Taste the Flavors of Spring in Korea: 5 Korean Food You Can't Miss

Spring is in full bloom in Korea, and many people are starting to switch up the snacks and foods they typically eat to better match the warmer weather and stay refreshed.

Whether you're sipping on your favorite iced drink while soaking up the sun or trying as many limited-edition spring foods as possible, Koreans take advantage of the springtime to enjoy their favorite seasonal ingredients.

If you are looking for new foods to add to your diet this spring or ways to spice up your meals, keep reading to learn more about some of Korea's most popular springtime foods!

Hwajeon, also known as Korean fresh flower rice pancakes, is a traditional Korean dessert typically made with glutinous rice flour, edible flowers, and drizzled honey.

These sweet, aesthetic pancakes are most commonly enjoyed in spring since they use flowers that bloom in the springtime, such as cherry blossoms and azaleas.

Hwajeon is often pan-fried to make them slightly crispy on the outside, contrasting the texture of the rice cake.

The dessert is also associated with Hwajeon-nori, which historically was when women would go on a picnic in the mountains to pick the flowers that Hwajeon is made with, taking their glutinous rice flour and griddle with them to make the dessert.

The picnic, or Hwajeon-nori, takes place on the third day of the third lunar month, known as Samjinnal, which is a day that signifies the beginning of spring in Korea.

Check out the video below to learn how to make Hwajeon!

Another dish commonly enjoyed in Korea's spring and summer seasons is Samgyetang, known as Ginseng Chicken Soup.

The dish is typically made with chicken, ginseng, jujubes, glutinous rice, and garlic, to name a few.

While soup might not stand out as a meal to eat in the springtime, Samgyetang is believed to help replenish the nutrients lost from sweating, so many Koreans opt to enjoy this dish during the warmer months of the year.

It is also known for its many health benefits, with ginseng being its main ingredient, including strengthening the immune system, boosting energy, and improving brain function and memory.

So, if you are looking to beat the heat with more heat, check out the video below to see how to make Samgyetang this spring.

Bibimbap, or mixed rice, is a bowl of warm white rice topped with a variety of vegetables and meat and served with a spicy gochujang sauce.

The dish's name explains exactly what it consists of, with "bi bim" meaning mixing and "bap" meaning rice. Bibimbap is also reasonably easy to prepare since it includes a lot of side dishes, or banchan, that Koreans already have on hand.

As one of Korea's most popular comfort foods, it can include ingredients like eggs, cucumbers, carrots, bulgogi beef, soybean sprouts, mushrooms, and many more.

Plus, it is very customizable, so you can add anything you have on hand, making it a great dish to use up the leftovers that have been sitting in your fridge!

Bibimbap also offers a variety of tastes, textures, and colors since it is packed with nutrients from the vegetables and protein from the meat, making it a well-balanced meal to enjoy in the springtime.

If you are interested in trying this dish out, check out the Instagram linked above for the recipe and instructions!

Jjukkumi is a famous spring and summer dish in Korea and is made with a small species of octopus commonly known as "baby octopus."

They are often marinated in a spicy sauce made with gochujang, also known as Korean red chili paste, and are grilled to make them juicy and tender.

One of the ways that Koreans like to enjoy Jjukkumi is to eat it with pork belly, known as Samgyeopsal, and drizzle it with the gochujang sauce to give it an extra kick. The dish is often garnished with thinly sliced cucumber as well.

Many people also enjoy Jjukkumi with tteokbokki, spicy Korean rice cakes. Tteokbokki is a popular street food in South Korea and a typical comfort food for many, making it the perfect pairing for Jjukkumi.

The dish can also be prepared with squid instead of an octopus based on preference and availability, making it a versatile meal for anyone worldwide to enjoy.

In the U.S., baby octopuses are often sold pre-cleaned and frozen but can also be purchased in your local seafood markets.

Bingsu is one of Korea’s favorite warm-weather desserts. It is made with finely shaved ice, similar to a snow cone, except the ice is topped with cream, milk, or yogurt to make the dessert sweet and creamy.

Bingsu traditionally comes with various toppings, including red bean paste, fruits, rice cakes, sweet cereals, etc.

One of the most well-known Bingsu flavors is red bean, known to many as Patbingsu. The red beans are simmered in sugar, making them a sweet and tender topping for the shaved ice. There is even a song named after the dessert by the female idol group Billie!

Another popular bingsu combination is strawberry bingsu since the fruit is in season during the spring and summertime, when the dessert is typically enjoyed.

In the comments below, let us know which Korean foods you look forward to trying this spring or any foods you recommend giving a try that didn't make this list!

Have you been wondering where to buy your Korean snacks this spring? You should check out The Daebak Company's one-stop shop for your favorite Korean snacks and other Korean goods, including K-pop merchandise and Korean skincare products.