What do Korean kids eat at lunch?

In general, Korean school lunches consist of rice, soup, kimchi, protein-focused side dishes that are based on meat, fish or tofu, vegetables or fruit .

What is South Korea's most famous dish?

Bulgogi is probably the most popular Korean dish, with thinly sliced meat that has a smoky-sweet flavor. You can enjoy it broiled, grilled, or stir-fried. The beef is usually accompanied with lettuce wraps and gochujang (spicy red pepper paste) for wrapping and spicing up the meat.

What is considered the main dish of every meal in the Korean diet?

Kimchi is served at nearly every meal. Commonly used ingredients include sesame oil, doenjang (fermented bean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, gochugaru (pepper flakes), gochujang (fermented red chili paste) and napa cabbage. Ingredients and dishes vary by province. Many regional dishes have become national.

Is fermented food safe for babies? Yes. In fact, fermented foods like kimchi are not only safe, they offer numerous health benefits for babies . When purchasing kimchi for your baby, look for refrigerated kimchi and check the use-by date to be safe.

What is bibimbap in English?

The word bibimbap means stirred or mixed rice . It is served as a bowl of rice with more ingredients on it. These ingredients can include some vegetables (spinach, herbs, potherb, and gosari). Beef or seafood can be added too.

Is Korean food junk food?

Luckily for Korean foodies, Korean food can be as good for you as it tastes . The dominant cooking methods used in Korea are all healthy: grilling, fermenting and stewing. Even stir-frying uses only a little oil to cook quickly, ensuring that vegetables remain crisp, retaining their nutrients.

What is the hottest Korean dish?

Some of the hottest dishes include: Buldak (aka 'fire chicken', heavily spiced BBQ chicken) Onnuriye donkatsu (pork cutlet) Galbi jjim (braised short-ribs)

What do Koreans cook at home?

30 Korean Foods to Make at Home Kimchi. ... Japchae (Glass Noodles with Beef & Vegetables) ... Yangnyeom Chikin (Spicy Korean Fried Chicken) ... Gimbap. ... Galbi-Jjim (Braised Pork Ribs) ... Haemul Pajeon (Seafood & Scallion Pancake) ... Salmon & Scallion Pajeon. ... Quick-Pickled Kimchi. More items...

What do Koreans eat in a day?

Koreans don't distinguish among breakfast, lunch, or dinner , so it's not unusual to eat rice three times a day. In addition to individual bowls of rice, you may get a single serving of soup. Hot pots (jjigae or jungol), which are thicker and saltier, are set in the middle of the table for everyone to share.

Why do Koreans eat so much meat?

Meat is often a symbol of social status in Korea . Those who can will eat meat. It's a sign of abundance, and meats such as Korea-reared ground beef and steak are considered to be in the top tier.

What are school lunches like in Korea?

Served on a five- or six-section tray, the standard meal consists of rice (usually with mixed grains); soup; two or three different side dishes that include meat and vegetables; various types of kimchi (cabbage, radish or cucumber); and dessert (fruit, cookies, juice, or even ice cream).

What do Koreans bring for lunch?

A dosirak is a Korean lunchbox, similar to the more well known Japanese bento. Like the bento, a dosirak can have all sorts of side dishes but almost always has rice, side dishes, and some main protein. For many years in Korea, it was customary for moms to pack lunch for their children.

20 Back to School Korean Recipes (2024)

Published 08/25/2022. Updated 01/27/2021

A collection of 20 back to school Korean recipes your kids will love!

It’s back to school time!! I’ve put together a collection of fun and easy recipes to make for yourself and your family on busy school days. From Korean lunch box ideas and after-school snacks to easy kid-friendly dinners, these are some dishes that kids grow up eating in Korea. Your kids will love them too!

Some of these can be prepared and stored in the freezer. Simply take them out and reheat to feed your hungry kids. Some of them are easy dinners you can whip up quickly or prepare ahead of time.

1. Dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken)

Bite-sized boneless chicken pieces make this dish so easy to make. The sauce is sweet and tangy with a little spicy kick from the gochujang (Korean red chili pepper paste), but you can also make it without any spiciness by replacing gochujang partially or entirely with ketchup for your younger children.

2. Kimbap (Seaweed rice rolls)

The most popular on-the-go meal in Korea! Your children will love to see these beautiful rice rolls in their lunch box. Kimbap (or gimbap) is really not that hard to make it at home with my step-by-step guide!

3. Mini Kimbap

Kimbap can’t get any easier than this! Have your children roll these for fun. They are addictive with or without a sauce!

4. Tteokbokki (Spicy stir-fried rice cake)

A highly popular Korean street food and a delicious comfort food you can easily make at home! This was a popular after school snack growing up. You can adjust the spicy level to your kids’ taste.

5. Gungjung tteokbokki (royal court rice cake)

This traditional mild version of tteokbokki is perfect for those who don’t do well with the spiciness of the red spicy tteokbokki above. It’s mildly flavored with a soy sauce based sauce.

6. Mandu (Korean dumplings)

Make these Korean dumplings ahead of time and freeze. You’ll be able to feed your hungry kids in no time when the time comes!

7. Gyeran mari (rolled omelette)

Gyeran mari is hugely popular as a lunch box item! It’s also a delicious side dish that you can whip up last minute for any Korean meal.

8. Gogi wanjajeon (pan-fried meatballs in egg batter)

Another childhood favorite! These little egg-battered meat balls were a favorite for packing in the school lunch boxes. It was always a special treat to have a few of these meatballs with a meal.

9. Hotteok (Sweet Stuffed Pancakes)

Give your children a sweet treat! This chewy, gooey and nutty Korean stuffed pancake is a popular street snack. The pancakes freeze really well, so just pop them in the toaster or microwave to reheat.

10. Omurice (omellete rice)

Who wouldn’t like fried rice wrapped in egg omelette? Flavored with sweet and tangy ketchup, omurice is especially popular among children.

11. Korean Curry rice

A delicious, comfort food we all grew up eating! The instant curry mix makes this dish so easy to make. Add lots of meat and vegetables to make it a hearty dish everyone loves.

12. Donkkaseu (Tonkatsu)

Donkkaseu is highly popular among children! This cutlet is thin, so it cooks up very quickly!

13. Jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce)

Deeply embedded in the childhood memories of every Korean, jajangmyeon (or jjajangmyeon), is a popular Korean-Chinese noodle dish. Everyone loves it!

14. Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour beef or pork)

Tangsuyuk is a Chinese sweet and sour pork (or beef) dish adapted for Korean taste. It’s a beloved Korean-Chinese dish along with the two noodle dishes, jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) and jjambbong (spicy noodle soup). You’ll find it surprisingly easy to make!

15. Japchae (stir-fried starch noodles with beef and vegetables)

I haven’t met any child who doesn’t like this classic noodle dish with beef and vegetables! Great as an appetizer, snack, light meal or side dish.

16. Bulgogi Cheesesteak

Cheesesteak made Korean-style with bulgogi and sautéed kimchi! It’s super easy and delicious!

17. Galbi taco (Korean-style taco with beef short ribs)

Turn your Korean BBQ short ribs into a popular Korean/Mexican fusion dish. You can also make these with bulgogi, dak (chicken) bulgogi, or dweji (pork) bulgogi. A delicious way to use up the leftover marinated meat too!

18. Dak bulgogi (Korean BBQ Chicken)

Another easy dinner recipe that’s hugely popular on the blog. The bite size chicken pieces marinate and cook quickly, making this dish another great option for a weeknight meal!

19. Eomuk guk (Korean fish cake soup)

Skewered eomuk simmered in a light savory broth is hugely popular at street food carts and stalls in Korea. At home, eomuk guk can be prepared without skewers as an easy everyday soup!

20. Gamjaguk (potato soup with tofu and starch noodles)

This simple potato soup is one of my childhood favorite soups! There are many different ways to make gamjaguk, but this recipe is how my mother used to make it when we were growing up.

*This is an update of the original one that was posted in September 2018.