South Korea is known for its diverse and delicious cuisine which is influenced from neighboring countries.
In fact, there are numerous south Korean foods across many Asian countries and this reflects their cultural heritage.
It foods are mainly made from ingredients sourcesd locally. People often enjoy South Korean dishes owing to their flavour, taste as nutritional benefits.
There are enormous amounts of nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates as well as phytochemicals in South Korean food.
This article will explore 15 South Korean traditional food & Health Benefits
1. Kimchi
Image source: istock
A popular fermented side dish consists of vegetables, napa cabbage, radishes, chili pepper, garlic, and ginger. Kimchi is extensively eaten in South Korea where it is believed to have be originated.
2.Bulgogi
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Bulgogi is made by marinating slices of pork or beef. The traditional dish is served with rice and wrapped in lettuce leaves.
It is not widely consumed because of the flavorful and sweetness but due to its unmatched nutritional content such as dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrates, capsaicin, flavonoid, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, selenium, iron among others.
3. Bibimbap
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Bibimbap is much-loved in South Korea where it is believed to have been originated.
Bibimbap is such a delicious meal consists of rice dish with sautéed vegetables, meat, fried egg, as well as spicy gochujang sauce.
In South Korea, Bibimbap is served in a hot stone bowl.
4. Samgyeopsal
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A popular meat in South Korea, made by grilled pork belly and eaten with lettuce dipping sauces and garlic.
Samgyeopsal contains various nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, fat, phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins.
5. Jjajangmyeon
Image source: flickr
Jjajangmyeon got the attention of but Chinese and Korean due to its pleasant aroma and taste.
It is actually made from thick wheat noodles which is often served with black bean sauce, stir-fried vegetables as well as seafood.
6. Tteokbokki
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If you have not eaten South Korean Tteokbokki, you are missing a special taste and flavors.
The spicy rice cake is made from rice cakes cooked with gochujang, fish cake and vegetables.
Nutrients content
Protein, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, selenium, antioxidant
7. Japchae
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A popular stir-fried dish prepared with glass noodles and combined with vegetables, meat, and soy sauce.
Japchae serve as a main course or as a side dish, just be sure you eat adequately in order to obtain nutrients like dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidant, calories among others.
8. Sundubu-jjigae
Image source: flickr
As stated earlier, South Korea has a diverse culinary heritage, Sundubu-jjigae is one of the traditional food commonly eaten in South Korea.
This tofu stew is consists of vegetables, seafood or meat, mushrooms. People eat Sundubu-jjigae with a raw egg cracked into the hot soup.
Nutrients content
Protein, dietary fiber, iron, carbohydrates, capsaicin, flavonoid, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, B vitamins.
9. Haemul Pajeon
Image source: flickr
Haemul is among popular snack sold in many restaurants of South Korea
Haemul Pajeon is made with batter of green onions, and consists of seafood, and varieties of vegetables.
Nutrients content
Protein, dietary fiber, iron, carbohydrates, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, B vitamins, selenium, zinc, copper, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, quercetin.
10. Gimbap
Image source: istock
Has same feature with sushi, gimbap is seen as a Korean seaweed rice roll packed with different ingredients include vegetables, egg, meat, and pickled radish.
Gimbap houses numerous nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, iron, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C B vitamins, selenium, phosphorus magnesium, potassium, zinc minerals, carbohydrates, phytochemicals among others.
11.Nakji bokkeum
Image source: flickr
This is a popular food commonly eaten by all in South Korea. You can’t afford to ignore it because of the nutritious ingredients used in making Nakji bokkeum.
Regardless of stir-fried method of cooking it, it contains protein, dietary fiber, fat, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
12. Ppeongtwigi
Image source; flickr
Popular street food of South Korea. It consists of barbecue-flavored, chocolate-covered, and over-packaged.
13. Mudfish Soup
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This is a delicious meal that houses a lot of vegetables and other ingredients like mung bean sprouts, dried radish greens, sweet potato stems, and most of all the thin, delicate outer cabbage leaves.
It offers different nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin, folate, caroteneoid, flavonoids, protein, dietary fiber and healthy fat.
14. Agujjim
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A famous seafood originated in South Korea, which comprises of chili powder, chili paste, meat and spices.
Nutrients content
Protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, bioactive compounds, carbohydrates.
15. Bossam
Image source: flickr
You may want to incorporate bossam,you’re in South Korea due to its unmatched flavors and textures.
South Korea popular food Health Impacts
Immune Boosting: Eating adequately enable your obtain various nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, protein, iron, selenium, flavonoids found in South Korea dishes. These nutrients are responsible for Boosting immune system.
Cardiovascular diseases: One of the causes of heart problems is build up on the arterial wall. Cardiovascular disease include, high cholesterol, blood pressure, heart failure, among others. This is said to impede proper flow of blood round the body. South Korean dishes are loaded with vegetables and spices which are good sources of dietary fiber, and antioxidant. Antioxidant helps neutralize free radicals that triggers formation of build up in the blood vessels.
Sources of Energy: some many of South Korean dishes have reasonable amounts of calories which aid in energy generation.
Promote eye care: Ingredients such as carrot, potato, leafy green vegetable, spices are an integral part of southern Korea dishes. It has been established that they contribute profoundly at production of vitamin A, vitamin E, antioxidant which help improve eyesight.
May prevent cancer: your body can inhibit spread of cancerous cells through adequate intake of foods loaded with antioxidants and dietary fiber. Thanks to some Korean foods like garlic, onions, turmeric, saffron, and ginger, that contain antioxidant.
Conclusion
South Korea traditional foods are diverse and reflects their cultural heritage.
There are varieties of spices, vegetables, fish and meat used in making South Korean foods.
15 South Korean traditional food & Health Benefits include Agujjim, Bossam, Mudfish Soup,among others.
They offer wide range benefits such as immune Boosting, rice source of protein, cancer prevention, promotion of eye care
