Top 5 Ingredients for Authentic Korean Cooking at Home

Korean cuisine has taken the world by storm – and for good reason. With bold flavors, fermented ingredients, and easy-to-follow recipes, it’s perfect for both beginners and experienced home cooks. If you’ve ever wanted to make dishes like bibimbap, kimchi stew, or tteokbokki, these five staples are a great place to start.

1. Gochujang – the flavor-packed chili paste

Slightly sweet, spicy, and full of umami, gochujang is a fermented Korean red chili paste used in almost every traditional dish. It adds depth to marinades, soups, stews, or even rice bowls. Some even stir it into pasta or sandwich spreads for a spicy kick.

2. Kimchi – a must-have side with a kick

Kimchi is fermented napa cabbage with chili, garlic, and ginger – a cornerstone of Korean food. Whether served on the side, tossed into fried rice, or simmered in soups, it brings both heat and probiotics. There are also vegan and gluten-free varieties.

3. Soy Sauce – the foundation of Korean flavor

Korean soy sauce is milder and slightly sweeter than Chinese or Japanese versions. It comes in two types:
– Light soy sauce (yangjo ganjang) is thinner and saltier, great for soups and stir-fries
– Dark soy sauce (jin ganjang) is thicker, richer, and gives dishes a deeper color and taste

Used in everything from bulgogi to japchae, it’s a core ingredient in any Korean pantry.

4. Sesame Oil – for that final aromatic touch

Toasted sesame oil is one of the most recognizable Korean flavors. It’s never used for cooking over heat — instead, just a few drops at the end of a dish (over rice, soup, or veggies) make a huge difference in aroma and taste.

5. Tteok – chewy Korean rice cakes

Tteok are the chewy rice cakes often found in tteokbokki. Their neutral flavor soaks up sauces perfectly, making them ideal for both savory and sweet Korean dishes. They’re a must if you want to recreate Korean street food at home.

You don’t need complicated tools or hard-to-find ingredients to get started with Korean cooking. With just a few authentic staples, you’ll be able to whip up bold, satisfying meals that bring Korean flavor into your kitchen.

All the ingredients mentioned here — from gochujang and kimchi to soy sauce, sesame oil, and tteok — are available at Rice Kakis, both in our Zagreb stores and through our webshop.