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Korean Cooking Words & Phrases

Korean cuisine is beloved worldwide, and learning cooking vocabulary opens up a world of authentic recipes and cooking shows. From knife techniques to fermentation terms, these words will help you follow Korean recipes, watch cooking content, and discuss food preparation with native speakers.

100 words

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볶다

bokda

Stir-fry

튀기다

twigida

Deep-fry

지지다

jijida

Pan-fry

굽다

gupda

Bake

로스트하다

roseuteu hada

Roast

약불로 끓이다

yakbul-ro kkeulida

Simmer

조리다

jorida

Braise

데치다

daechida

Blanch

섞다

seokda

Mix

저으면서 끓이다

jeoeumyeonseo kkeulida

Stir

자르다

jareuda

Chop

저미다

jeomida

Slice

깍둑썰기하다

kkakduk sseolgi hada

Dice

다지다

dajida

Mince

벗기다

beotgida

Peel

강판에 갈다

gangpan-e galda

Grate

두드리다

dudeulida

Pound

치대다

chidaeda

Knead

말다

malda

Roll

접다

jeopda

Fold

싸다

ssada

Wrap

채우다

chaewuda

Stuff

층을 이루다

cheung-eul iruda

Layer

담그다

damgeuda

Dip

붓다

butda

Pour

물을 빼다

mul-eul bbaeda

Drain

거르다

georeuda

Strain

짜다

jjada

Squeeze

누르다

nureuda

Press

발효하다

balhyo hada

Ferment

절이다

jeolida

Pickle

보존하다

bojon hada

Preserve

소금을 치다

sogeum-eul chida

Salt

염장하다

yeomjang hada

Cure

훈제하다

hunje hada

Smoke

불리다

bullida

Soak

헹굴다

henggeulda

Rinse

씻다

ssitda

Wash

재다

jaeda

Measure

무게를 재다

mugae-reul jaeda

Weigh

맛보다

matboda

Taste

조절하다

jojeol hada

Adjust

담다

damda

Plate

장식하다

jangsik hada

Garnish

대접하다

daejeopda

Serve

데우다

deuda

Reheat

해동하다

haedong hada

Defrost

냉동하다

naengdong hada

Freeze

냉장하다

naengjang hada

Refrigerate

보관하다

bogwan hada

Store

덜어내다

deol-eonae da

Portion

요리법

yoribop

Recipe

재료

jaelyo

Ingredient

계량

gyeryung

Measurement

큰술

keun sul

Tablespoon

작은술

jageun sul

Teaspoon

컵

keop

Cup

그램

geuraem

Gram

리터

riteo

Liter

오븐

obun

Oven

가스레인지

gaseu reinjji

Stovetop

중국냄비

jungguk naembi

Wok

냄비

naembi

Pot

팬

paen

Pan

칼

kal

Knife

도마

doma

Cutting Board

강판

gangpan

Grater

필러

pilleo

Peeler

국자

gukja

Ladle

뒤집개

dwijipgae

Spatula

집게

jipge

Tongs

거품기

geofumgi

Whisk

그릇

geureut

Bowl

채

chae

Colander

찜기

jjimgi

Steamer

압력밥솥

apryeok bapssot

Pressure Cooker

믹서기

mikseo gi

Blender

푸드 프로세서

pudeu peuroseseo

Food Processor

절구와 공이

jeolgu wa gongi

Mortar and Pestle

젓가락

jeotgarag

Chopsticks

밥숟가락

bap ssutkgarag

Serving Spoon

앞치마

apchima

Apron

오븐장갑

obun janggap

Oven Mitt

타이머

taimeeo

Timer

불의 세기

bul-ui segi

Heat Level

약불

yakbul

Low Heat

중불

jungbul

Medium Heat

센불

senbul

High Heat

익은 정도

igeun jeongdo

Doneness

덜 익은

deol igeun

Rare

바삭한

basaghan

Crispy

육즙이 많은

yugjeupi maneun

Juicy

짭짤한

jjapjjaghan

Savory

감칠맛

gamchilmat

Umami

고추장

gochujang

Korean Seasoning Paste

김장

Gimjang

Kimchi Making

칼질

Kaljil

Knife Skills

뭉근히 끓이다

Mungeunhi Kkeurida

Slow Cooking

간 맞추기

Gan Matchugi

Seasoning Balance

비비다

Bibida

Bibim Mixing

Many Korean language learners aspire to not only enjoy delicious Korean food but also to prepare it themselves. This journey into Korean cuisine often begins with understanding the fundamental verbs used in cooking. Mastering these terms is essential for anyone hoping to follow a Korean recipe, discuss cooking methods, or even simply understand conversations happening in a Korean kitchen. Without a grasp of these basic actions, even the simplest instructions can become a barrier. For instance, knowing the difference between 볶다 (bokda), which means to stir-fry, and 튀기다 (twigida), to deep-fry, is critical for achieving the correct texture and flavor in a dish. Similarly, understanding 굽다 (gupda) for baking or roasting, or 자르다 (jareuda) for chopping, allows you to accurately interpret recipe steps. These verbs are the building blocks of any culinary instruction. They enable learners to move beyond passive consumption and actively participate in the creation of Korean dishes. From preparing savory pancakes by pan-frying, 지지다 (jijida), to blanching vegetables, 데치다 (daechida), for a side dish, each verb carries specific meaning that shapes the outcome of your meal. Acquiring this vocabulary empowers you to confidently navigate Korean cookbooks, engage with cooking shows, and perhaps even share your own culinary creations in Korean. It transforms the act of cooking into a more immersive and authentic language learning experience, connecting you deeper with Korean culture through its vibrant food traditions.

