Hyunwoo Cho

Hyunwoo Cho

With over 10 years of experience in the Hallyu industry, Hyunwoo has dedicated his career to connecting Korean culture with the world. As the founder of Daebak, he works closely with Korean brands and stays ahead of the latest trends to deliver an authentic taste of Korea to fans globally.

Maangchis Big Book of Korean Cooking displayed in a Korean kitchen setting

5 Korean Cookbooks to Have in Your Kitchen

Hyunwoo Cho

Korean cuisine is delicious to eat, especially when on a night out with your friends. However, it can be expensive. There is an easy way to fill your stomach without emptying out your wallet: cooking at home! This is also a good option for those who do not live near any Korean restaurants but want to enjoy the tasty options. Now let's look at the 5 Korean cookbooks you should have in your kitchen.

Maangchis Big Book of Korean Cooking displayed in a Korean kitchen setting
Maangchi's Big Book of Korean Cooking, the bestselling guide to home-style Korean recipes. | Source: Maangchi

Maangchi's Big Book of Korean Cooking

This cookbook is one of the most highly rated and should be considered a must-have for your collection!

Maangchi was born and raised in South Korea, and moved to New York when she was older. She always had a passion for cooking, decided to post a video of herself cooking Korean food on YouTube in 2007, and it took off from there. This is her second cookbook with more than 150 authentic Korean recipes, so no matter your cooking skill, there is something for you to try. She has included the Top 10 recipes from her YouTube channel as well as chapters on Korean BBQ, kimchi, side dishes, fish, vegetarian meals, vegan meals, lunch boxes, stews, soups, snacks, and Seoul street food.

Cook Korean!

Any beginner who is afraid to try cooking Korean food should pick up a copy of this simple-to-use graphic novel cookbook!

Cook Korean! is written by Robin Ha, who was born in Seoul, South Korea and moved to the United States when she was fourteen. She had a love for drawing comics and cooking, and eventually Cook Korean! was born. This cookbook has sixty-four charming recipes along with ingredient profiles, personal anecdotes, and cultural insights. You can learn anything from kimchi to gimbap, to even bulgogi dupbap.

Cook Korean! A Comic Book with Recipes by Robin Ha, illustrated graphic novel cookbook cover
Cook Korean! by Robin Ha, a graphic novel cookbook with 64 illustrated Korean recipes. | Source: Penguin Random House

Seoul Food Korean Cookbook

Those who have a passion for cooking and want to try making traditional and modern Korean food should check out this cookbook!

Seoul Food Korean Cookbook is written by Naomi Imatome-Yun, who grew up in an American suburb, helping her Korean grandmother make Korean classics. This cookbook includes over 100 step-by-step recipes, from the classics to Korean bar food, so bring your cooking skills to the test. This book includes a cooking overview, food customs, table manners, restaurant dining tips, pictures, and shopping lists to aid you in your cooking endeavors.

Seoul Food Korean Cookbook by Naomi Imatome-Yun, paperback cookbook cover
Seoul Food Korean Cookbook by Naomi Imatome-Yun, packed with traditional and Seoul-style fusion recipes. | Source: Penguin Books Australia

Korean Home Cooking: Classic and Modern Recipes

A wonderful cookbook to be added to your kitchen, which includes restaurant and family recipes, fun to cook for family and friends!

Sohui Kim is the chef and co-owner of Insa and The Good Fork restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, and Rachel Wharton is the coauthor of F*ck, That's Delicious and The Good Fork Cookbook. Together, they have combined their knowledge to provide this book filled with 100 tasty dishes. The book includes recipes, Sohui's family stories, pictures of her travel in Korea, and with her guidance for cooking each dish, you will master cooking Korean food in no time.

Korean Home Cooking Classic and Modern Recipes by Sohui Kim and Rachel Wharton, hardcover cookbook cover
Korean Home Cooking by Sohui Kim with Rachel Wharton, blending classic Korean recipes with restaurant-quality dishes from Insa. | Source: Abrams Books

My Rice Bowl: Korean Cooking Outside the Lines

For anyone who loves rice dishes, fusion foods, and mixing cultural dishes together, this is the cookbook for you!

My Rice Bowl is written by Rachel Yang, the owner of the Seattle restaurants Joule, Trove, and Revel. Enjoy seventy-five recipes of comforting Korean fusion food from all types of cultures around the world. Enjoy making noodles, dumplings, pancakes, fried chicken and of course rice bowls. Some fusion foods to try are chipotle-spiked pad thai, seaweed noodles with crab, and even Korean pickle tacos.

My Rice Bowl Korean Cooking Outside the Lines by Rachel Yang, fusion cookbook cover
My Rice Bowl by Rachel Yang, 75 Korean fusion recipes inspired by cultures from around the world. | Source: Goodreads

No matter if you are a chef or a beginner cook, these cookbooks are a must-have for cooking Korean dishes! They not only provide easy, fun, and traditional dishes, but they also include cultural insights, personal stories, and tips on how to cook them like a true native Korean. Good luck and have fun while trying out these delicious dishes!

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