Foods to try when coming to Korea in the fall

VTV.vn - When autumn comes, Korea puts on a bright yellow coat of maple leaves and ginkgo trees, and local cuisine also reveals its typical delicacies.

Autumn in Korea - (Photo: Naejangsan)

If you are about to explore the land of kimchi this season, don't miss these typical dishes that are both delicious and will make an unforgettable mark on your culinary journey.

Half-moon shaped rice cake

Songpyeon is a traditional rice cake that is indispensable during Chuseok – the Korean mid-autumn harvest festival. The rice flour is kneaded smoothly, covered with fillings (roasted sesame, red beans, chestnuts, honey, etc.) and folded into a crescent shape, then steamed on a layer of pine needles, creating a distinctive aroma.

When eating, you will feel the softness combined with the sweetness of the filling, perfectly combined with the cool autumn air and the family atmosphere. If you have the opportunity to participate in the Songpyeon making program in traditional villages, you can also mold the cake yourself and enjoy the warm feeling when the cake is just out of the oven.

Moon-shaped rice cakes (Photo: Korean Bapsang)

Salty fried cakes

Jeon - a savory fried cake is always a familiar dish of autumn in Korea. Jeon is usually made from flour, rice flour, eggs, vegetables or seafood, then fried in a pan of oil until golden brown. Jeon has a seafood version, combining shrimp, squid and clams, or a fragrant version with deep-fermented kimchi.

Koreans often enjoy Jeon with Makgeolli rice wine, chatting happily and listening to the sound of falling rain, bringing a relaxing feeling of autumn.

Autumn crab and silver herring

Autumn is the time of year when crabs are at their freshest. Blue crabs (Kkotge) are often made into spicy crab sauce (Kkotgetang) or steamed whole to retain their natural sweetness.

In addition, silver herring is an autumn specialty of the port area. Depending on the region, people can eat it raw as sashimi, grilled, or pickled.

If you go to famous seafood markets like Noryangjin (Seoul Capital) or coastal cities like Sokcho, don't miss the crab and herring stalls, choose fresh ones, ask them to be cooked right there and enjoy them while they're still hot.

Baked sweet potatoes

Simple yet sweet, roasted sweet potatoes are a quintessential Korean autumn street food. Grilled sweet potato stands are often found along small streets, kept warm in earthenware or charcoal. The outside of the potato has a slightly charred skin, while the inside is soft and sweet, as if the taste of autumn is wrapped in each bite.

Baked sweet potatoes (Photo: YouTube)

On a chilly evening, hold a hot potato cake, leisurely stroll the streets, enjoy the smell of soil and potato flavor, a simple, warm dish that never gets boring.

Persimmons and dried persimmons

Persimmon is a typical autumn fruit of Korea, juicy and crispy when ripe. In addition to fresh fruit, persimmons are also dried into Gotgam, which is chewy, sweet and can be kept for a long time.

An interesting point is that Koreans also display dried persimmons as decorations or hang them outside their doors, both for beauty and to preserve them for the winter. When you are full with salty dishes, you can enjoy persimmons or dried persimmons as a light, refreshing dessert, very suitable for the taste after meals.

Korean BBQ with mushrooms and autumn vegetables

When the fall weather cools down, there’s nothing like a cozy barbecue. Samgyeopsal or galbi (marinated beef ribs) are always popular at outdoor barbecues or barbecue restaurants.

Autumn also has the advantage of abundant wild mushrooms such as shiitake mushrooms, black fungus mushrooms, and oyster mushrooms, making them ideal ingredients for meat rolls and grilled vegetables. The combination of fatty meat, green vegetables, and crispy, fragrant mushrooms makes every meal more complete, delicious, and not too rich.

Autumn

When the air starts to get cold, Korean soups become the ideal choice to warm the body and soul, with types such as: kimchi soup stewed with pork, tofu, mushrooms, spicy, rich; soft tofu soup, mildly spicy broth, often served with raw eggs and hot rice...

Choose a small restaurant in the alley, order a pot of steaming soup, add vegetables and noodles to enjoy the warm aroma in the cold weather, that is the true Korean autumn culinary experience.

Tofu soup (Photo: Allrecipes)

Fruit tea and autumn drinks

When it gets cold, you can't miss the autumn drinks like: Sujeonggwa - a traditional dessert made from ginger, cinnamon and star fruit, aromatic, slightly spicy, usually drunk warm or cold. Or Baesuk - Korean pear cooked with ginger, honey, black pepper, warm and pure, very suitable for the cold season.

Autumn in Korea is not only beautiful in its scenery but also full of flavors. From the sweet Songpyeon cakes, the sizzling sound of Jeon in the pan to the smell of roasted sweet potatoes wafting in the wind, all create a culinary symphony that makes diners' hearts flutter. If you set foot in Korea this season, let your stomach lead the way because each dish is a chapter telling a story about the culture, tradition and autumn nature of the land of kimchi.

Source: https://vtv.vn/nhung-mon-an-nen-thu-khi-den-han-quoc-vao-mua-thu-100251005114726165.htm