Start with these cooking words

These entries give you the fastest route into this category: the Korean term, how it is pronounced, and the kind of real sentence where it appears.

볶다

bokda

Stir-fry

A fundamental cooking technique in Korean cuisine. Used for preparing vegetables, rice, and meat dishes. Requires high heat and constant stirring to achieve the perfect texture.

튀기다

twigida

Deep-fry

Popular cooking method for Korean fried chicken and snacks. Requires oil heated to specific temperatures. Creates crispy exterior while keeping inside tender.

지지다

jijida

Pan-fry

A lighter frying method using minimal oil. Commonly used for cooking fish, meat, and pancakes. Creates a golden crust while maintaining moisture inside.

굽다

gupda

Bake

Essential technique for making bread, pastries, and desserts. Requires precise temperature control. Increasingly popular in modern Korean cooking.

로스트하다

roseuteu hada

Roast

Cooking method using dry heat in an oven. Creates caramelized exterior and tender interior. Used for meats, vegetables, and nuts.

약불로 끓이다

yakbul-ro kkeulida

Simmer

Gentle cooking method using low heat. Essential for making stews and braised dishes. Allows flavors to develop slowly and ingredients to become tender.

조리다

jorida

Braise

Slow cooking method combining browning and simmering. Creates rich, complex flavors. Commonly used for tough cuts of meat and root vegetables.

데치다

daechida

Blanch

Quick cooking method using boiling water followed by ice bath. Preserves color and texture of vegetables. Essential preparation step in Korean cooking.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common Korean verb for stir-frying?+

The most common Korean verb for stir-frying is 볶다 (bokda). It's widely used in recipes for dishes like kimchi fried rice or stir-fried noodles. This verb specifically refers to cooking ingredients quickly over high heat, often with oil, ensuring they are well-mixed and cooked through while retaining some texture.

How do you say "to bake" or "to roast" in Korean?+

The verb 굽다 (gupda) covers both "to bake" and "to roast" in Korean. You'd use it for baking bread, roasting meat, or grilling fish. It implies cooking with dry heat, often in an oven or over an open flame, without much liquid. This versatile term is crucial for understanding many traditional and modern Korean cooking methods.

What are the Korean verbs for cutting ingredients like chopping and slicing?+

For cutting ingredients, 자르다 (jareuda) is the general verb for "to chop" or "to cut." However, for a more specific action like "to slice thinly," you would use 저미다 (jeomida). Understanding this distinction helps in preparing ingredients precisely, especially in dishes requiring specific cuts for texture and presentation, such as thinly sliced meat for bulgogi.

Is there a difference between deep-frying and pan-frying in Korean?+

Yes, there are distinct verbs. 튀기다 (twigida) means "to deep-fry," immersing food completely in hot oil, like making fried chicken. In contrast, 지지다 (jijida) means "to pan-fry" or "to shallow-fry," often used for dishes like Korean pancakes (전, jeon) where food is cooked in a small amount of oil on a pan.

How do Koreans describe cooking methods like simmering or braising?+

For simmering, 약불로 끓이다 (yakbul-ro kkeulida) means "to boil on low heat." If you're referring to braising, where food is cooked slowly in a seasoned liquid until tender, the term is 조리다 (jorida). This verb is commonly used for dishes like braised fish or tofu, indicating a reduction of liquid and deep flavor infusion.

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