento lunch, or for dinner. You can vary the vegetables and even add some ham or other meat.