Korean food is famous for its hearty spicy stews, bright pickled vegetables, and addictive barbecue.
But for novices, a Korean restaurant and its menu can be intimidating. Most dishes don't have names that translate into English. If you're not familiar with the names, you might make your order based on your analysis of the English ingredients and hope for the best.
The goal of this feature is to introduce you to a few popular and savory dishes so that you don't have to go into your next Korean restaurant unprepared.
Yukgaejang
Spicy shredded beef stew with scallions, onions and Korean radish.
Like most Korean stews, yukgaejang is simmered for hours, which leaves the vegetables soft and the beef fall-apart like a brisket. It's typically served with a bowl of rice that can be mixed into the soup.
Its hearty, hot, and spicy making it the quintessential Korean food. You can get it at every korean restaurant. Believe it or not, this picture was taken at a highway rest area halfway between Seoul and Busan.
Bibim Naengmyeon
Cold buckwheat noodles mixed with sliced beef, pickled radish or Asian pear, pickled cucumber and spicy chili sauce.
"Bibim" is Korean for "mixed." This popular North Korean dish can also be served with in a chilled beef consommé instead of the spicy sauce; just ask for mul naengmyun.
It's an extremely popular hot weather dish, and it'll sometimes even be served with ice cubes. Your waittress or waiter will offer to cut your noodles with her or his kitchen sheers.
Galbi
Short ribs marinated in soy sauce.
No one ever forgets about the time they got Korean barbecue and had galbi. The earthy marinade of soy sauce and garlic is balanced by the sweetness of sugar or honey. On a hot enough grill, the sear will turn into a light char that's basically candy.
Most Korean restaurants offering barbecue will have grills built into the table. However, grilling at the table is usually reserved for larger groups.
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