K-Drama Binge & Korean Food Cravings: A Perfect Duo!
If you’ve ever caught yourself salivating over a steaming bowl of noodles or a crispy batch of fried chicken while watching your favorite K-drama, know that you are definitely not alone. Korean dramas somehow have this magical ability to make food look insanely delicious. Whether it’s the sizzling sounds, the artful chopstick maneuvers, or the sheer joy on the actors’ faces as they take their first bite—K-food is a whole vibe.
Grab your chopsticks, settle in, and let’s dive into some iconic Korean foods that practically have starring roles in the most popular K-dramas.
1. Ramyeon (라면): The Go-To Comfort Food
If there’s one food that shows up in every K-drama, it’s ramyeon. Spicy, savory, and oh-so-satisfying, ramyeon isn’t just a quick meal—it’s often the setting for deep, life-changing conversations or moments of blossoming romance. In fact, “Want to eat ramyeon together?” is basically the K-drama version of, “Want to come over?” or dare we say “Netflix and chill?”
Dramatic Moment Example: In Goblin, Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) and the Goblin (Gong Yoo) share a bowl of ramyeon in one of their earliest moments together. This simple meal becomes a bonding moment for the two, signaling the start of their epic love story. Ramyeon = romance, right?
2. Fried Chicken (치킨): Crispy, Saucy, and Perfect with Beer
Korean fried chicken is a showstopper. Whether it’s sweet and spicy or crispy and plain, it’s the kind of food that makes you want to dial up your nearest chicken place as soon as it appears on screen. Often paired with a cold beer (known as chimaek—a combo of "chicken" and "maekju" or beer), it’s the go-to meal for friends in K-dramas to let loose after a long day.
Dramatic Moment Example: Crash Landing on You might be a romantic melodrama, but even amid all the intense moments, there’s a scene where Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) orders fried chicken and beer in South Korea to celebrate her freedom. Watching her devour it after being stranded in North Korea for so long will give you life—and cravings.
3. Tteokbokki (떡볶이): Spicy Rice Cakes That Demand Attention
You’ve probably seen these bright red, glistening rice cakes in almost every street-food scene in K-dramas. Tteokbokki is chewy, spicy, and slightly sweet—a popular comfort food, especially for characters dealing with emotional highs or lows. Watching it bubble away in a pan as the actors grab a few pieces will have you craving this street snack like never before.
Dramatic Moment Example: Boys Over Flowers gave us an iconic tteokbokki moment when Geum Jan-di (Gu Hye-sun), our scrappy heroine, heads out with her friends for a casual, comforting meal. Between fending off F4 and high school drama, tteokbokki is the soul food she needs!
4. Kimchi (김치): The Fermented Superstar
Kimchi is practically a national treasure in South Korea, and it’s a staple side dish in almost every K-drama meal. Spicy, tangy, and packed with probiotics, kimchi is always on the table, whether it’s served with rice, soups, or stews. It’s not just food, it’s a cultural icon that represents community, tradition, and flavor.
Dramatic Moment Example: Vincenzo shows off the cultural significance of kimchi when the Geumga Plaza family gets together for a traditional kimchi-making session. Watching Vincenzo (Song Joong-ki) awkwardly attempt to help makes the scene even more heartwarming. Let’s just say kimchi brings people together—even an Italian-Korean mafia lawyer!
5. Samgyeopsal (삼겹살): The BBQ Feast of Your Dreams
Samgyeopsal, or grilled pork belly, is a must in any K-drama gathering. Watching characters grill thick slices of pork, dipping them in sesame oil, wrapping them in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang (a spicy dipping sauce), and then popping them into their mouths is just...mesmerizing. Add some soju, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for friendship and laughter.
Dramatic Moment Example: What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim? gives us one of the most memorable samgyeopsal moments. After a long day at work, the office team heads out for BBQ and drinks. The sizzling sounds, the banter, and the palpable camaraderie make you feel like you’re at the table with them, downing soju shots and eagerly awaiting your next slice of pork.
6. Jjajangmyeon (짜장면): The Black Bean Noodle Classic
Jjajangmyeon, those glossy black bean noodles, are a K-drama staple when characters are stressed, moving to a new place, or just feeling hungry for a comforting dish. Slurping up those thick noodles is a whole vibe, and somehow, K-dramas make it look both elegant and utterly satisfying.
Dramatic Moment Example: The King: Eternal Monarch has a scene where Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) enjoys a bowl of jjajangmyeon, which adds a sense of normalcy to his royal life. The contrast between his usual refined meals and this simple comfort food is exactly why jjajangmyeon is a go-to in K-dramas—it’s for every mood and every character.
7. Soju (소주): The Drink of Every Emotional Situation
Whether it’s to celebrate, to forget, or to loosen up, soju is there for our K-drama characters through thick and thin. This clear, potent liquor is often consumed in dramatic, late-night drinking sessions, with characters passing out or sharing their deepest secrets (or both). No K-drama drinking scene is complete without the classic swirl and shot of soju.
Dramatic Moment Example: In Descendants of the Sun, we see Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo) sharing soju while discussing their pasts and futures. The tension, the chemistry, and the soju—it’s an intoxicating combo in every way.
Final Thoughts
K-drama isn’t just about romance, drama, and plot twists—it’s also about food. From ramyeon slurping to samgyeopsal sizzling, these dishes are integral to the emotional beats of the story. So, the next time you sit down for a K-drama binge, have some snacks ready because, trust us, your cravings will kick in before you even hit the second episode!
