Delicious Vocabulary About Food In Korean: 33+Tasty Words

vocabulary about food in korean- korean food

Have you ever seen a 먹방 (Muk-bang)? If so, you probably know some vocabulary about food in Korean. However, we’ll explain briefly if you don’t know what it is. A Muk-bang is a show recorded or broadcast on the internet where people eat large portions of food while interacting with their audience. These shows have become so popular that they have spread to other cultures.

With the popularity of K-pop and K-dramas, South Korea has caught the attention of the whole world. At the same time, Korean has become one of the most popular languages among the young generation. Furthermore, with the explosion of Korean culture, more and more people are interested in trying Korean dishes to experience the feeling their favorite actors and idols portray when eating 한식 (Hansik)

Given these reasons, we thought this would be an excellent opportunity to share a little about Korean cuisine and food and drink vocabulary. So, if you’re ready to work up your appetite, let’s get started!

Korean Cuisine

Korean cuisine has become significantly popular in recent years; its gastronomy is mainly based on rice, vegetables, and meat. Traditional Korean meals are known for the wide variety of side dishes (반찬; banchan) that are regularly served with steamed rice. Another fundamental element of Korean cuisine is Kimchi. It is a staple, and most Koreans eat it with almost every meal.

Kimchi is made with fermented vegetables. Usually, napa cabbage, Korean radish, or cucumber are commonly fermented in a brine of ginger, garlic, scallions, and hot peppers. There are many variations of Kimchi, and its preparation differs from region to region. As we mentioned, it is served as a side dish or prepared in soups and other dishes. Koreans generally make enough Kimchi to last through the winter, as fermented food can last quite a long time. Kimchi is not only delicious, but it has many nutritional properties.

Korean bbq-vocabulary about food in korean

Korean BBQ

Korean barbecue is such an essential part of Korean gastronomy that it deserves its own section. The 고기구이 (gogigu-i, grilled meat) is a set of Korean dishes made from grilled meats of different types: beef, pork, and chicken. Usually, these dishes are prepared on tabletop grills built from gas or charcoal. Some Korean restaurants have built-in grill tables, but the ones that don’t provide customers with portable stoves to be used at the tables. If you want to learn more about Korean BBQ, we have a post dedicated specifically to this topic. Check it out!

Korean Words For Food And Drinks

Now, let’s take a look at the vocabulary related to food and drinks in Korea. Check out all the words you have learned from watching Korean dramas and Muk-bangs.

EnglishKoreanTranscriptionSound
Potato감자Gamja
Chili Powder고춧가루Gochutgaru
Green OnionPa
Carrot당근Danggeun
WaterMul
Beer맥주Maekju
Juice주스Juseu
Tomato토마토Tomato
Peach복숭아Boksunga
Soda탄산음료Tansaneumnyo
Soju소주Soju
Plum자두Jadu
Sweet Potato고구마Goguma
Garlic마늘Maneul
HoneyKkul
Butter버터Beoteo
Ketchup케첩Kecheop
Cauliflower꽃양배추Kkonnyangbaechu
TeaCha
Vinegar식초Sikcho
Pasta파스타Paseuta
Sugar설탕Seoltang
Red Pepper고추Gochu
CornKon
BreadPpang
Grape포도Podo
Parsley파슬리Paseulli
Chili Pepper Paste고추장Gochujang
Ginger생강Saenggang
Eggplant가지Gaji
Lettuce상추Sangchu
Rice Wine막걸리Makgeolli
Flour밀가루Milgaru
Banana바나나Banana
Papaya파파야Papaya
Hot Sauce핫 소스Hat soseu
Baking Soda중조Jungjo
Bell Pepper피망Pimang
Asparagus아스파라거스Aseuparageoseu
Bok Choy청경채Cheonggyeongchae
(Chinese) Cabbage양배추Yangbaechu
RiceBap
Pumpkin호박Hobak
Zucchini애호박Aehobak
Black Pepper후추Huchu
Mango망고Manggo
Milk우유Uyu
Apple사과Sagwa
Cinnamon시나몬Sinamon
Spinach시금치Sigeumchi
BeansKong
Ginseng인삼Insam
Scallion봄양파Bomyangpa
Mayonnaise마요네즈Mayonejeu
Orange오렌지Orenji
PersimmonGam
Coca Cola콜라Kolla
RadishMu
Mushroom버섯Beoseot
Beetroot비트Biteu
Strawberry딸기Ttalgi
Celery셀러리Selleori
Salt소금Sogeum
Melon멜론Mellon
Watermelon수박Subak
Pea완두콩Wandukong
Pomegranate석류Seongnyu
Broccoli브로콜리Beurokolli
Coffee커피Keopi
Oil기름Gireum
Onion양파Yangpa
Sesame Oil참기름Chamgireum
Bean Sprouts콩나물Kongnamul
Mandarin, TangerineGyul
Lotus Root연근Yeongeun
Soy Sauce간장Ganjang
Cucumber오이Oi
Seaweed해초Haecho

After talking so much about food, you must be hungry. Maybe you are considering visiting a Korean restaurant and trying various Korean dishes. If that’s the case, it would be good for you to look at this article we have on how to order food in Korean; you will be able to learn all the words and phrases you need to succeed on your next visit to a 한식당.

Speak Korean Confidently With Ling

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Have you ever felt that even though you have the vocabulary, you are not confident enough to speak Korean? Perhaps you can understand what Korean speakers say, but you find it difficult to respond. To achieve fluency, it is necessary to exercise conversational skills. If you don’t have the opportunity to practice with Korean speakers, the Ling app will be a game changer.

With the Ling app, you can take your Korean learning experience to the next level with several lessons designed to fulfill your language learning needs. On top of that, you can download it for free from the App Store or Play Store. So get it now to immerse yourself in the world of the Korean language! 다음에 만나요!

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