Korean food is being hotly tipped to be the flavour of 2015, and if you’ve been lucky enough to sample its delights, you’re probably not inclined to disagree.
I caught up with Korean-American chef Judy Joo at the opening of her new restaurant Jinjuu. Judy presents the soon-to-be-aired TV show Korean Food Made Simple (Food Network, 6:30pm from 26th January), and very recently became a British citizen. So who better to ask all about the cuisine, the culture, and why Britain will want its fill of Korean food?
Why will it be a hit?
Korean food has been highlighted by various people and companies in the past few months to be the food trend of 2015, and Judy agrees that it’s likely. “Korean food had a massive year in America last year, and these trends tend to cross the pond. There’s tons of interest,” she explains.
If you haven’t tried Korean food before, you might be tempted to stick with what you know. However, in my experience it’s a very moreish cuisine that doesn’t leave you feeling bloated. “It’s actually quite balanced,” comments Judy, “because there’s a little bit of everything and something for everyone. There are a lot of vegetables involved and the cuisine has very punchy, vibrant flavours.”
These flavours, she continues, include “chillis, garlic, sesame seeds, Korean barbecue, tofu… flavours that you’ve had before but executed in a different way.” Since there’s a familiarity to be found in the dishes, there’s something comforting about them – but at the same time, the cooking is different enough to excite. “It’s a different flavour profile, but it’s not so ‘out there’.”
Great Korean dishes
“My favourite dish is something called sundubu jjigae, which is a silken tofu spicy seafood soup,” says Judy, commenting that when she was younger, her mother would make it for her when she wasn’t feeling well. “I think the flavours are so dynamic. It’s got vegetables, seafood, it’s spicy… I just love it!”
But there are also delicate light meals like ginseng chicken soup, and on the other side of the divide again, budae jjigae is a spicy stew that can contain pretty much anything, though chilli is a necessity. And then there is the Korean take on barbecue, where the meat is marinated in garlic, chilli, sesame oil, ginger, soy sauce and other spices