Shiitake mushroom
Shiitake mushroom’s korean name is “Pyogo beosut” (표고버섯). This is a picture of some shiitake mushrooms. Usually they are 1200-1500 won per 100g. (US $1.30-60) You can fine more about shiitake mushrooms from Wikipedia.
Enoki mushrooms
Enoki mushrooms, their Korean name is “Paeng-ee beosut”. I think they are the cheapest mushrooms in Korea. You can get 3 packs of these mushrooms for 1000 won (US $1.05) at the supermarket. (Sometimes 5 packs for 1000 won.) This is a picture of the enoki mushroom pack. How to use : cut off …
Oyster Sauce
I personally don’t like the taste of oyster sauce (Gul sauce, 굴소스) on its own. It tastes too artificial for me. However it makes some good dishes (like Mushrooms on rice) when used with other ingredients. This is a picture of the oyster sauce I am using. It is about 2000 won (US $2.10) for …
Tefal Mini Oven (8.5L)
This is a picture of my TEFAL mini oven. (Photo credit: http://www.tefal.co.kr/) I bought this oven about year ago. I would have bought a big built in oven if I was going to stay in Korea permanently. I can bake 6 medium size cookies at one time, so it takes me about 3 hours to …
Instant Jajangmyeon
Learn how to cook Korean instant Jajangmyeon! It’s very easy! Ready in 5 minutes. I love trying new instant food particularly when it sounds healthy. So I bought these instant Jajangmyeon to try out. Name: Rice Jajangmyeon (쌀 자장면) by CJ Price at Homeplus : 4,130 won (US $4.40) Size: 670g for 2 servings The …
Colorful Rice Cake (Mujigae Ddeok)
I like this rice cake’s color, it is so beautiful. It looks sweet but it tastes plain. (so my husband doesn’t like it as much.)Its price was 2000 won (US $2.10). It seemed expensive to me since it is only 3 pieces. Mujigae (무지개) means “rainbow” in Korean. Apparently this has the meaning of “Achieve …
Sweet Rice Cake (Gyeongdan)
Korean sweet rice cake balls (Gyeongdan) This, sweet rice cake (Gyongdan, 경단) is a Korean traditional snack. It is my husband’s favourite rice cake (I like it too, but if I have it too much, I feel sick, because it is quite sweet.) It has sweetened red bean paste inside. Many years ago, Koreans believed …
How to Eat Cheaply at Outback Steakhouse
Update March 2017 I wrote the article below (“How to Eat Cheaply at Outback Steakhouse in Korea”) over 10 years ago, so the coupons are probably not relevant anymore. Also, I don’t live in South Korea anymore, so if you want to find out about current deals at Outback Steakhouse Korea, I recommend you ask …
What Korean Fish Cake Looks Like and is Made of
Above Korean fish cake (Eomuk, 어묵 or Odeng, 오뎅) is what I often use in my fish cake stir fry and some times in my fish cake soup. Other shapes (e.g. round balls, long thin stick or square etc.) are also available as well. You can normally find it in the freezer section of a Korean grocery store (if you’re …
Korean Fish Cake Side Dish
Learn how to make this popular Korean fish cake side dish! Korean fish cake stir fry is a very popular Korean side dish (banchan, 반찬) in Korea. Korean fish cake is called eomuk (어묵) or odeng (오뎅), so Korean fish cake stir fry is called Eomuk Bokkeum, 어묵볶음 or Odeng Bokkeum, 오뎅볶음. Korean fish cake …
Korean Squid Pancakes (Ojingeo Buchimgae)
Easy and delicious Korean squid pancakes. A perfect appetizer! Korean pancakes (Buchimgae, 부침개) are very popular on a rainy day among Koreans. There are a couple of theories about the reason, but I don’t really know why. The other day my husband told me he wished it rained all the time so that he can …
Ssamjang Sauce (Korean Spicy Dipping Sauce)
Learn about ssamjang sauce. What is it and how to use it. Ssamjang (쌈장, Korean spicy dipping sauce) is a thick and spicy paste used as a dipping sauce when you make a wrap. This typically involves Korean grilled BBQ on a lettuce, perilla or steamed cabbage leaf. You simply dab a small amount of sauce with …
Japanese Style Chicken Curry Rice
Japanese Chicken Curry Recipe! When I first tasted curry in Japan, it was so different to what I was used to yet it was really delicious. I think Japanese curry is sweeter, darker, and smells stronger than Korean curry. Someone told me that it is similar to the original Indian curry. I personally like Japanese …
Korean Plum Extract (Maesil)
Learn how you can use Korean plum extract in Korean cooking! During the early days of My Korean Kitchen, I used Korean plum extract in some of my Korean cooking. These recipes are:- Flying fish roe rice (Al Bap) – used in sauce Korean plum tea– used as syrup Pressure cooker pork ribs – used in …
Korean Teriyaki Chicken
Easy Korean style teriyaki chicken recipe. I got the idea for this meal – teriyaky chicken (데리야끼 치킨) at my mother in law’s dinner. I just guessed what I am supposed to use. It is a bit sweet, but tender. My husband really liked it a lot. It is not quite Japanese style, so I …
Korean Cafeteria Food
If you live near a university or big corporation, there is a high chance you can get some cheap meals. In general, eating out in Korea isn’t that expensive, No, actually it is quite cheap since wages are so low in service industries. However, meals at most universities and corporations are even cheaper. I live …
Korean Rice Wine
Rice wine or refined rice wine is an essential pantry item in Korean cooking. Below is my new cooking wine. I bought it for about AUD $3.00 for 500ml (Mirim 미림 by Lotte) at a Korean grocery store. Highlights: Alchohol 14% and No MSG Ingredients: Water, Corn syrup, Sugar, Rice, Aging alcohol 14%/volume Previously when I …
Lotteria Lunch Time Menu on Sale
Note: The sale below was a long time ago so is not relevant anymore. However, I still like bulgogi burgers and have shared a bulgogi rice burger recipe at this link. The other day I went to Lotteria with my friend. (Lotteria is a kind of Burger King.) I haven’t eaten a hamburger for over …
What Brown Rice Packages look like
I noticed some foreigners buy brown rice when they visit Seoul (Itaewon). Which means they don’t think it’s available at the local market. So I am going to show you what it looks like (just one brand) and teach you the Korean name for brown rice. This is the brown rice I usually get at …
Korean Instant Udon Noodles
Below instant udon noodles (인스턴트 우동) are very simple and easy to make, so they make a quick meal. They are my husband’s favourite instant noodles. He thinks they are healthier than other instant noodles because the noodles are not deep fried. When you open the packet, you will see the three individually packed ingredients: Udon noodles, …