5 Korean Dishes to Eat When You're Under the Weather

It may be the season to be jolly, spread festive cheer and spend quality time with family and friends, but unfortunately, it is also the time for coughs, colds and flu. Be it your overflowing social calendar that’s wearing you down or the colder weather, in general, causing you the sniffles, feeling under the weather in December is far from ideal.

Whilst you can curl up under the duvet with a festive film or enjoy a well-deserved night in front of the fire, there's also a range of feel-good Korean dishes that are sure to warm you from the inside out and will get you back to tip-top condition in no time.

Here at Oriental Mart, we have all of the Korean supermarket ingredients that you need to make some feel-good food at home, so we thought we'd take a look at some of the best dishes to try out when you're feeling under the weather.

From spicy broths to wholesome nibbles and drinks, we've covered everything to create the ultimate guide to the perfect quick-fix meals that are sure to help get you back to normal.

Galbitang

If you’re feeling poorly, soup is a go-to feel-good food option for every cuisine. Galbitang is no different, and the concoction which is made from simmering beef ribs is perfect for those suffering from a blocked nose this December and beyond.

The ribs are simmered over low to medium heat over a long period of time until the meat is tender and can literally be pulled off of the bones.

Full of nutrients, this hearty dish is often served with spicy red peppers which further contribute to the clearing of the sinuses and will give your body the strength and kickstart it needs to fight off your illness.

Samgyetang

Unsurprisingly there is more than one soup to feature on this list, but samgyetang is more of a go-to for those with a fever.

The hot and hearty bowl of chicken soup is unlike any other chicken soup you’ve tried before and is made by stuffing a whole chicken with garlic, rice and ginseng. What differentiates this dish is that the whole chicken is served floating in the broth, with diners needing to cut into the meat to reach the delicious flavours within.

It’s renowned in Korea for its medicinal capabilities and is best known for fighting the fire of fevers, with fire through the heat of the dish.

Juk

A quintessential ‘get well soon’ dish in Korea, Juk is not too dissimilar to porridge and is made from beans, rice, sesame and azuki. The grains are cooked slowly to ensure they are soft and easy to digest, while the presence of the grains provides nutrients to the body.

Interestingly, this is also a popular baby food in Korea.

Ogokbap

"Ogokbap" by KOCIS, used under the Korea Open Government License Type I (via Wikimedia Commons)

When feeling poorly, many will experience a loss or lack of appetite, making it difficult for your body to locate the energy to fight whatever illness you have. For a slightly lighter alternative, why not try and make yourself the basic yet fundamental dish, Ogokbap?

A plethora of rice, grains and beans make up this tasty and hearty dish, and it’s a great way to fight the fatigue that often comes with winter bugs. Despite the combination of simple and complex carbohydrates making for a nutritional meal, this Korean delight is low in calories, meaning you don’t have to worry about your calorie deficit while perhaps lying in bed or on the sofa, unable to move because of the illness.

Legend has it that this go-to meal works as an antidote to both short and long-term illness, hence its popularity in Korea across the generations.

Yuja-cha

"Yujacha" by 국립국어원, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sometimes a winter bug can truly knock you for six, making the thought of eating anything almost unbearable. However, a nice hot cup of Yuja-cha does not demand any manner of appetite and is sure to set you heading in the right direction on the road to recovery.

The delightful concoction is made from the jelly of yuja fruit, preserved in honey and melted with hot water. The beauty of this traditional and natural solution to colds and flu is that it can be made in bulk and stored for days, weeks and even months if stored correctly, thanks to the honey.

This versatile drink is said to help combat almost any symptom under the sun, and many even swear by it as a preventative for warding off future illnesses.

That concludes our guide to the best Korean dishes to warm you up this winter. For more inspiration on Korean food and its many variations, check out our recent blog post, Korean Cinnamon Punch, for another warming winter drink that might help you to feel better if illness strikes.

You can browse our extensive range of Korean food online today, and get it delivered to your door without having to tackle high streets heaving with Christmas shoppers and sub-zero temperatures, so make your order with us today!