Korean Cuisine - Health Food for The Discerning Diner
November 12 - Written by Crystal Andino
Did you know that Korean food is considered one of the healthiest cuisines? This is not just a common belief, it’s also backed by research. One of the reasons Korean foods are healthy is the variety of ingredients used to prepare food dishes.
Let’s take a look at some of the most unique food ingredients used in Korean cuisine that aren’t found in other cuisines or are not as common, as well as some of the health benefits of Korean foods.
INGREDIENTS USED IN KOREAN CUISINE
FERMENTED CABBAGE
Fermented cabbage is an ingredient used in a very popular Korean food, Kimchi. It’s seasoned with ginger, red pepper, and garlic for added taste.
SEAWEED
Another unique ingredient you won’t find in your everyday food is seaweed. Seaweed is used in rice rolls, also called kimbap or gimbap. These roles are like sushi and have other vegetables meat, and eggs as well.
STEAMED VEGETABLES
Steamed vegetables are very common in almost all Korean foods. These vegetables include spinach, bean sprouts, eggplant, zucchini, and more. They are served as sides for steaks and burgers as well.
TOFU
If you’re a vegetarian, you must know what tofu is. However, it’s not that common in people who eat meat. Tofu is an important part of Korean cuisine. Foods like tofu stew, tofu with rice, called bibimbap, and tofu soup are very commonly eaten.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF KOREAN FOOD
PREVENTION OF RESPIRATORY DISEASES AND VIRAL DISEASES
Modern Korean cuisine originates from traditional Korean food that helps prevent respiratory diseases and protects against viral diseases, as per research. These ingredients include fermented mushrooms, grains, herbs, and fruit.
HEALTHY BACTERIA GOOD FOR OVERALL HEALTH
Since most of the food ingredients in Korean cuisine are fermented, there are a lot of healthy bacteria that are good for health. These foods also have probiotics that fight off infections inside the body.
LOW SATURATED FATS
Korean cuisine usually treats meat as a side. Despite being delicious, meat contains saturated fats which increase your body's cholesterol. More fermented fruits and vegetables and less saturated fat add up to a healthy diet and can help people who are struggling with high body cholesterol levels.
If you’re interested in trying authentic Korean cuisine, Pangaea Grill is one of the best dinner restaurants in Carmel, CA. We also serve breakfast and lunch and have a bar so you can enjoy the best wines and cocktails. Reserve a table for yourself today.