12 Most Popular Foods That Koreans Eat for Breakfast
Here are 12 foods that Koreans eat for breakfast.
Korean breakfast is different for everyone. When I first visited Korea, I had many options to choose from. Some studies have shown that most Koreans eat white rice with banchan. Plain white rice with side dishes like kimchi and bean sprouts.
This breakfast is very easy to prepare and will fill you up. I have been eating rice with banchan for the past few years. If you’ve never tried it before, try making it at home. Very easy and fast. You can also add other side dishes like cucumbers or even roast beef. What you like is really up to you.
- Banana White Rice
White rice with banchan is very popular in Korea and is a traditional dish that people used to eat. It moves from grandparents to grandchildren. Breakfast in Korea has become more modern and nowadays people eat almost anything.
Because everyone’s tastes are different, there is no definite recipe or food that everyone eats for breakfast. Fortunately, white rice with banchan is still a very popular Korean breakfast and is great to try for yourself. It is very easy to cook and can also be eaten for lunch or dinner.
Banchan are basically side dishes like bean sprouts and kimchi that you eat with plain rice. Even better with a little sesame oil.
- Kimchi Fried Rice
Kimchi fried rice is one of those dishes that everyone has heard and tried before. Kimchi fried rice is very easy to make and many people love it. Especially the younger generation eats plenty of kimchi fried rice, as you can prepare it according to your own taste.
My favorite thing about this breakfast is that you have a hot meal and it prepares very quickly. It takes less than 10 minutes and you can even have some meat in the fried rice.
Most people who eat kimchi fried rice are often those who don’t have much time. A quick 10 to 15 minute breakfast and they’ll work.
- Instant Ramen Noodles
Instant noodles are extremely popular around the world. Not only Koreans but many people around the world eat it for breakfast. It is easy, fast and delicious. It may not be the healthiest breakfast and yet it is very good.
Many Koreans often eat instant noodles as a snack at night. You really don’t see many Koreans eating instant ramen noodles for breakfast. It’s not the healthiest and Koreans are known to eat healthy meals for breakfast.
Almost everyone has had instant noodles for breakfast because it’s easy, but remember not to do it all the time. Eating too many packets of noodles can cause you to gain too much weight, so avoid trying to track your food intake throughout the day.
- Samgyeopsal with Lettuce and Kimchi
This Korean breakfast is not like you see every day, but still some people eat samgyeopsal for breakfast. It is very popular in Korea because it is delicious.
You don’t see these types of breakfasts very often as they are not the healthiest, but few people eat them for breakfast. It’s easy and you just need to grill the meat to cook it.
Normally people would eat samgyeopsal in the evening after a night of hard work with some.
This breakfast is not a traditional meal as you can literally eat it anywhere in the world.
- Bulgogi with Rice
Bulgogi is spicy beef and is usually eaten with rice. Bulgogi is great if you don’t have much time in the morning. It’s super easy to make and you can order from an app these days. Within 10 minutes, it’s usually delivered to your home and your breakfast is ready.
It is a very popular Korean dish and popular among all generations. If you have never heard or tasted Bulgogi before. I highly recommend doing this as it is very good and easy to do yourself.
Bulgogi is often ordered at Korean barbecue restaurants, but some people eat it for breakfast.
- Seaweed Soup
Seaweed soup is very popular in Korea and it is very easy to make Korean breakfast. One fact you may not know is seaweed soup is usually eaten when it’s someone’s birthday. My favorite thing about seaweed soup for breakfast is that you can mix it with rice.
This is a traditional Korean breakfast and you can add other ingredients if you want. Most of my Korean friends eat seaweed soup for breakfast almost every week.
The soup is easy and if you’ve never had seaweed soup in the morning, I highly recommend you try it because it’s mind-blowing how good it is.
- Bibimbap
Bibimbap is great for breakfast, it’s easy to make and healthy. I mostly eat it for lunch, but it’s also great to eat as breakfast. Many Koreans eat bibimbap and it is very popular in Seoul. You can find Bibimbap on almost every street and make it even better by adding other ingredients to your taste.
There are many ways to make bibimbap. The easiest way to do this is to cook some rice. Put it in a bowl with some vegetables on top and don’t forget to add sesame oil. Sesame oil is great if you mix it with rice.
Other ingredients such as spicy sauces can also be added to bibimbap. Spicy Korean dishes are very popular in Korea, especially bibimbap.
- Jajangmyeon (Black Bean Noodles)
Jajangmyeon, noodles in black bean sauce with some pickles on the side. Most people order jajangmyeon to take away, and it’s easy, quick, and great for breakfast. It may not be the best breakfast if you are on a diet or want to lose weight.
