Blog on 15 Must-Try Korean Food on Indian Trains
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Korean cuisine has acquired a massive following worldwide due to its rich aromatic flavours and distinct tastes. Recently, Korean dishes have started getting immense love and appreciation in India, especially from the younger population. Consequently, many eateries have introduced Korean cuisine to their menus across different parts of the country.
Korean food should be on your bucket list if you are always on a quest to try new foods. Though Ramen and Kimchi are the most advertised Korean food items, there is a wide range of Korean foods you can now try in India. You can also try many well-known Korean dishes during train journeys via order food in train services.
An Overview of the Korean Culinary
If you’re a food enthusiast, you might be aware of how acclaimed Korean cuisine is on the global cuisine map. Korean cuisine is also an acquired taste, just like other Asian cuisines. Due to their unique flavours, Korean dishes promise to deliver an outstanding experience to your taste buds. It includes a main and a side dish and incorporates five key colours of traditional Korean cuisine: green, red, yellow, white, and black. All these colours symbolise a direction, a natural element, and a health advantage.
If you are interested in relishing Korean cuisine but are clueless about how to begin, here is a list of must-try Korean food on trains.
1. Kimchi (Spicy Fermented Vegetables)
When it comes to Korean food, Kimchi is the first thing we usually associate with. Tasting Kimchi will allow you to get acquainted with Korean cuisine in the best way. Kimchi is a spicy, sour, fermented dish, usually prepared with cabbage as its main ingredient. The typical yet delectable side dish is rich in fibre content with a low-calorie count. It is a must-try dish for every Korean dining affair.
2. Bibimbap (Mixed Vegetables and Rice Bowl)
Bibimbap has a reputation for being a wholesome comfort food in a bowl. It is a highly filling and mood-uplifting dish. Diverse ingredients go into creating the Bibimbab, including rice, vegetables, meat, gochujang (hot chilli paste) and a fried egg. Its garnishing includes seasoned soy sauce and sesame seeds. In ancient times, Bibimbap enjoyed the status of a royal dish but gradually gained popularity as a staple meal among Korean dishes.
3. Japchae (Stir-Fried Glass Noodles)
It is undeniably the national favourite noodle dish of Korea. The glass noodles in Japchae are clear, thin noodles that are made with sweet potatoes. The noodles are mixed in sesame oil and then stir-fried with meat, mushrooms, and other vegetables. Unlike other soupy noodle dishes in Asia, these flavorful noodles are eaten using spoons and slurped with metal chopsticks.
4. Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Vegetable Pancake)
It is one amazing dish you should put on your must-try food list if you are a seafood lover. Haemul Pajeon is a savoury pancake dish with a crunchy exterior and is prepared using rice, egg batter, green onions, and an assortment of seafood. Shellfish, oysters, shrimp, and squid are more commonly used seafood.
5. Kimbap/Gimbap (Seaweed Rice Rolls or Korean-Style Sushi)
Kimbap, often pronounced Gimbap, is a classic fast food from Korea that is similar to sushi rolls from Japan. Sushi rice, meat, spinach, and stir-fried veggies are all rolled inside a seaweed wrap. Afterwards, the rolls are further sliced into small round pieces and offered with Kimchi as a side dish.
6. Tteokbokki (Spicy Red Rice Cake)
It is a popular Korean street snack consisting of sugary and chewy rice and fish cakes. A special sauce preparation of chilli paste and soybean paste is tossed into the mix of steamed rice cakes, fish cakes, and scallions. This delectable street dish is a must-try for those who prefer hot and fiery flavours.
7. Jjajangmyeon(Thicker and Dark Noodle Dish)
It was originally Chinese cuisine, but the Koreans adopted it and transformed it into a thicker, extra flavourful, and more delicious dish. This Korean-Chinese fusion cuisine is enjoyed at least once a week by Koreans. Salty black soybean paste, chopped pork, and veggies are combined with thick, hand-made wheat noodles to prepare Jjajangmyeon.
8. Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-fried Chicken)
Due to its low cost and generous serving sizes, Dakgalbi is a popular chicken dish. This meal is made using diced chicken marinated in a Gochujang (red chilli paste) spice and mixed with tteok (rice cakes) and a variety of vegetables, including sweet potatoes, cabbage, and perilla leaves.
9. Jjigae Sundubu (Soft Tofu Stew)
This soft tofu stew contains an eclectic mix of flavours. Several ingredients, such as tofu, vegetables, pork, shellfish, chilli paste, and a raw egg, are included in preparing this well-known Korean stew. Afterwards, the stew is served with rice and Kimchi in a huge stone bowl.
With regional variations, this spicy stew is a wonderful fusion of interesting flavours, creating refreshing feelings.
10. Bingsu (Shaved ice dessert)
In the summer, the shaved ice treat called Bingsu is available practically all across Korea. This dessert is made from ice shavings with a range of sweet toppings. From red beans and condensed milk to fruit syrup and chopped fruit, there are many interesting toppings for Bingsu.
11. Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancakes)
A popular street dish in Korea, Hotteok is often made with a filling of almonds, cinnamon, and brown sugar and pan-fried in some oil. Some contemporary Hotteok varieties are loaded with cheese or veggies instead, which makes them particularly popular in the winter.
12. Korean Ramyun (Instant Noodles)
A favourite among millennials, ramen is probably the most common Korean food. These fast-food noodles are available in every Korean grocery store and have now been introduced to India. Moreover, Korean Ramen is widely available in supermarkets and can be ordered online.
13. Korean Fried Chicken
This mouthwatering chicken recipe was made popular by a Korean Drama. It is seasoned with a mixture of spices before being deep-fried repeatedly to give it a special crispy texture. Finally, it is glazed to perfection with soy sauce, garlic, and honey coating, making the dish very enticing.
14. Gamjajeon (Simple Breakfast Snack)
This classic Korean breakfast dish has only three ingredients: potato, onion, and salt. Salt is added after coarsely grating the potatoes and onions. After that, the mixture is pan-fried to achieve a gorgeous golden brown hue and a crispy texture. Hash browns and Gamjajeon are served together with a sauce that is made by swiftly combining soy sauce, vinegar, sesame seeds, and finely cut green chillies.
15. Naengmyeon (Cold buckwheat noodles)
Long, thin noodles, cucumbers, slices of Korean pear, slices of beef, and a hard-boiled egg are the main ingredients in the popular cold Korean noodle dish. It is a favourite meal, particularly in the summer when Koreans struggle with unbearably hot and humid weather.
Chinese and Japanese cuisines have long dominated the Indian dining scene. India, however, is now ready for more International food varieties, and Korea is leading the way with a new and interesting option. As per the saying, “Variety is the flavour of life”, explore the 15 Korean delicacies mentioned above. What’s more? You can also try some delectable Korean dishes on train via online food order service to make your train trip more exciting.
How Korean Food Became Popular In India?
Today, Korean culture is believed to have an immense influence on Indians and the rest of the world. K- Dramas and K- Pop culture have increased Korean food popularity in our country. The lockdown and isolation stages during the COVID pandemic favoured and boosted the Korean culture in India. The K-dramas promote both their vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes among the youth. Eventually, Indian restaurants have been inspired to provide traditional Korean delicacies to Indians.
Passengers travelling via Indian Railways can even enjoy Korean food on trains and relish their taste buds with its delectable taste.
RailRestro, an e-catering app allows rail passengers to choose their desired dish from the national or international menu and enjoy it on their train trip. RailRestro has collaborations with over 2000 well-known and FSSAI-approved food outlets and restaurants to deliver healthy, fresh, and varieties of food on trains.