Korean Chinese Fusion Food

For some, Korean food is a family-favourite that will never fail to please. Others find it difficult to top the delight of a Chinese. However, one of the best-kept secrets about oriental cuisine is that the pair can actually be fused together to complement the strengths of both, making for a powerful combination like no other. Korea and China have been connected throughout generations, so it’s hardly surprising that culinary habits and traditions have been exchanged over time. Recent accounts suggest the fusion of Korean Chinese cuisine as we know it comes from a settlement of ethnic Chinese people in the city of Incheon, just before the start of the 20th century. We’ve put together a list of some of the best-known main and side dishes that can be categorised as Korean Chinese food for you to look out for the next time you’re out for dinner or browsing Chinese supermarket food.

Mapa dubu

A spicy, delicious Sichuanese tofu dish can also be ordered as a fusion, including minced beef, tofu, peppers and onions. The taste is fiery and certainly not for those that are wary of hot food, although it can be served with rice to balance out the strong flavour.

Jjajangmyeon

Perhaps the best-known fusion dish, this Korean-Chinese masterpiece is based on black bean sauce and noodles. If you’ve never heard of the name before but have eaten at a Korean-Chinese restaurant before, chances are this is the name of the black bean sauce noodle plate that no one is quite sure who ordered. The sauce is versatile and can include a plethora of ingredients, including pork, seafood or sliced vegetables like aubergine or cucumber. The name for the dish directly translates as fried sauce noodles and are the iconic thick noodles that Korea are known for made from white wheat flour. Jjajangbap is a variation of this dish that swaps out noodles for rice.

Danmuji

Closer to Japanese cuisine than Chinese, this pickled daikon radish makes a complimentary side for almost any Korean Chinese meal. Interestingly, most Korean Chinese fusion menus will have no more than four side dishes on offer, with Danmuji being one and kimchi, raw onions and black bean dipping sauce making up the other three. The tangy, tantalising side can easily be made at home with basic oriental ingredients, so why not give it a go to accompany your next takeaway?

Jjamppong

A must-have for any spicy food lovers with a passion for fresh sea-food and chewy noodles, Jjamppong is an acquired taste to say the least. A king of Korean Chinese fusion food and ingredients tend to include onions, garlic, carrots, pork, squid, cabbages, zucchini and mussels. This meal is always served piping hot, and portions tend to be on the generous side in terms of quantity. Any leftovers make for a fantastic warming lunch this winter.

Tangsuyuk

The Korean Chinese fusion answer to sweet and sour chicken, this tasty dish is full of flavour and benefits from the addition of wholesome vegetables and fruits such as apple, pineapple, cucumbers, onions, peas and carrots. There is also a pork and a beef version of the popular choice, and it’s not uncommon to see a table order a variation of the meats thanks to the fantastic flavour of the sauce. When eating this out at a restaurant or making at home, the first things you’ll notice are the crunchy batter and the sweet jelly sauce.

Kkanpunggi

One for the garlic lovers amongst us, this dish is spicy and flavoursome, featuring an exotic assortment of veggies alongside deep-fried pork. Peas, peppers, dried red peppers and onions help to explain the explosion of colour to this fusion dish, and pork can easily be substituted with chicken or beef, or made vegetarian with tofu.

Mandu

A Korean twist on the classic Chinese jiaozi, mandu is essentially steamed buns, the demand of which is ever-increasing within popular culture. Fried, steamed or boiled, and similar to Japanese Gyozas, this delicious accompaniment to any meal is usually served with soy sauce. For more on dumplings, check out our recent blog post, 15 Types of Dumpling from Around the World.

We hope you’ve enjoyed browsing some of the best Korean Chinese fusion foods around and now know what to look out for if you’re hoping to experiment with this cuisine. Here at Oriental mart, we have a range of fantastic oriental food on offer, and you can browse our ‘aisles’ from the comfort of your own home whilst creating your next home-cooked Asian menu. In our korean supermarket, you’ll find the very best Asian ingredients as well as a variety of kits to help you get started!