A Korean Winter: Spicy Kimchi Stew for the Seoul

The majority of winter festivities around the world are defined by the food that is prepared and shared. While the West considers food such as chicken noodle soup or chicken pot pie winter comfort food, the Korean equivalent, 삼계탕 (samgyetang), is considered a summer food. Discover a whole new culinary experience of flavors, health benefits, and sensations with these Korean winter foods! Whether in Seoul or the local Koreatown, these favorites will instantly warm up any frigid wintery day.  

Steamy Soups and Stews

As temperatures drop and the winter chill sinks down to the bone, a hot bowl of steaming sustenance can ignite a fire from within. Instead of grabbing a cup of instant ramen noodles, venture out to try a heartier and healthier alternative with these array of Korean soups, stews, broths, and more! Whether the preference is red bean, potato, or pumpkin. 팥죽 (patjuk), a thick red bean and sticky rice porridge, is a Korean favorite for the coldest of days. Typically eaten on the shortest day of the year in celebration of the winter solstice, patjuk will help fuel spirits as the the dark and cool days start to get longer. Not a fan of porridge? Opt in for 만두국 (manduguk), a warming dumpling soup or 떡국 (tteokguk), a rice cake soup.

Another all time favorite is 설렁탕 (seolleongtang), or ox bone soup. This beefy broth is made over many hours by boiling tender cuts of beef along with pieces of bone. This winter favorite boasts natural health benefits such as being a high source of protein, minerals such as phosphates, calcium, and amino acids such as glycine and proline. The stock also tends to be high in collagen, which may help with skin health, making it an all time favorite. It is also customizable with any choice of vegetables and can be a good low sodium option.  

Not a meat person? Then opt in for 김치 찌개 (kimchi jjigae), or a kimchi stew! Kimchi is Korean fermented cabbage, but there are many variations that use a wide array of vegetables such as radish, cucumbers, and many more. When winter rolls around, local fresh vegetables are harder to come by. At the start of the winter season, many Koreans take part in 김장 (kimjang) where a group of people come together to make large batches of kimchi. Some Korean households even dedicate a whole fridge to store their kimchi. At the prime picking time after the first round or two of frost, many vegetables start making sugars, which are stored in their leaves as protection against freezing. The distinctive natural sweetness paired with a spicy hot bowl of kimchi jjigae is what will give it its distinctive seasonal flavor.  For a lighter version, try a kimchi soup known as 김치국 (kimchi guk) that pairs perfectly with a bowl of rice.

Tasty Treats

Be sure to try out these tasty winter treats at your nearest Asian supermarket or Koreatown.

Winter wouldn’t be the same without roasting chestnuts, or 군밤 (gunbam), around a fire or biting into a steaming baked yam, 군고구마 (goon goguma), that has just been unwrapped from its foil after being pulled out of a wood fire. These sweet treats in their most natural form rival the warm and gooey cinnamon sugar-filled sweet pancakes called 호떡 (hotteok) that can easily be made at home following recipes posted online (check out Maangchi’s YouTube channel. One of the most iconic winter treats is the piping hot fish shaped pastry called 붕어빵 (bungeoppang), which is typically filled with red bean paste. If these quick street snacks don’t do the trick, it may require a quick stop at a street stall to savor the spicy and chewy 떡볶이 (tteokbokki) or a skewer of fish cakes with a cup of scalding hot broth. There is definitely a variety of treats foodies all around the world can indulge in to find their favorite scrumptious winter comfort food.

Fighting Fire With Fire

While the winter chill may have many craving something warm, many Koreans feel that when cold foods are eaten, the body will feel warmer. Just like how a hot bowl of samgyetang in the summer may help make it seem like the weather has cooled down, why not try enjoying 물냉면 (mul naengmyeon), or cold noodles served in an icy broth with some watermelon and pears in the soup. The foreign experience of a cold, sweet, and chewy dish will tickle the tastebuds silly. Not a fan of a sweet soup? Try 비빔냉면 (bibim naengmyeon), or spicy cold noodles for a contradictory hot and cold experience. As outlandish as it may seem, don’t judge it until tried! Think of it as craving of a cold ice cream cone or shaved ice while being huddled up under a blanket.