Dueji Galbi Jjim (돼지갈비찜): Spicy Pork Ribs

IMG_2582

[Duegi= pork, Galbi= ribs, Jjim: stew or a steamed dish]

My husband and I went to a Korean butcher in Flushing last weekend. When he discovered pork ribs in the store, he asked “What do Koreans make with these?” I have made kimchee-jjim before with pork ribs, which I will post at a later time, but today I decided to make spicy dueji-galbi-jjim (매운돼지갈비찜). As you can tell by its name, spicy dueji-galbi-jjim is a spicy stew made with pork ribs. Continue reading

Dubu Kimchee (두부김치): Pork Kimchee Sauté with Tofu

IMG_2232

[Dubu: tofu]

My husband loves any dish that has pork and kimchee, whether it’s a stew, soup or sauté. As such, one of his favorite dishes is dubu Kimchee, which is a spicy pork and kimchee sauté served with tofu.

Continue reading

Ttuckbaegi Gyeran-jjim (뚝배기 계란찜): Steamed Egg in Hotpot

IMG_1707

[Ttuckbaegi: Korean earthenware pot, Gyeran: egg, Jjim: steamed]

A soft and fluffy gyeran-jjim (계란찜) is a yummy side dish that both children and adults love. Despite the simplicity of the dish, gyeran-jjim is often the crowd’s favorite when cooked well.

Continue reading

Osam-bulgogi (오삼불고기): Spicy Squid and Pork Belly

IMG_2152

[Osam is shorthand for ojingau-samgyupsal. Ojingau= Squid, Samgyupsal: pork belly]

Koreans feel that the spicier the food, the better for stress relief, and osam-bulgogi is one of the most popular spicy Korean dishes. This dish is sautéed squid and pork in spicy sauce with various vegetable of your choice. Continue reading

Gungjung-ttuckbokki (궁중떡볶이): Royal Rice Cakes

IMG_2042

[Gungjung: royal, ttuck: rice cakes, bokki: sauté]

Gungjung-tuckbokki or royal tuckbokki is a non-spicy version of Koreans’ favorite pastime dish, tuckbokki. I assume that it is called “royal” tuckbokki because this dish contains as much meat and vegetables as rice cakes unlike its cousin and moreover contains all of the 5 food groups.

Continue reading

Ttuckmandu-guk (떡만두국): Rice cake and dumpling soup

IMG_2213

[Ttuck: rice cakes, Mandu: dumplings, guk: soup]

Ttuckmandu-guk is traditionally the first meal Koreans eat on New Year’s Day. The white color of the rice cakes symbolizes a new start and longevity while the round shape represents coins for good luck and wealth. Continue reading