Upcoming KDramas - February Edition
Favorite Kdrama Food Recipes
Want to eat what you just saw in your favorite drama? We all do! I can't tell you how many times I've watched a drama and make ramen noodles, started the rice cooker, or grabbed kimchi out of the fridge to make stew. I realized, very early on in my drama addiction, that I was going to learn how to cook Korean food.
So, to help you along your path of eating the wonderful things we all see in these dramas, I've posted links below to recipes I use (on my blog) for some of the most common foods. The first step to feed these cravings is to find a local Korean or Asian market. They are all over the place, and I guarantee you there is one within 30 miles of you. I found a huge market within an hour’s drive and make one trip a month to stock my fridge and pantry. While I could buy a good many things there already prepared and waiting for the microwave, I find much more pleasure in making these dishes from scratch and learning how to cook Korean foods. Secondly... go buy LOTS of tupperware now! You're going to need them.
1. Kimchi
Also known as the ketchup of Korea. This is eaten with practically every meal and is a very large part of Korean culture. While it can be a bit time consuming to make (and smelly!), nothing tastes better than homemade kimchi. This recipe is simple and can give you many months worth of kimchi in one go!
2. Red Bean BBang (Danpatppang)
If you have watched Sweet Buns (2004) or Baker King Kim Tak Goo (2010), you've probably gotten a craving for a anything closely resembling these. I ended up cooking till 3am one morning making buns and still wasn't satisfied! These aren't difficult to make from 100% scratch, but you can buy the paste if you'd like to cut down prep time.
3. Black Bean noodles (Jjajangmyeon)
I didn't understand why everyone had to have these, even in the new drama Heirs (2013), until I made them. This dish is like the comfort food of Korea. Once you've tried them, you'll have them again and again and make extra to take with you for lunch!
4. Udon noodles
Why are entire shops dedicated to udon noodles? You'll figure that out very quickly why dramaland keeps this originally Japanese dish around. These noodles are fat, have a great taste in many different broths, and are super filling.
5. Kimbap
Even the high school kids make this for their love's lunch. It's probably one of the first thing girls learn how to make. Easy, tasty, low cal, and usually vegetarian.
6. Seaweed Soup (Miyuk gook)
Yup, had to make this on my birthday! First drama I ever saw, Full House, I was fascinated by this soup. Now I make it a few times a month and it's super quick and easy.
7. Hangover soup (Haejangguk)
Since you are all dramaholics like I am, I'm sure you've had your fair share of Soju too. Though I doubted the usefulness of this soup, I was wrong. It does work wonders on the belly, tastes great, and has been eaten without drinking the night before on many occasions in my house.
8. Spicy Rice Cakes (ddeokbokki)
This will likely be the most difficult item to make, so give it a few tries if it doesn't turn out just right. However, once it does, this dish is AMAZING. It's very easy to understand how this is a favorite of so many in dramaland.
9. Traditional Ramen Noodles
Not your packaged style, that's for sure! Though you see them make packaged ramen all the time, Flower Boy Ramen Shop (2012) lit a fire under my burner to make this the right way. BOY was I glad I did! I've tried several different broth recipes, and you can find them online, but this is a classic recipe with egg, chives, etc.
Ok, now it's time to go shopping, then cooking, and be sure to post comments on how yours turned out! Would love to hear feedback on what you thought of each dish. My very American family has truly loved adding these dishes to our weekly menu.
