What Do Koreans Eat For Breakfast?

In Korea, breakfast is a very important meal. It’s considered the most important meal of the day, and people often eat a hearty breakfast to start their day off right. There are many different types of korean breakfasts, and each one is unique and delicious in its own way.

Today, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular korean breakfast foods. If you are planning to go to Korea soon, then this article will be perfect for you!

Popular Korean breakfasts include Gyeran-bbang, Korean street toast, pajeon, bibimbap, kimchi fried rice, mandu, kimchi eggs, dakjuk, porridge, hobakjuk, kimchi jjigae, etc.

What Do Koreans Eat For Breakfast?

Over the course of many centuries, Korean cuisine has evolved. Korean cuisine has developed through a complex interaction of the natural environment and various cultural tendencies, having its roots in ancient agricultural and nomadic practices in the Korean peninsula and southern Manchuria.

The meals and ingredients vary by province, yet many regional foods have gained national recognition, and recipes that were once local have spread across the nation in numerous iterations. The staples of Korean cuisine include rice, veggies, and meats.

The variety of side dishes served with steam-cooked short-grain rice distinguishes traditional Korean dinners from other cuisines. Sesame oil, doenjang (fermented bean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, gochujang (fermented red chili paste), cabbage, and other ingredients are frequently used.

Except for being slightly lighter, a traditional Korean breakfast is not all that different from the other meals of the day (or with fewer banchan, or side dishes). The typical breakfast consists of rice, a small bowl of soup or stew, and a variety of banchan.

This breakfast features grilled short ribs (galbi), spicy seafood salad, bean sprout rice (kongnamul bab), spicy stewed fish, cold cucumber soup (oi naengguk), seasoned kelp, and radish strip kimchi since a traditional Korean breakfast contains rice, soup, meat, and a wide assortment of side dishes (moo saengchae).

Traditional Korean Breakfast

1. Korean Egg Bread (Gyeran-bbang)

Gyeran bbang

Gyeran-bbang, sometimes referred to as Korean egg bread, is one of the numerous well-liked and generally accessible street snacks in the nation.

It is a straightforward but unexpectedly tasty recipe that takes you on a gradual journey of the optimum harmony of sweet and salty flavors, making it the perfect brunch snack.

They are created with a variety of toppings, including cheese slices, mushrooms, ham, bacon, and sausage. Enjoy them with your loved ones while drizzling on your favorite sauces!

2. Street Toast (Gilgeori Toast)

Gilgeori Toast

The gilgeori toast, which is not your typical sandwich, is another preferred street dish. With a plethora of vegetables sandwiched between buttery toast, each bite can reveal a mouthwatering blend of sweet and salty flavors.

The snack serves as a superb grab-and-go meal for both breakfast and lunch. In Korea, gilgeory toast is known as “street toast” and is widely available from street sellers.

For many people who grew up there, it serves both a snack and a source of nostalgia.

3. Savory Pancakes (Pajeon)

Pajeon

Every walk-in and Korean restaurant extols the virtues of these pancakes. Every menu will have a section devoted to them, which if you are in Korea right now and haven’t tried it, you should try the Korean savory pancakes, it is worth your time!

The meal is produced using a batter of eggs, wheat flour, rice flour, and other ingredients as requested, with scallions serving as the main element.

These savory pancakes are typically made with pork, beef, kimchi (kimchijeon), shellfish (haemul pajeon), and other seafood. The dipping sauces that go with this crispy treat are also the ideal side dishes.

4. Bibimbap

Bibimbap

There are countless variants of this recipe, and it would work well with any ingredients you wanted to add. In Korea, the words “bibim” and “bap” both refer to mixing.

Warm white steamed rice is served with a variety of toppings, including kimchi, meat, eggs, vegetables of many kinds, and sauces like gochujang, soy sauce, doenjang, or namul for additional taste.

Have any leftovers from the night before? Simply go ahead and prepare some delectable bibimbap for yourself. For me, bibimbap is a simply great dish you must try, it has lots of nutrients, and assortments of ingredients that makes it so great.

5. Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi Fried Rice

Since Korea is the home of kimchi, kimchi fried rice is very common. In order to give additional texture and flavor, several types of meat and veggies are incorporated. It is among the most well-liked methods of consuming aged, ripened kimchi. 

