While many are familiar with Korean BBQ and the famous kimchi, Korean breakfast dishes are less explored but equally delightful.
From hearty stews to savoury pancakes, Korean breakfasts offer a variety of tastes and textures that are sure to please any palate.
Here are 10 Korean breakfast food items you must try.
What is Korean Breakfast?
Korean breakfast, much like the rest of Korean cuisine, is a harmonious blend of flavours and textures that provide both nourishment and comfort. Unlike Western breakfasts, which often feature sweet pastries or cereals, Korean breakfasts are typically savoury and can include a variety of soups, stews, rice dishes, and side dishes (banchan). These meals are designed to be wholesome and balanced, providing the necessary energy to start the day. A typical Korean breakfast food item is not just about filling the stomach but also about enjoying a well-rounded meal that incorporates different food groups and nutrients.
10 Korean Breakfast Food Items You Must Try
1. Kimchi Bokkeumbap (Kimchi Fried Rice)
Kimchi Bokkeumbap is a staple in many Korean households. This dish is a perfect way to start your day with a burst of flavour and a good dose of probiotics. It’s made by stir-frying kimchi with rice, often adding vegetables, meat (like pork or beef), and a fried egg on top. The combination of spicy, tangy kimchi and savoury rice is both satisfying and delicious.
Kimchi Bokkeumbap Recipe:
Ingredients: Kimchi, rice, vegetables (such as carrots, onions, and peas), meat (optional), soy sauce, sesame oil, and a fried egg.
Directions: In a pan, sauté chopped kimchi and vegetables until tender. Add cooked rice and meat, stir well. Season with soy sauce and sesame oil. Top with a fried egg.
2. Miyeokguk (Seaweed Soup)
Miyeokguk, or seaweed soup, is a traditional Korean breakfast cuisine often enjoyed on birthdays and by new mothers for its nutritional benefits. Made from dried seaweed, beef or seafood, and a savoury broth, this soup is light yet nourishing.
Miyeokguk (Seaweed Soup) Recipe:
Ingredients: Dried seaweed, beef or seafood, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and water.
Directions: Soak the seaweed in water until it expands. Sauté garlic and beef in sesame oil, then add water and bring to a boil. Add the seaweed and simmer until the beef is tender and season with soy sauce.
3. Sundubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)
Sundubu Jjigae is a comforting and spicy stew made with soft tofu, vegetables, and often seafood or meat. It’s a hearty breakfast that’s sure to warm you up on a cold morning.
Sundubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew) Recipe:
Ingredients: Soft tofu, vegetables (like zucchini, mushrooms, and onions), seafood or meat, gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), garlic, and broth.
Directions: In a pot, sauté garlic and vegetables, then add the broth and bring to a boil. Add the tofu and seafood or meat. Season with gochujang and simmer until the tofu is heated through.
4. Jeon (Korean Pancakes)
Jeon refers to a variety of savoury Korean pancakes made with different ingredients like vegetables, seafood, and kimchi. These pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them a delightful breakfast option.
Jeon (Korean Pancakes) Recipe:
Ingredients: Flour, water, vegetables (like green onions, carrots, and zucchini), seafood or meat, and soy sauce.
Directions: Mix flour and water to create a batter, then add chopped vegetables and seafood or meat. Fry spoonfuls of the batter in a hot pan until golden brown on both sides. Serve with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce and vinegar.
5. Ddukbaegi Gyeran Jjim (Steamed Egg Custard)
Ddukbaegi Gyeran Jjim is a savory steamed egg custard cooked in a clay pot. This dish is light, fluffy, and incredibly comforting, making it a popular koeran breakfast choice.
Ddukbaegi Gyeran Jjim (Steamed Egg Custard) Recipe:
Ingredients: Eggs, water, salt, green onions, and sesame oil.
Directions: Beat the eggs with water and salt, then pour the mixture into a heated clay pot. Cook on low heat until the eggs are set and fluffy. Garnish with chopped green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil.
6. Hobakjuk (Pumpkin Porridge)
Hobakjuk is a sweet and creamy pumpkin porridge often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack. It’s made with pumpkin, glutinous rice flour, and sugar, resulting in a velvety and comforting dish.
Hobakjuk (Pumpkin Porridge) Recipe:
Ingredients: Pumpkin, glutinous rice flour, water, sugar, and salt.
Directions: Cook the pumpkin until soft, then blend until smooth. Combine the pumpkin puree with water and glutinous rice flour, then simmer until thickened. Sweeten with sugar and a pinch of salt.
7. Kongnamul Guk (Soybean Sprout Soup)
Kongnamul Guk is a light and refreshing soup made with soybean sprouts, garlic, and green onions. It’s a simple yet nutritious breakfast that’s often enjoyed with a bowl of rice.
Kongnamul Guk (Soybean Sprout Soup) Recipe:
Ingredients: Soybean sprouts, garlic, green onions, soy sauce, and water.
Directions: Boil water and add the soybean sprouts, garlic, and green onions. Simmer until the sprouts are tender. Season with soy sauce and serve hot.
8. Juk (Rice Porridge)
Juk is a versatile rice porridge that can be made with various ingredients like chicken, abalone, or vegetables. It’s a comforting and easily digestible breakfast option.
Juk (Rice Porridge) Recipe:
Ingredients: Rice, water, chicken or abalone, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.
Directions: Cook the rice with water, garlic, and ginger until it breaks down into a porridge consistency. Add cooked chicken or abalone and season with soy sauce.
9. Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup)
Tteokguk is a traditional Korean soup made with sliced rice cakes, beef broth, and garnished with egg and seaweed. It’s commonly eaten during the Lunar New Year but can be enjoyed year-round.
Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup) Recipe:
Ingredients: Sliced rice cakes, beef broth, garlic, soy sauce, egg, and seaweed.
Directions: Boil the beef broth with garlic and soy sauce, then add the rice cakes. Simmer until the rice cakes are soft. Garnish with a beaten egg and seaweed strips.
10. Gyeran Bbang (Egg Bread)
Gyeran Bbang is a small loaf of bread with a whole egg baked inside, often flavoured with sugar and vanilla. Gyeran Bbang offers a perfect blend of savoury and sweet flavours. It’s not just a quick and satisfying breakfast in Korea; it’s also gaining popularity among food enthusiasts exploring Korean street food in Sydney. It is a unique and delicious Korean breakfast item that you simply must try!
Gyeran Bbang (Egg Bread) Recipe:
Ingredients: Flour, sugar, eggs, milk, baking powder, and vanilla extract.
Directions: Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and vanilla extract with milk to create a batter. Pour the batter into small loaf pans, then crack an egg on top of each one. Bake until the bread is golden and the egg is set.
Delightful Mix of Flavours, Textures, and Ingredients
Korean breakfast foods are a delightful mix of flavours, textures, and ingredients that offer a unique start to your day. From the spicy kick of Kimchi Bokkeumbap to the comforting warmth of Sundubu Jjigae, these dishes are sure to bring joy and satisfaction to your morning routine. So why not try something new and explore the diverse and delicious world of Korean breakfasts?
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