Rice is a big deal in Korea.
No, seriously- it's like a national treasure or something.
But what makes Korean rice so special? For starters, rice has been a staple in Korean cuisine for centuries and can be found in almost every dish. It's also not just seen as food here- to Koreans, rice is medicine and plays a vital role in their culture and way of life.
This guide takes a closer look at Korean rice and everything that comes with it. So whether you're interested in learning more about Korean culture or just want some delicious recipes to try out, keep reading!
How Rice Became a Foundation in Korean Culture
Rice has been a part of Korean culture since ancient times, with farming first beginning in the Korean Peninsula around 2,000 BC. Early Korean rice farmers created innovative techniques like terracing and irrigation systems that helped make Korean rice one of the most sought-after grains in Asia.
Rice was used not only as a food source but also as a form of currency, and Korean royalty valued it as a symbol of prosperity and power.
Today, Korean rice is still grown in the traditional way farmers have used it for generations. Rice fields cover thousands of acres across the country, and Korean rice is known for its high quality, deep flavor, and chewy texture. It's no wonder why Korean dishes are often built around rice!
Rice in Korean Culture - More Than Just A Staple Food
Rice isn't just used to feed Korean people- it's also a part of Korean culture and way of life. To Koreans, rice isn't just a food- it's also viewed as a form of medicine. Korean families often serve rice dishes to sick family members, and many believe that consuming rice helps heal the body and improve overall health.
Korean culture also sees rice as a symbol of life and prosperity. Korean people often eat special rice dishes on holidays and special occasions as a way of celebrating and giving thanks for the good fortune that comes with living.
Sharing is a massive part of this.
Sharing rice with people, family, friends, and others you love is like sharing a part of life or sharing your property. This ties in beautifully with the sharing spirit that Koreans are famous for, especially when interacting and caring for family and neighbors.
It's quite interesting for Westerners to try and understand this concept. Rice does not exist as a single object to Koreans. It's more than that. It is a symbol of Korean culture and a way of life and conveys Korean values such as family ties, respect for elders, and generosity to others.
Rice in Korean Cuisine
When it comes to Korean cuisine, rice is the star of the show. After all, rice provides Koreans with an average of 60% of their daily energy intake, meaning rice could indeed be considered the human fuel of the country.
From Bibimbap and Japchae to Tteokbokki and Kimchi Fried Rice, Korean cooking relies heavily on this versatile grain. And when it comes to Korean cuisine, there's no category more important than side dishes.
Koreans often eat their rice with a variety of banchan- or small side dishes- like fermented vegetables, grilled fish, and spicy pickles. It's this combination of flavors that really brings Korean food to life!
But Korean rice isn't just for eating- it's also used in Korean medicine. Korean traditional medicine views food as healing, and rice has been used for centuries to treat illnesses and balance the body. Rice is boiled with herbs or consumed as congee to benefit digestion, boost immunity, and promote overall health.
Rice isn't just an important food source - it's a representation of Korean culture and way of life. From its humble beginnings as a staple in Korean cooking to its use today in medicine and Korean cuisine, rice is an essential part of Korean culture that visitors and locals alike should experience firsthand!
Different Kinds of Korean Rice
When it comes to Korean rice, there's more than one type. Korean rice is divided into two main categories- white and brown- and each has its own unique characteristics and uses.
White Rice
White Korean rice is the most popular variety of Korean rice, with a light color, fluffy texture, and mild flavor. White Korean rice is usually served as a side dish with Korean meals and can also be used to make Korean desserts like tteok (rice cakes) and boribap (barley mixed with steamed white rice).
White rice like this doesn't really have a fantastic traditional value. Because the production methods mean the rice is milled thoroughly, it lacks the husk, bran, and germ of the plant, which leaves just the basis of the rice and the starch.
However, white rice is easy to cook and tends to have the best flavor because it's plain and simple and can be mixed with pretty much any flavor, spice, or seasoning you want. It's always best to use a rice cooker if you want the best.
Short Grain White Rice
(백미, Bakmi)
Korean short-grain white rice is a slightly stickier variety of rice with a sweeter taste and softer texture. It's often used to make Korean porridge, which is eaten for breakfast or as a restorative meal during illness.
Brown Rice
Brown Korean rice has a chewy texture, nutty flavor, and dark color. It retains more of its nutrients than white Korean rice and is often served as a main dish or for special occasions. Brown Korean rice can also be used to make Korean rice cakes, porridge, and snacks.
Brown rice is fairly different from white rice in many ways and is considered healthier than white Korean rice. It's packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and is also easier to digest, far more than you'll find in white rice.
However, brown rice takes longer to cook and digest, and the taste may take some getting used to, especially if you're only used to eating white rice. Because of these differences, Koreans will commonly mix brown and white rice together.
Short Grain Brown Rice
(현미, Hyunmi)
Korean short-grain brown rice is a slightly stickier variety of rice with a sweeter taste and softer texture. It's often used to make Korean porridge, which is eaten for breakfast or as a restorative meal during illness. This is simply a shorter version of the more traditional brown rice.
Half Milled Brown Rice
(5분도미, 5 Bundomi)
Half milled Korean rice is a combination of white and brown Korean rice that has more nutrients than white Korean rice but is still light in color. It's often served as a side dish with Korean meals and used to make Korean desserts like tteok (rice cakes).
Many Koreans use this rice because it's a charming balance between taste and nutritional values, although you should avoid confusing it with the rice type Germinating Brown Rice, or Bal-a hyunmi. This rice type is unpolished and, as the name suggests, is a rice still in the process of germinating. This means the texture is a little softer than traditional brown rice but has reportedly better flavor.
