Korean Spices: Get to Know the Flavors of Asian Cuisine and Spice Up Your Dishes

Have you heard of names like Gochujang, Kimchi and Doenjang? They may be hard to pronounce, but they are a treat to the taste. Yes, we are talking about some ingredients that are part of South Korean cuisine.

Many people find that Korean dishes are very spicy. However, it is important to say that not all recipes carry pepper. There is a wide range of different seasonings, tasty and beyond aromatic. They are responsible for leaving each preparation with a unique touch.

If you have never had a chance to taste the taste of Korean cuisine, this post is your gateway. What are the main spices and even some recipes that can be easily made at home? even in Brazil. Ready to add an Asian taste to your lunch?

Gochujang (Korean Pepper Paste)

With ketchup-like appearance, Gochujang is one of Korea's main culinary seasonings. It is a pepper paste used as a side dish and as an ingredient in different recipes. Gochujang can be purchased on the go and at various levels of spice. Its formula usually includes red pepper, fermented soy, glutinous rice and salt. In Brazil it is possible to find Gochujang ready on Korean products website or eastern neighborhoods like Liberdade (SP).

Method of preparation: It was tradition that Gochujang was prepared at home. However, because of the level of difficulty, this rarely occurs today. The base of the pepper paste consists of fermented soy and the process (which lasts several months!) Involves cooking the soy for several hours, letting it dry and exposing it to the sun.

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Recipes with Gochujang

1. Dakgalbi (Chicken Rib in Sauce): This is one of the most famous dishes in Korea. Is it made with chicken, onions, carrots, cabbage, garlic, chives and a number of spices? among them the gochujangm, of course. The recipe is usually prepared with chicken ribs, but it is worth using brisket or the pieces you prefer.
2. Tukbeguibibimbap (mixed rice): Usually the recipe is prepared in a stone pot, but this version is in a ceramic pot. It consists of a combination of rice with meat and vegetables. The rice is lightly roasted in the sesame oil, becoming crispy. The result is a complete dish, full of flavor and textures!
3. Gochujang Noodles: Do you know the traditional spaghetti with tomato sauce? Here, the differential is precisely the use of Gochujang. Half a tablespoon of the pepper paste is enough. The sauce is very thick, with pieces of tomato and onion, and is still seasoned with parsley and basil.

Gochugaru (Korean Pepper Powder)

Gochu's translation is red pepper, while Garu is powder in Korean. That is, Gochugary consists of dehydrated and dried chili. It can be purchased in the form of flakes or fine powder. Seasoning should be refrigerated in tightly closed glass containers. This ingredient is present in many of Korea's recipes and is essential in the spiciest dishes.

Where to find: Gochugaru is sold ready, in powder, flake or granulated versions. This famous Korean pepper can be found in establishments specializing in oriental cuisine. There are also different websites that market the products, such as Asia Shop, Konbine, and Ebay itself.

Recipes with Gochugaru

1. Sundubu (Tofu Stew): Especially eaten on cold days, Sundubu is a spicy soy cheese stew. The secret is the use of seafood to make the broth taste better. Tip: Gochugaru often burns easily, so it is important to control the fire when cooking.
2. Golbaengyimuchim (Seasoned Sea Snail): The ingredient you may find most difficult to find is the sea snail, available from Korean specialty stores and grocery stores. It is sold canned. The snail is seasoned with a range of peppers, both powdered and paste, plus vinegar, garlic and corn syrup.
3. Hi Mutchim (Spicy Cucumber Salad): This recipe is very simple to prepare and is usually served as a side dish. Ingredients include sliced ​​cucumbers, onions, chopped garlic, peppers (paste and powder), salt, corn glucose, sesame seeds and white vinegar. Makes a small but delicious portion!

Kimchi

Kimchi is not really a spice, but a very traditional delicacy in Asian countries. It consists basically of fermented cabbage and seasoned with pepper and spices. It can be considered the staple food of Korean cuisine because it is an ingredient in other recipes and can also be consumed alone, being accompanied by different meals.Consuming Kimchi and rice in Korea is more or less like eating beans and rice in Brazil.

Method of preparation: There are many versions and ways to do Kimchi. Although it is much simpler to buy ready, many Korean families still maintain the habit of preparing it at home. The main ingredients are cabbage, salt, water, garlic, ginger, chives, pepper and sugar. The recipe should be kept out of the fridge overnight and then kept refrigerated. Learn here!

Recipes with Kimchi

1. Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Soup): They say this is the soup most consumed by Koreans. It is served in many of the country's restaurants! Spicy and slightly sweet, the soup is made with Kimchi, anchovies, pork, pork fat, spices and tofu. The broth carries anchovies, turnip, chives and dashima, a kelp.
2. Dubu Kimchi (Soy Cheese with Kimchi): This dish consists of fried tofu and kimchi. It is served especially in happy hours, accompanying alcoholic beverages. Kimchi should be fried with pork and seasoned with soy sauce, sake, honey and black pepper.
3. Kimchijeon (Kimchi Pancake and Pork): Another option to serve as a snack or side dish, this salty pancake is very easy to make. It consists of thin slices of Kimchi and pieces of pork. The ingredient list also includes white flour, water and salt.