The best method to use up leftover rice and other foods in the fridge is to make kimchi fried rice. Kimchi juice that has undergone fermentation is the ideal seasoning for rice. 

Depending on your desire, you can add gochujang and gochugaru for an extra spicy sensation.

6. Porridge (dakjuk)

dakjuk

Make dakjuk the next time it’s chilly and rainy in the morning for the best start to the day. Traditional Korean chicken porridge known as dakjuk is made from a variety of grains, proteins, and vegetables. 

The meal is a family favorite since it makes a healthy, filling breakfast. In addition to this chicken porridge, other common types of porridge in Korea include those made with red beans, pumpkin, pine nuts, and abalone. 

So it is impossible for you to grow bored of eating the same thing every day. Find your ideal dakjuk combination by attempting a fresh variety each time.

7. Dumplings (Mandoo)

Mandoo

Mandu or Mandoo are traditional and simple to prepare Korean dumplings. There are no restrictions on how they can be customized; they are typically stuffed with a combination of meat and veggies. 

Those cooked with ground beef or pig, onion, cabbage, tofu, and mung bean noodles are the most well-liked. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, including boiling, deep frying, pan frying, steaming, and oven baking. 

You can prepare them in bulk for storage if you need to get out the door quickly in the mornings. These dumplings are beloved for being so adaptable and delectable. They are substantial enough for a main dish but also ideal as a snack or appetizer. 

Families prepare mandu as part of the Korean Lunar New Year celebrations because it is a sign of good fortune for the upcoming year.

Popular Korean Breakfast

8. Kimchi Eggs

Kimchi Eggs

Have you ever tried kimchi eggs? The dish taste really great, but what makes it so great? Firstly, don’t be fooled; it’s not only a fermented, lemony mixture of shredded vegetables; it’s also packed with good bacteria that give every dish the ideal amount of tang.

You’ll be astounded by the crisp, delicious punch the kimchi and your traditional egg breakfast deliver in each bite.

To try something different, mix kimchi with cream cheese and scallions and thickly spread it on bread before topping with a sunny-side-up egg. Eggs can also be softly scrambled for a fluffy bite.

9. Gimbap

Gimbap

Gimbap is a popular Korean dish that consists of cooked white rice and other ingredients such as vegetables, ham, egg, and pickled radish, all rolled up in sheets of dried seaweed.

It is often served as a meal or snack at home or in restaurants. Gimbap can be made in various forms; it can include different ingredients and be served with a variety of condiments.

10. Hobakjuk

Hobakjuk

If you are familiar with Korean cooking, you are aware of how inventive their dishes can be.

And there is little denying that the outcomes are delectable. Hobakjuk has a porridge base, much to Dakjuk, and pumpkin is the primary ingredient.

The perfectly balanced Hobakjuk is made when creamed pumpkin and glutinous rice flour are combined.

From the moment I first sampled this dish, I became addicted. The flavor is naturally sweet, nutty, and velvety, melting in the tongue with each bite. I simply could not get enough of it.

11. Korean Pork Belly (Bossam)

Bossam

Another name for the Korean pork belly wrap is bossam.

This recipe can be made as light as possible with a variety of veggies by omitting any constraints or specific ingredients.

If you want to balance off the richness of the pork belly, fantastic vegetables to add to your Bossam include lettuce, pickled radish, and even sweet rice.

Do you enjoy eating a large, filling breakfast to stave off hunger pangs throughout the day? The rich, savory Bossam must be served for breakfast.

If you enjoy meat, add more pig belly to your Bossam and less garnishing. I recommend letting the pork belly simmer until it falls off the bone for an overpoweringly beefy flavor.

12. Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona Coffee

I’m addicted to coffee! But I like my coffee chilled, unlike many others who love to drink their caffeine hot and burning.

This doesn’t just mean adding ice cubes to my milk coffee; I always love to use Dalgona.

When netizens started posting videos of this lovely, foamy drink on multiple platforms in 2020, it gained popularity due to its simplicity and was named after a well-known Korean confectionery.

