10 Korean dishes to savour now – from fried chicken to kimchi dumplings and stuffed pancakes
Listen to Course
0:00
0:00
EN: The Present Continuous tense (am/is/are + verb-ing) is used here to describe a changing situation or a trend happening around now.
The weather is becoming cold.
EN: The UK has seen a significant rise in the popularity of East Asian food over the last decade, with Korean food moving from niche markets to mainstream supermarkets and high streets.
EN: The phrase 'More and more' is used to describe something that is increasing in number or amount over time.
More and more students are learning English online.
EN: Korean food has seen a massive surge in popularity in Western countries like the UK due to the 'Korean Wave' (Hallyu), which includes K-pop and K-dramas.
EN: Using 'and' to list multiple items: When listing three or more things, use commas between the items and put 'and' before the last one.
I like apples, bananas, and oranges.
EN: Bibimbap, bulgogi, and tteokbokki are the most famous Korean dishes globally. Their popularity in the UK shows how international food culture is expanding beyond traditional local choices.
EN: Using 'with' to describe ingredients or parts of something. It helps you add more details to a main noun.
I like pizza with extra cheese.
EN: Bibimbap is a signature Korean dish. The 'hot bowl' mentioned is often a stone bowl (dolsot), which keeps the food warm and makes the rice at the bottom crispy.
EN: The word 'cooked' is a past participle used as an adjective to describe the meat. It tells us how the meat was prepared.
I like fish fried with lemon.
EN: Bulgogi is a classic Korean dish. The name literally means 'fire meat' in Korean, referring to the traditional way of grilling it over an open flame.
EN: The verb 'is' connects a subject to a description. Use 'is' for singular items to say what something is or what it is like.
Bibimbap is a healthy meal.
EN: Tteokbokki is a classic Korean street food. It is known for its chewy texture (often called 'QQ' in some Asian cultures) and its balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
EN: Use 'one of the + superlative adjective + plural noun' to talk about one person or thing in a group that has the most of a quality.
London is one of the most famous cities.
EN: Korean fried chicken has become a global phenomenon, often called 'KFC'. Unlike American fried chicken, it is known for its double-frying technique which makes the skin extra crispy and less greasy.
EN: The phrase 'be different from' is used to show that two things are not the same.
My car is different from yours.
EN: Korean fried chicken is famous for its thin, crackly crust, which is achieved by frying the chicken twice. This is a key difference from the thicker, breaded crust often found in American-style fried chicken.
EN: Use 'so' to connect a cause and a result. The first part is the reason, and the second part is the outcome.
The weather was cold, so I wore a jacket.
EN: In the context of Korean fried chicken, the 'thin coating' refers to the use of potato starch or cornstarch instead of thick flour batter, which is a key difference from American-style fried chicken.
EN: The phrase 'to make it' uses 'to + verb' (infinitive) to show the purpose or reason for an action.
I exercise every day to stay healthy.
EN: Double-frying is a signature technique in making Korean fried chicken. Unlike American styles, this method removes fat from the skin, creating a very thin, crackly crust that stays crispy even when coated in sauce.
EN: The word 'with' is used here to describe what is inside or part of the sauces. It connects the main item (sauces) to its ingredients (chilli and garlic).
I like pizza with extra cheese.
EN: Chilli and garlic are foundational ingredients in Korean cuisine, providing the signature bold and spicy flavor profiles found in many traditional dishes.
EN: Using 'and' to connect two simple sentences with the same subject.
The soup is hot and it is very tasty.
EN: Bristol is a major city in South West England known for its vibrant food scene and diverse international influences, which explains why Korean cuisine is thriving there.
EN: The word 'another' is used with a singular noun to talk about one more person or thing of the same type.
I want another cup of tea.
EN: Kimchi is a staple in Korean meals, often served as a side dish (banchan). It reflects the traditional Korean practice of fermenting vegetables to preserve them through the winter.
EN: Using 'with' to describe ingredients or parts of something.
It is pizza with cheese and tomato.
EN: Kimchi is the national dish of Korea. While cabbage is the most common ingredient, there are hundreds of varieties made with different vegetables.
EN: Use 'so' to connect two sentences where the second part is the result of the first part.
It is raining, so I will take an umbrella.
EN: Kimchi is a fermented food. The longer it is kept, the more lactic acid is produced, which gives it its signature sour flavor. This process is essential to traditional Korean food preservation.
EN: The Present Simple tense is used to describe facts or things that are true right now. In this sentence, 'sell' shows a current business activity.
Many people in the UK like tea.
EN: The increasing availability of kimchi and gochujang in UK supermarkets shows how Korean food has moved from niche specialty shops to mainstream British culture.
EN: Using 'is a' to define something. We use the structure [Subject] + is + a/an + [Noun] to explain what something is.
Kimchi is a healthy vegetable dish.
EN: Gochujang is a fundamental ingredient in Korean cooking. Its popularity in the UK has grown significantly due to the influence of celebrity chefs and the global trend of Korean culture.
EN: Using 'like' to give examples: We use 'like' followed by a noun to show a specific example of a group.
I enjoy sports like tennis and swimming.
EN: Jamie Oliver is a world-famous British chef known for his simple recipes and healthy eating campaigns. His use of ingredients like gochujang reflects how international flavors are becoming mainstream in British home cooking.
EN: Use 'went up by' to describe the amount or percentage of change in a value.
The price of milk went up by 10 percent.
EN: Gochujang is a fundamental ingredient in Korean cooking. Its rising popularity in the UK shows how international food trends are influenced by celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver.
EN: The Present Continuous tense (am/is/are + verb-ing) is used here to describe a situation that is currently changing or developing over time.
The number of students is growing every day.
EN: The popularity of Korean culture, often called the 'Hallyu' or Korean Wave, has led to a significant increase in Korean food festivals across the UK, moving beyond just London to other major cities.
EN: The phrase 'take place' is a common phrasal verb used to say that an event happens, especially something that was planned.
The party will take place at my house.
EN: London is a multicultural hub where international food festivals are very common. 'Jung' refers to a Korean concept of deep connection and affection, which is a fitting name for a community food event.
EN: The phrase 'to try' is an infinitive used to show purpose. It explains 'why' the people were waiting.
I went to the shop to buy some milk.
EN: In the UK, 'queuing' (waiting in lines) is a well-known cultural habit. People value fairness and will wait patiently for popular food, especially at international food festivals in cities like London.
EN: Use 'was/were' to talk about facts or states in the past. 'Was' is used for singular subjects like 'Korean fried chicken'.
The pizza was very delicious yesterday.
EN: In the UK, 'takeaway' refers to food cooked in a restaurant but eaten at home. It is equivalent to 'takeout' in American English.
EN: Use 'will' followed by the base form of a verb to talk about things that happen in the future.
More people will visit the UK next year.
EN: The increasing number of Korean restaurants in the UK reflects the global 'Hallyu' (Korean Wave), where Korean pop culture and food have gained massive international popularity.
EN: The phrase 'It is a great time to...' is used to suggest that the current situation is perfect for a specific action.
It is a great time to visit the park.
EN: The phrase 'for yourself' emphasizes personal experience. In the context of food, it encourages the reader to move beyond just hearing about the trend and to actually taste the flavors personally.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
to happen or occur
to stand in a queue for a long time
to increase in price, amount, or level
chicken pieces that have been coated with seasoned flour or batter and pan-fried, deep fried, or pressure fried