Korea is known for many wonderful dishes, such as Pajeon (pancakes) and Gyeran Bbang (Egg Bread), but nothing really compares to the Korean hot pot.
Korean hot pots are incredibly warm and comforting, perfect for those days when you want a hearty meal that is going to fill you up.
Traditionally, these recipes are loaded with a variety of ingredients, so there’s a recipe out there for everyone.
If you are in the mood for something packed full of flavor, then Korean hot pots are definitely something you need to try.
We have put together a list of 11 Korean hot pot recipes that you can make at home, so read on to find out more about these dishes.
Spicy Korean Hot Pot Recipes
If you know anything about Korean food, then you know that lots of it is spicy! The spices bring out so much flavor in every dish, making whatever recipe you are eating even more delicious.
When it comes to hot pots, there are plenty of spicy recipes for you to try. Check out our selection of spicy Korean hot pot recipes below.
Also known as Mandu Jeongol, this Korean hot pot will quickly become a staple in your home.
It’s loaded with kimchi, tofu, mushrooms, and green vegetables, but what makes this hot pot recipe so special is the spice that comes from the red chile!
It’s perfect for anyone with an adventurous palette, and the inclusion of dumplings just makes it even better.
This recipe is similar to Budae Jjigae (Korean army stew) but with healthier ingredients.
This recipe is another fantastic spicy Korean hot pot that is made using a plethora of ingredients to create a hearty meal.
The main ingredients in this dish are thinly sliced beef, mushrooms, and vegetables, and they are covered in a delicious spicy and umami-rich broth that you will want again and again.
Guksu Jungeol is spicy and has an earthy taste, making it an incredibly savory and comforting dish.
Also known as Haemul Jeongol, this Korean hot pot is made using an assortment of seafood, some of which include crabs, shrimp, clams, mussels, squid, octopus, and firm white flesh fish.
The seafood pairs incredibly well with the spicy gochugaru (chili powder) to create a fusion of flavors that you will absolutely love.
If you don’t have access to all of the seafood ingredients you can adapt it to fit in with what you have available.
Meat Korean Hot Pot Recipes
Korean hot pots are usually made with plenty of vegetables, but that doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on meat. Lots of Korean recipes include meat as one of the main ingredients, and hot pots are no exception.
If you are in the mood for something meaty and hearty, read on to find out about some of the best Korean hot pot recipes that are made with meat.
If you are a fan of chicken soup, then you will love this Korean chicken hot pot.
This recipe perfectly combines chicken and a fine selection of vegetables to create a hearty and earthy dish that will fill you up and keep you satisfied.
This particular recipe is great for beginners as well, so if you want to try a Korean-style hot pot but don’t have much experience in cooking, this is a great recipe to try.
If you really love meat dishes, then you are going to love this Bulgogi Jeongol.
The primary meat ingredient in this recipe is beef, and it combines sweet and savory ingredients to create a Korean hot pot recipe that will quickly become a staple meal in your home.
This recipe is perfect for colder nights when you want something comforting.
Also known as Army Stew, Budae Jjigae combines classic Korean ingredients with American ingredients to create a unique hot pot you won’t be able to get enough of.
Some of the main ingredients in Budae Jjigae include Kimchi, Spam, sausages, and ramen noodles. What is so surprising about this dish is that the Spam works incredibly well with all of the other ingredients.
If you are in the mood for pork in your hot pot, then this recipe will be a fantastic choice.
The pork and kimchi pair beautifully together to create a sweet and savory dish. You can use spicy kimchi if you want something a bit hotter, but the sweeter variation is worth trying at least once.
Add in whatever vegetables you have in your kitchen if you want to bulk the meal out and make it a bit healthier.
Vegetarian Korean Hot Pot Recipes
Korea has so many different styles of food, so if you aren’t a big fan of meat, there are plenty of vegetarian hot pot recipes that you can try too.
One of the main ingredients in all Korean hot pots is mixed vegetables, and there are ways that you can make them more central in the dish.
Check out the vegetarian-style Korean hot pot recipes we have included below.
If you want to go a step further and try a vegan recipe, then this Sundubu Jjigae is the recipe for you.
Also known as Korean Soft Tofu Stew, this Korean hot pot uses tofu, Korean bean Sprout Salad, Vegan Kimchi, and more to create an incredibly hearty dish that is completely meat-free.
It’s just as filling as some of the meat alternatives and just as delicious! Whether you follow a vegetarian, vegan, or meat diet, you will love this Sundubu Jjiage.
This vegetarian Korean hot pot is full of wonderful vegetables and the combined flavors come together to create a truly unique dish.
“Soondooboo” means silken tofu, which is one of the key ingredients in this dish. It is quite a bit different from regular tofu. This variation tastes more like plain yogurt, giving the whole hot pot a creamier consistency.
While the silkened tofu doesn’t really have any flavor on its own, it will absorb the kimchi, vegetables, and other ingredients beautifully.
Seafood Korean Hot Pot Recipes
Seafood is very popular in Korea, and it finds its way into many dishes. Seafood hot pots aren’t as popular as meat or vegetable variations, but they are still worth trying if you get the chance.
Below, you will find some amazing seafood Korean hot pot recipes to try.
Also known as Fish Stew, this seafood hot pot can be made using any fish you have in your kitchen. The most important thing to remember about this dish is the fish needs to be fresh in order for it to work.
This particular recipe uses fresh Black Sea Bass, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other fish if you get the chance.
Other ingredients in this dish include anchovies, green onions, chili peppers, and Korean radishes.
This hot pot recipe is also known as Korean Fishcake Hot Pot and it combines the briny taste of fish with delicious spices to create an incredibly tasty meal.
The trick with this recipe is to get the broth right in order to create an absolutely delicious meal.
Use 2 Anchovy-Kelp Broth Packets instead of two to create a deeply flavored broth. This will make the whole dish more tasty!
Conclusion
Hot Pots are a staple dish in Korea, and most recipes are quite easy to make, so there is no reason why you can not recreate them for yourself.
Each of the recipes we have included here are perfect examples of Korean Hot Pots and if you have never tried them before, you will find yourself making them again and again.
Try some of these hot pot recipes for yourself and see which ones you enjoy the most. Whether you love meat or you follow a vegetarian diet, there are plenty of hot pot recipes here for you to try.
Yes and no. Korean hot pot recipes can be healthy, but it largely depends on the soup, ingredients chosen, and what it is accompanied with. Korean hot pots with lots of vegetables are going to be healthier than recipes with fewer vegetables and more fatty ingredients.
Is Hot Pot Korean or Chinese?
There is a big debate on which country created the hot pot recipe first. Some records show that Korea invented it, while other records indicate that China did. Both recipes are incredibly similar, and they each have their own history.
What Vegetables Are Good For A Hot Pot?
You can use whatever vegetables you have in your kitchen. If you want your hot pot to be more authentic, try vegetables such as bok choy, watercress, snow pea leaves, Napa cabbage, Chinese spinach, gai lan and green onions.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