Glutinous Short Grain Rice
Glutinous Korean rice is a variety of Korean rice that has a sticky texture and sweet taste. It's often used to make Korean desserts like tteok (rice cakes) and boribap (barley mixed with steamed white rice).
Wild Short Grain Rice
(야생찹쌀, Yasaeng Chapssal)
Wild Korean rice is a slightly sweeter and stickier variety of Korean rice. It's often used to make Korean porridge, which is eaten for breakfast or as a restorative meal during illness. This is interesting because it combines black short-grain rice and brown rice.
This rice was actually first combined in California using Japanese seeds, which is where it gets its other name, black Japonica rice, but Koreans commonly use it across the country. It's very common to use short-grain rice mixed with white rice.
Black Rice
(흑미, Heukmi)
Black rice traditionally comes from China, especially during the ancient times, where it was known as 'forbidden rice' since only emperors of the land were allowed to eat it. Of course, nowadays, Korean black rice is widely used in Korean cuisine, particularly as a side dish.
Black Korean rice has a chewy texture and nutty flavor and is known to be packed with antioxidants that are said to improve the function of your digestive system, as well as helping with weight loss. Korean black rice is also commonly used to make Korean rice cakes, porridge, and snacks.
Of course, there are plenty of other types of rice out there in Korea and the rest of the world, including the likes of Jasmine rice, Purple rice, and so on, which are used in Korea today due to their global availability. However, these five Korean rice types are the most commonly used and enjoyed by Koreans.
How to Cook Rice Properly - The Korean Way
No Korean meal is complete without a bowl of steaming Korean rice. Korean rice is typically cooked in a pressure cooker, which helps to keep the rice grains soft and separate, and cooks them much faster. Korean rice is traditionally cooked with just a pinch of salt added to the water, although Korean cooks will often use Korean soup stock (dashima) to add flavor.
When the rice is cooked, it's best to let it sit for about 20 minutes before fluffing it with a spoon or rice paddle. Korean rice should be served warm and not reheated, which can cause it to become dry and hard. Korean rice is traditionally served in an earthenware bowl, which helps to retain heat and moisture.
Cooking Korean Rice at Home
Of course, not every Western home has access to such a setup, so you need to figure out what works best for you. Most commonly, you'll probably be cooking your rice on an oven stove, which is probably best if you're cooking white rice.
Fresh rice can also be cooked in a pot or pan, although if you choose to go this route, it's best to cook Korean brown rice as it's a little more forgiving. Korean rice is known for getting sticky and clumping up if not cooked correctly, so it's important to be patient with the process and make sure that you keep stirring the rice, so it doesn't burn or stick.
Using a Pressure Rice Cooker
Bearing all this in mind, the very best way to cook rice is using an electric pressure-centered rice cooker.
These can be found online or in-store (we actually sell some beautiful models in our ManduMarket store!), and using a rice cooker is really the best way to ensure that your Korean rice turns out perfectly every time.
Rice cookers come in various sizes and have many useful settings that can help you get just the right texture when figuring out how to cook Korean rice. With a rice cooker, you won't have to worry about burning or sticking, and the rice will turn out fluffy and perfect.
The Best Dishes to Use Korean Rice In
Once you've mastered Korean rice, the next step is to find some great dishes to use it in! Korean rice is an essential part of Korean cuisine, and it can be used in a wide variety of dishes.
Some classic Korean dishes you'll want to try include bibimbap, Korean fried rice, Korean-style porridge, Korean pancakes, Korean-style noodles, Korean-style sushi, and Korean-style dumplings.
If you're using a multi-grain rice, like Korean brown rice, you can also use it to make Korean-style congee or Korean-style steamed cakes.
If you're looking for a sweet and nutty flavor, like earthy flavors, then Korean brown rice is definitely the best choice. Korean white rice has a clean and subtle taste that goes with anything, while Korean glutinous rice is great for Korean desserts, like Korean rice cakes.
Korean rice is also perfect for making Korean-style soups and stews, such as the famous Korean beef stew or chicken soup. Korean rice is also excellent for making Korean-style fried chicken and Korean-style kimchi pancakes.
You can even use both uncooked rice and cooked rice to bake sweet rice treats, like Yakshik (which is similar to a Western flapjack) or cakes. Sticky rice is also great for making Korean rice cakes (called tteok) which are perfect for special occasions.
As you can see with most Korean foods, rice really allows you to get creative and come up with some delicious Korean meals that suit your favorite flavors and tastes. And that's really the gist of it.
No matter what you choose to make with Korean rice, it's guaranteed to be a delicious and unique experience!
Rice in Korean Cuisine - A Culinary Adventure Awaits
Of course, Korean people also love their rice because it's so tasty! Korean cuisine is centered around a variety of rice dishes, with staple Korean meals such as bibimbap and Korean fried rice being some of the most popular. Korean people also love to use Korean rice when making snacks and treats, such as Korean-style dumplings and Korean-style pancakes.
Rice is a versatile ingredient in South Korea, with endless possibilities for culinary exploration. No matter what dish you choose to make, you can be sure that Korean rice will lend a unique and delicious flavor.
Whether you're looking for a classic Korean meal or an exciting new culinary adventure, Korean rice is sure to satisfy. Korean cuisine has something for everyone, and rice always plays an essential role in the Korean diet.
And now, it's even easy to start cooking Korean rice in the comfort of your own home.
Here at ManduMarket, we're not only passionate about sharing this beautiful information on Korean culture, but also sharing access to some fantastic products that are perfect for Korean cooking and exploring the culture for yourself.
Make sure you check out our store - we look forward to helping you explore Korean cuisine and Korean rice!
Happy Rice-ing! 🍚🍥