Exploring the Variety of Tastes from Five Must-Try Korean Dishes in Daegu
Korean food is full of flavor, from the spiciness of gochujang and the sweetness of honey to the umami flavors of kimchi and savory grilled meats. Daegu, Korea’s third-largest city, offers a variety of local dishes with unique flavors and textures, giving visitors the opportunity to sample the region’s diverse and delicious cuisine.
Dakgalbi
Dakgalbi is a stir-fry dish made with chicken, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables. Traditionally, the ingredients are marinated in a savory and spicy sauce before being stir-fried in a large skillet with rice cake. The dish is served with a side of spicy pickles and kimchi.
The dish is said to have been invented by a war vet in the 1950s. He wanted to recreate a delicious bold flavored dish to tantalize the taste buds of his hungry children.
Gejjeh Mandu
Gejjeh mandu is a traditional dish from North Gyeongsang Province, located in the southeastern part of South Korea. It consists of steamed dumplings filled with beef, pork, and vegetables. The dumplings are wrapped in a thin dough made from flour and water and steamed until perfectly cooked.
The dumplings are served with a soy and vinegar based broth, which adds the perfect amount of flavor and tang to the dish. The combination of the warm, savory broth and perfectly steamed dumplings makes for a perfect comfort food.
Samgyeopsal
Samgyeopsal is a popular Korean barbecue dish, and a must-try when visiting Daegu. It consists of thick strips of pork belly that are cooked over a charcoal grill. The strips are seasoned with sesame oil and salt, providing a smoky flavor to the meat.
The dish is served with lettuce wraps, which the cook cuts to the perfect size, allowing the lettuce to wrap around the streaky pork. Hot peppers, garlic, and other vegetables are provided to customize the flavor of the wraps.
Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food, originally made with fish cakes and rice cakes. The fish cakes and rice cakes are served in a spicy and savory red sauce. The sweet and spicy sauce pairs perfectly with the chewy texture of the rice cakes and fish cakes.
To add some crunch to the dish, egg, onion, and spring onion are sometimes added. Tteokbokki has recently become a favorite of Koreans, as it is both delicious and relatively inexpensive.
Kongguksu
Kongguksu is a refreshing dish made from wheat noodles, served in cold soybean broth. The dish is simple but satisfying, as the coldness of the broth is a welcome relief on hot summer days. The wheat noodles, or “kongguksu noodles,” are usually served with an array of vegetables, such as cucumbers, squash, and carrots.
The dish is a favorite among vegans and vegetarians, as it can be made without meat. As an added bonus, the dish is also low in calories and high in nutrition. All of these factors make kongguksu a perfect summer meal.
Conclusion
Korean food offers something for everyone, from traditional fare to modern innovations. The dishes found in Daegu are no exception, as they offer a glimpse into the culinary culture of the region. From the spicy zing of dakgalbi to the savory umami of samgyeopsal, there are plenty of unique and delicious dishes to sample in Daegu. The five dishes above are just a few of the must-try Korean dishes in Daegu – no matter your taste, there is sure to be a dish you’ll love!