Hold a Korean-Inspired Friendsgiving with These Classic Korean Dishes

With the arrival of the festive season, the beloved tradition of Friendsgiving beckons once again. Amid the bustling preparations for Thanksgiving festivities, the opportunity to share precious moments with cherished friends and family grows ever more appealing. For those seeking to infuse a new zest into this year's celebrations, consider embracing the flavors of Korea by incorporating classic Korean cuisine into your Friendsgiving feast.

1. Japchae: A staple dish in any kind of formal gathering. Japchae has come to be a yummy dish that combines various assortments of stir-fried veggies and chewy potato glass noodles. People usually add beef but you can cook it without meat so it’s perfect for the Vegetarian guests.

2. Tteokbokki: Elevate your Friendsgiving spread with Tteokbokki, a dish that transcends its humble street food origins to delight diners everywhere. As one of the most beloved Korean dishes around the globe, a homemade rendition of Tteokbokki promises to be a crowd-pleaser. Indulge in the irresistible texture of chewy rice cakes bathed in a rich and savory gochujang sauce—a culinary experience that guests will surely savor.

3. Jeon: Whether it’s beef jeon or vegetable jeon, jeon is a must-have at any gathering. Bite-sized pieces of yumminess coated in a flour-based batter or even an egg mixture, what makes jeon so great is that you can customize it however you want with whatever ingredients you want. 

4. Bulgogi: Rather than a turkey, which can take hours upon hours of cooking, why not try some bulgogi? What makes this dish so excellent is that you can actually prepare this the day beforehand and let all the soy-sauce-based marinade seep even more into the meat, making the flavor even more in-depth. 

5. Tofu Jorim: Also known as braised tofu, this dish can’t get any more simple. With basic ingredients like soy sauce, gochugaru (Korean chili powder), green onions, and carrots, you can cook this and leave it on the stove for a bit while you’re preparing other dishes for your guests. 

With the popularity of Korean food worldwide, make sure you add these to your Friendsgiving menu, and you’ll bet that it’s going to be a crowd-pleaser.