10 Lip-Smacking Korean Dishes to try in Chennai

Unless you’ve spent your days devoid of any internet access, you probably know that there’s a huge Korean culture wave washing over India, through the spread of Korean dramas and Korean Pop music. Many youngsters are very enthusiastic about trying any new experience remotely connected with South Korea.

If you’re keen to try the Korean foods you’ve seen on dramas, or if you’re just an avid foodie who loves trying out new cuisines, then read on to create your own bucket list of delectable Korean dishes you can try in Chennai!

1. Kimbap

Kimbap is a very popular choice in Korea to take on a packed picnic lunch. Made by wrapping together cooked sticky rice, vegetables, and meat in a layer of thin seaweed, this rolled up dish is sure to fill you up and leave your taste buds happy.

2. Egg Rolls

Korean Egg rolls are more or less a rolled up version of the omelette, with diced vegetables, spring onions and scallops. Rolled up and sliced, they make a filling snack.

3. Samgyeopsal

This is a delicious favourite both among Koreans and people who try it for the first time. The dish consists of Grilled pork belly, which is rolled up in a lettuce leaf with roasted garlic, kimchi, and sesame oil dipping sauce. The most fun part? You can barbeque it on the table yourself and roll it up before popping it into your mouth to enjoy the riot of flavours.

4. Seafood Jjajangmyeon

Jjajangmyeon is a dish of chewy noodles covered in oodles of mildly spiced black bean sauce with meat or vegetables. One of the more popular versions of the dish in Chennai is seafood Jjajangmyeon.

5. Patbingsu

Patbingsu is a popular and favourite dessert in Korea. Made with crunchy shaved ice and flavoured with red bean paste, (there are variations in flavour too – like fruit syrup, chopped fruits, chocolate, coffee and cherry) this dessert is usually served in large portions, as the tradition calls for a group of friends to dig into a bowl together. So take your friends along, because this cooling dessert is sure to steal your heart on a blazing summer day!

6. Ramyun

We’ve all had ramen noodles before, but have we REALLY had Ramyun? Unlike the quick-fix instant noodles that we whip up in a minute (which we still love), restaurant style Ramyun comes steaming hot in a pot of spicy broth with your choice of meat, especially seafood, usually served with a fried egg on top!

7. Kimchi

If you know anything about Korea, you know about Kimchi, the national Korean dish made with fermented, marinated and pickled cabbage (sometimes made with cucumber or radish too). Crunchy and spicy with a tanginess that’ll tickle your taste buds, Kimchi is the perfect side-dish to your Korean meal.

8. Tteukbokki

Tteukbokki is one of the most popular street foods in Korea. These cylindrical spicy rice cakes are cooked in a wide variety of sauces like spicy sauce, cheesy sauce, and soy sauce, and are very satisfying to both your stomach and your tongue.

9. Bul Go Gi

Bul Go Gi is a delicacy that often features in Korean dramas. This dish is made from thin marinated slices of beef or pork which are then stir fried with ingredients like onions, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar and sesame seeds.

10. Kimchi Jigae

Kimchi Jigae is a dish in which the humble kimchi steals the show. This Spicy Korean kimchi stew (or jigae) is made with onions, scallions, tofu, and meat like pork or seafood. You just have to try this dish that’ll warm you down to the very tips of your toes.

Want tips on where you can find these dishes? Click here for a list of Korean restaurants that serve up these sumptuous meals!