Ideas for Korean Themed Party Foods

Korean cuisine is becoming inevitably popular across the world, with many unique and wonderful snacks and dishes satisfying people’s palates. With that, there’s no better way to spice up any party than serving Korean themed party foods. Be it a Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas lunch, a tea party, or any home party you want to throw off, these Korean delights will be a surefire hit to your guests, friends, and loved ones. So, let the planning begin – here are the best Korean party food ideas perfect for your next gathering!

Japchae (Stir-fried Glass Noodles)

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Japchae is one of Korea’s most famous noodle dishes. It’s commonly served during festive holidays like Chuseok or the Korean Harvest Festival Day or Seollal or New Year’s Day. Aside from the bouncy, textured stir-fried glass noodles, it’s added with spinach, carrots, onions, mushrooms, beef, sesame seeds, and soy sauce that result in a savory, slightly sweet, but very moreish meal! Simply a great dish to bring to potluck or dinner parties.

Kimbap (Korean Rice Rolls)

Sushi can make a crowd go crazy and Koreans have their own version which you can also prepare to keep your party extraordinary. Known as kimbap, these Korean rice rolls come in many varieties, differing on the fillings used in the rolls. You can make cheese kimbap, tuna kimbap, vegetable kimbap, beef kimbap, and many others, depending on what your party calls for. All kimbap is prepared in bite-size pieces, your guests will have a fun time picking up and nibbling these tasty rolls.

Jeon (Korean Pancakes)

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Are you looking for the perfect appetizer or snack for your guests? Serving Korean pancakes is the best way to go. Just be wary that these pancakes aren’t the ones you’d be splashing with maple syrup. Korea’s jeon is more on the savory side and uses fish, meat, vegetables, flour, and egg batter. They’re pan-fried to a delicious crisp and served with a sauce, making them perfect as a party snack. There are different types of Korean pancakes, from seafood pancakes, kimchi pancakes, potato pancakes, zucchini pancakes, and even flower pancakes – all worthy of being the star of your party!

Pickled Carrots and Daikon Radish

A huge favorite in the Korean community, pickled carrots, and daikon radish are perfect if you want to add something fresh for your guests. Don’t fret, as it’s easy and quick to make, but packs a lot of flavors to round out all your other meat party dishes. What’s great is that you can store these for weeks inside sterilized jars. You can make them in advance if you’re gearing up for big parties!

Korean Fried Chicken

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Korean fried chicken does wonders on any occasion and your friends and loved ones will just fall in love with it at first bite. Unlike its American counterpart which is often brined and covered with buttermilk and flour mixture, Korean fried chicken comes with paper-like skin that is lighter, extremely crunchier. It’s then tossed in a sticky Korean sweet chili sauce made of gochujang, sugar, garlic, and other spices that just tastes amazing.

Korean BBQ

Planning a BBQ party? Change things up by doing it the Korean way! Just get a portable Korean grill or cooktop in the center of the table and a cast-iron skillet. Choose from different types of Korean BBQ options, such as bulgogi, LA galbi, spicy Korean pork, or jumulleok. Advise everyone to wear their comfiest clothes before starting the smoky, meaty affair. Prepare soju, Korea’s famed alcoholic beverage, or beer. Enjoy some games and make the party brimmed with an incredible sense of joy and togetherness.

Eomuk (Korean Fish Cake)

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Fish cakes are common in Asia and that people of all ages adore. They’re made with ground fish meat and blended with starch, added with other ingredients, such as shrimp, squid, and vegetables. It tastes savory and comes with a soft texture, simply a treat for the taste buds. Just deep fry them, dump them on the table, and see them socialize with everyone at the party.

Baechu Geotjeori (Fresh Kimchi Salad)

Things won’t be complete without serving the famed Korean kimchi. It’s basically Korean spicy sauerkraut, made from fermented vegetables, usually napa cabbage, added with ginger, garlic, and gochugaru or Korean chili. It can be a perfect conversation starter at your party as many people are scared to try them the first time, being scared of their taste and smell. Yet, kimchi actually boasts rich and complex flavors, from sour to salty, tangy, pungent, and spicy – but all perfectly blend in your mouth. It’s crunchy and delicious, your guests will surely change their minds and love kimchi once they taste them.

Bibimbap (Mixed Rice)

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Bibimbap is a popular rice-based Korean dish that will suit any dinner party. It’s a bowl that has everything: crisp rice, tasty meat, colorful vegetables, and the irresistible bibimbap sauce – which will all be crowned with a fried egg. It presents beautifully and will certainly impress your guests. Let them admire it quickly, though. The magic happens when stirring the ingredients together and eating the delicious mixed rice.

You can either prepare a huge, tall bowl of bibimbap then place it at the center of the table. Otherwise, you can prepare small bowls and dish out all the ingredients. So, you give your guests the opportunity to create their own bibimbap and get a fun experience.

Korean Beverages

Quench your guests’ thirst with Korea’s best beverages. For elegant, evening parties, you can serve a bottle of bokbunja, a wine made of wild or cultivated Korean black raspberry, or flower wine, made of flowers like peach blossom, chrysanthemum, or azalea. For parties with a fun and exciting mood, bring out soju or makgeolli bottles, which are popular among the younger crowd. If you are partying with kids, having fruit milk or soft fizzy yogurt drinks ensures that they all have something to enjoy at the party.

That’s the rundown of the best Korean themed party foods. Serve them all and be surprised how your friends, family, and guests raved about them, making your party an event to remember. Enjoy!