Categories of Korean foods

What is food without side dishes (일품요리)?

일품요리 is a category of Korean dishes that refers to dishes that are supposed to contain both the main dish and side dishes together in one dish. It is supposed to be one cohesive meal in one dish. The reason foods without side dishes exist is mostly for convenience. Some places or homes may serve some kimchi or complimentary side dishes with 일품요리because there is no law around it. 

Cooking methods that we have covered that fall under the category of 일품요리 are: 

• Tteok-bokki (떡볶이)
• Dumplings
• Bibimbap (비빔밥)
• Noodles
• Fried Rice
• Raw Foods
• Gimbap (김밥)
• Curry (카레)
• Porridge (죽)

Event Food Categories

Besides your typical everyday Korean meal setting, there are some other categories of meals that are enjoyed based on the time of year. 

Anju (안주): 

Anju refers to foods that you can eat with alcohol. Anything can really be Anju. Anju is just the category of dishes that are eaten alongside alcohol.

• Chicken + Beer
• Squid + Beer
• Nuts + Alcohol
• Blood Sausage Soup + Soju

Janchi (잔치):

Janchi refers to festival or special occasion foods. Festival foods are enjoyed on special days like important birthdays. Janchi would usually be served on someone’s 60th birthday in Korea. 

• Japchae (잡채)
• Boiled Pork (보쌈)
• Janchi Noodles (잔치국수)

Seasonal Korean Dishes

The last thing I want to share about Korean cuisine is the importance of seasonal dishes. Nowadays, all these dishes are available year-round. But there are still some dishes that are associated with being eaten during certain seasons, and so I will share those dishes.

Spring:

• Shepherd’s Purse (냄이)
• Korean Chive (달래)
• Raw Marinaded Crabs (간장게장)
• Mugwort Soup (쑥국)
• Little neck clams (바지락)
• Deodeok (더덕)
• Chwinamul (취나물)
• Strawberry (딸기)

Summer:

• Cold Noodle Soup (냉면)
• Chicken Ginseng Soup (삼계탕)
• Red Bean Shaved Ice (팥빙수)
• Raw Fish Soup (물회)
• Grilled Eel (장어구이)
• Soymilk Noodles (콩국수)

Fall: 

• Raw Dotted Gizzard Shad (전어회) 
• Raw octopus (산낙지)
• Grilled Hairtail (갈치구이)
• Five-flavor berry (오미자)
• Sweet Potato (고구마)
• Cluster Mallow Soybean Soup (아욱된장국)
• Chinese White Shrimp (대하)
• Ginko (은행) 

Winter:

• Korean Sweet Fish Bread (붕어빵)
• Red Bean Porridge (팥죽)
• Kimchi Hotpot (김치전골)
• Dried Radish Green Soybean Soup (시래기 된장국)
• Fish Cake Soup (어묵탕)
• Korean Sweet Pancake (호떡)
• Sweet White Buns (호빵)
• Citron Tea (유자차)
• Dumplings (만두)
• Pollock Soup (동태탕)