With just four ingredients, you can produce the greatest homemade frappe-style coffee you can think of. Simply mix instant coffee, sugar, and water to create a paste.

The paste should be whisked continuously until it transforms from a dark, rich brown to a fluffy, light color with a hint of caramel.

After adding a tablespoon or two of the dalgona mixture and carefully combining the two components, fill your mug with milk. And presto! You already have a mug of high-end coffee at home.

13. Kimchi Jjigae

Kimchi Jjigae

The most popular Korean breakfast dish that you can prepare at home without making a huge mess in the morning is this one-pot stew.

Kimchi Jjigae is a dish that combines kimchi with other ingredients of your choice, such as tofu, pork, fish, or other lean proteins, as well as veggies like scallions, onions, and cherry tomatoes.

Simply combine soy sauce, gochujang, gochugaru, garlic, kimchi, protein, vegetables, and seasonings in a bowl with water or stock to make this hearty stew.

14. Korean Mushroom Pancakes

Korean Mushroom Pancakes

Did you know about mushroom pancakes? They are one of the great way to enjoy pancakes, especially if you like mushrooms. Korea is no exception to this, as they have numerous ways to make pancakes, which is Korean mushroom pancakes. Enoki mushrooms are used in making mushroom pancakes.

Personally, I like pancake, especially when I want to fully avoid meat, this is all I want for breakfast.

They may appear difficult to build, yet they are anything but. Enoki mushrooms should be roughly separated, then they should be covered in eggs, flour, and sesame oil before being rolled around.

15. Gyeran Jjim

Gyeran Jjim

The texture of the Korean steamed eggs, known as Gyeran Jjim, is silky and smooth, resembling scrambled eggs.

Gyeranjjim is a salty egg custard dish from Korea. Gyeran denotes eggs, and jjim denotes a dish that is steaming.

This meal is also known as dalgyaljjim since eggs are also known as dalgyal in Korean. At the Korean table, Gyeran Jjim is a well-liked and frequently offered banchan (side dish). There is nothing better than these light-as-air, remarkably puffy, and umami-filled fluffy steamed eggs!

16. Korean Egg Roll

Korean Egg Roll

Korean egg roll is a popular breakfast dish that consists of eggs, vegetables, and often meat or seafood wrapped in a thin pastry. It is usually served with a spicy kimchi dip for added flavor. The dish is easy to make and can be eaten as part of a larger meal or enjoyed as an individual snack.

Egg rolls can also be served as a side dish with other Korean dishes such as jjajangmyeon or bibimbap.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do Koreans eat meat for breakfast?

For breakfast, Koreans adore foods that contain beef. They have barbecue, particularly the bulgogi, which is thinly sliced marinated meat and may also be served for dinner. Another is samgyeopsal, which is an unseasoned pig belly served with kimchi and wrapped in lettuce leaves. It’s typical to eat banchan or side dishes.

2. What do Korean people eat daily?

The primary cuisine of the Korean diet is short-grain sticky rice, which is typically eaten with the fermented cabbage, garlic, and pepper dish kimchi (think sauerkraut with hot sauce).

3. What eggs do Korean people eat?

The delicacy known as Mayak Eggs, or Mayak Gyeran, is very well-liked in Korea! In its literal sense, the phrase alludes to how addictive these eggs may be. These eggs are excellent for breakfast or as a traditional Korean side dish because of their incredible flavor (banchan).

4. Why do Korean people eat a lot of eggs?

How come Koreans must consume so many eggs? Like beef, eggs were once regarded as a rare and expensive delicacy. Years ago, some traditional Koreans believed that only respected male family members should be offered eggs.

Conclusion

In Korea, there are a lot of breakfast options with ingredients such as rice, kimchi, beef, eggs, etc.

All of the foods are considered staple for Korean people, especially something like Kimchi Jjigae, Kimchi Fried Rice, Dakjuk, Hobakjuk, Gyeran Jjim, and Gyeran-bbang. All of them are simply delicious, which you have to try at least once. Thanks for reading this article, let me know your thoughts in the comment below!

I’m a passionate food blogger on a journey to become a go-to person who can help others prepare delicious foods. I share recipes, food substitutes, and other cooking tips. Read more about my journey...

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