As promised, here are my recommendations for 5 amazing Korean foods to try!

1. Bibimbap

In Korean, bibimbap translates to "mixed rice". Bibimbap is a hearty dish composed of many ingredients, including rice, mixed vegetables (including zucchini, cucumber, mushrooms, and soybean sprouts), proteins (including eggs and meats such as beef, chicken, or pork), and sauces/seasoning (such as red pepper paste and sesame oil). An interesting flavor component of bibimbap is the inclusion of bracken fern stems, which resemble shriveled brown intestines after having been cooked and provide a surprising strong salty flavor to the dish. If you are in Austin, two places to try bibimbap include Oma's Kitchen in the Dobie Center and K-bop on the Drag.

2. Bulgogi

Bulgogi is a delicious dish composed of a protein (usually grilled and marinated beef, but can also be made with chicken or pork), grilled green peppers, and grilled onions/garlic. It is often served with many side dishes, with the most common side dishes including rice or a bed of lettuce.

3. Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is composed of a soft rice cake, fish cake, and a sweet red chili sauce. In many restaurants, the cake is served rolled up in seaweed and resembles a giant sushi ball. If you are in Austin, K-Bop offers many types of tteokbokki that are sure to fill you up.

4. Shin Ramyun Ramen (made by Nongshim)

Shin Ramyun Ramen is an instant ramen mix created by the company Nongshim. The red colored packets signify the medium-spicy level (which is still quite spicy) and the black colored packets (not shown) signify the extremely-spicy level. I have been warned about the spiciness level of the black-colored packets, but I do want to try them one day to see if I can handle the heat. These ramen packets can be found at any Korean supermarket near you.

5. Kimchi

Kimchi is probably the most distinctively Korean food to the novice Korean food eater. It is a traditional dish that is often made in a unique fashion in each household and can contain hundreds of varieties. In its most basic form, kimchi is any combination of fermented vegetables that is usually mixed with sweet red chili sauce. In most Korean dishes, cabbage is used to make kimchi. The flavor of kimchi is complex; it is both tangy and sweet to the taste (but not like that of an orange!). Kimchi pairs well with nearly all Korean dishes, and as a result, it is offered on the side of many dishes in Korean restaurants here and in Korea.

Tune in next week as I review some of my favorite Italian foods!