Doenjang (Fermented Soybean Paste)

Used for seasoning vegetables, for an extra taste in snacks or as an ingredient in soups and stews, Doenjang is a fermented soy paste. Like other Korean spices, can it be found ready-made easily? but they say that homemade paste is much more special. Doenjang has a milder flavor than miso, the soy paste from Japan. It consists of a spice rich in vitamins and minerals. That is, tasty and healthy!

Read also: 12 ways to prepare rice you probably never tried

Method of preparation: The first step is to wash, knead and shape the soy beans. Then is there a whole natural fermentation process? soybeans should dry in the shade, for example. Then the mixture should be fermented in salt water. In the end, the solid components are separated. This video shows the full preparation.

Recipes with Doenjang

1. Doenjang Jjigae (Doenjang Soup): Very traditional, this soup carries shiitake mushrooms, zucchini, tofu, onion, potato, garlic, pepper, salt, gotchugaru (optional) and 2 to 3 full spoons of Doenjang. One trick is to use three glasses of rice water instead of pure water.
2. Yangnyeomdwejigoguikimbap (Korean Sushi): Korean version of sushi, this dish is a roll of rice and seaweed with various ingredients such as egg and meat. Pickled turnip (danmudji) is an essential ingredient. Rice is prepared with sesame oil, sugar and vinegar. Doenjang paste is used to season meat.
3. Bossam (Chard Pork): This recipe is originally made with pork belly, but it is possible to use another cut, such as loin. Is the meat cooked about 45 minutes in a seasoning and vegetable broth? where Doenjang comes in. It is then finely chopped and served with lettuce leaves.

Shoyu (Soy Sauce)

Korean cuisine is not limited to spices with no pepper. The soy sauce, prepared with soy, sea salt, water and toasted cereal, is a traditional sauce in Asian countries and very present in recipes. Unlike Brazil, where shoyu is used primarily for dipping sushi or making yakissoba, in Korea it is part of many dishes, contributing to a salty taste and helping to highlight the taste of food.

Where to find: Several Brazilian brands already sell their own soy sauces. You can find small vials, options over one liter and even shoyu light with less salt. In some fairs and health food stores there is also organic shoyu, made without any chemical additives.

Recipes with Shoyu

1. Bulgogi (Korean style meat): This dish is great for those who are going to try Korean cuisine for the first time, as it does not contain any pepper. The ingredient list includes beef, vegetables and a sauce made with soy sauce, honey, sake, garlic and sesame oil.
2. Tteokbokki (Braised Spicy Rice Noodles): tteok (rice batter) + bokki (braised) is one of Korea's most popular dishes. The recipe is quite easy if it is prepared. The sauce and sauté take several different seasonings, such as pepper paste, seaweed (dashima), shoyu and eomuk (fish balls).
3. Korean hamburger: This hamburger is unlike any you have ever tried! Although the meat has a preparation similar to Brazilian, the special touch is the bittersweet sauce made with butter, onion, ketchup, soy sauce, sugar, water and vinegar.

Sesame oil

Responsible for a unique flavor, is sesame oil (Chamgireum: ???) widely used in Korean dishes? and Asian countries in general. Different types are available in the markets: golden oil, brown oil, light yellow? In Korean dishes roasted oil is one of the main ones. The oil is extracted from the sesame seeds, which are pressed. In addition to being used as a common oil to saute food, it is also an ingredient for sauces.

Where to find: Sesame oil is easy to find in both large supermarkets and Oriental food stores. There are from 100ml bottles to 5 liter bottles of oil.

Read also: 10 things every sushi lover has ever lived

Sesame Oil Recipes

1. Samgyeopsal Kenipssam (Sesame Leaf Pork Belly): The presentation of this dish is the strong point, with the pieces of baton arranged on top of rice-filled sesame leaves. Rice is prepared with salt, sesame oil and toasted sesame.
2. Curried Rice: This recipe is made with curry ready, bought in a pack. The other ingredients are common in Brazilian cuisine, such as beef or pork, canoura, potatoes, sesame oil, minced garlic and soy sauce.
3. Doenjãsamgyopsar (Korean typical pancetta): This very traditional dish is made with pork belly (belly) and a vegetable stew. Finishing is with a touch of sesame oil. The dish is fast, made with just one pan.

Now that you know the main spices of Korean cuisine, it's time to put it into practice. How about making unique mixes? It is worth seasoning even the beans with a different pepper. After all, a different touch is always welcome in our daily lives!

All You Can Eat KOREAN BUFFET + Gamcheon Culture Village | Busan, South Korea (April 2024)