10 Korean Food Shows on Netflix
Here is a list of amazing TV shows to watch featuring Korean foods that will make you want to try new recipes at home immediately. Courtesy of Netflix, thank you for bringing the world into our living rooms. These are not simply cooking shows, they weave stories that explain culture and customs in regards to the food eaten in Korea.
I highly suggest watching episodes from other countries as well, it’s really fascinating.
Netflix brings us glorious foreign language TV with pretty damn good subtitles. Enjoy these Korean TV shows, but bring all the snacks and settle in- you can’t multitask as you gotta keep your eyes on the translations!
By the way, these are all documentary/cooking type shows. No K-dramas here, sorry.
Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody
This “Rhapsody” series is hosted by self-proclaimed Korean “food researcher”, Jong-Won Paik. He is currently the hottest food celebrity who is not actually a chef. His curiosity and enthusiasm for enjoying foods to the fullest has led to a trusted restaurant brand with over a thousand branches in Korea. He’s known as a no-frills cook, often using easy to find substitutes (cutting the fluff from recipes and using simple sugar-and lots of it is a trademark). His recipes have become go-tos for many amateur home cooks wanting to make tasty food.
This series is crafted beautifully- mouthwatering close-ups, slow-mo cooking shots and a storyline made interesting with revealing histories of foods. This series is a must-watch for Korean food fans. OPPA loves this show. TheWife loves this show as well.
The Pork Belly show delves into Korea’s love affair with this fatty cut of meat.
“I love this show.”
Hanwoo (Korean Beef) Rhapsody
Hanwoo or Hanu Beef is locally grown and considered the best in quality. A high price tag reflects the limited supply and high demand. All about tender, wonderful beef grown in Korea.
Korean Cold Noodles Rhapsody
All about Korea’s love for cold noodles aka Nengmyun.
“Neng-M-Yawn” Help me Pronounce it!
Cold? Noodles? Yes, sometimes with broth that’s made into an icy slush in the sweltering hot summer months. You’ve never had a meal so refreshing. Ice cold, baby.
Paik’s Spirit
This one is for Jung-Won Paik fans (who wouldn’t be after watching the Rhapsody series?) and those who enjoy adult beverages. Of course, there has to be food and this one is all about the Korean hearty bar snacks- err, rather bar foods would be more appropriate.
The Hungry and The Hairy
Featuring comedian Hong-Chul Ro and the K-pop superstar of the 2000’s: Rain. They travel around Korea on motorbikes and eat food. It’s supposed to be a chill show with breathtaking shots of the country.
The Hungry is Rain and the Hairy (I hope it’s about the ‘stache 😂) is Mr. Ro apparently.
OPPA says: Too much talking, not enough eating. Pass.
TheWife says: I enjoyed the aerial shots of places in Korea that are not Seoul, but yes, there was an awful lot of talking (about nothing really). But then maybe it’s because I’m not a big fan of Comedian Ro or aged K-pop star Rain. When a second sunset dragged on for 5 minutes with the two just admiring the views in silence, I started fast forwarding a lot to when food actually made an appearance. The concept was good- two dudes riding their bikes, eating good food- but… it’s not the greatest in execution. Loved the video editing though!
Update: This show is growing on me. A good one to watch while folding laundry.
There is a must-watch episode in this series!
I wrote a blog post about it: “Traditional Jongga House and Meal”, it’s Episode 8 and shows you a very traditional Korean meal setup.
Chef’s Table (Season 3: Episode 1) Buddhist monk Jeong Kwan
This is the second Korean food show on this platform that made me want to discover more of the same. Jeong Kwan is an intuitive chef (not previously trained) and cooks from nature, plating foods to appeal to the eyes as well as the mouth. All ingredients are locally grown or sourced and the results would not look out of place at any overpriced restaurant. Monk Kwon is also admired by world-renown chef Eric Ripert (his restaurant Le Bernardin in New York City has 4 stars from The New York Times and 3 stars from the Michelin Guide).
This too, beautifully shot. Also you get a chance to see a lesser seen face of Korean food- subdued, graceful and exquisite (rather than Gochujang! Sugar! Bam in your face flavours.)
TheWife: This was the ultimate in #foodgoals. Using natural, whole food ingredients. Gorgeous and thoughtfully made, it was very inspirational.
Street Food: Asia (Episode 6) Korean Market Foods
This is the episode that first got me into Korean food shows on Netflix. All about Korea’s famous foodie market: Gwangjang Market. They feature a Banchan (side dish) spot that I’ve been to before and wanted to see if they did it justice. They did.
If you’re planning a trip to Korea, watch this first, then go.
Ugly Delicious (Season 1: Episode 5) Korean BBQ
My favourite celebrity chef, who happens to be Korean, David Chang’s show. This episode features a Korean BBQ restaurant at 37:12 but the whole episode (as well as the series) is really worth a watch.
It shows how people enjoy grilled meats in different parts of the world. I love (love!) these types of comparisons that lead to the realization that people are essentially the same everywhere (in our quest to eat deliciousness lol) but the variation is what makes life exciting and wonderful.
“I’m a David Chang fan 4life.”
The Chef Show (Season 1: Part 3: Episode 2) Chef Roy Choi
I was unfamiliar with this show but here’s a cool, chill atmosphere that works. It’s casual, it’s fun, Gochujang is put into a blender. Totally doable recipes and I enjoyed it.
Roy Choi is another hot Korean chef that I was unaware of, but he sounds intriguing. Troubled teen years (drugs), but found salvation in food (he says Emeril saved his life), attended the Culinary Institute of America, worked as a hotel chef before striking out into the food truck scene in 2008 with Kogi.
Awarded “Best New Chef” from Food and Wine magazine in 2010 and fast forward to several restaurants in California and one in Nevada. He’s worked with David Chang and Wolfgang Puck. This episode is worth watching just to check out his Vegas restaurant, very cool.
Featuring Korean Spicy Pork BBQ at timestamp 16:08.
Midnight: Asia (Season 1: Episode 2) Nightlife including Night Eats
This one was not solely about food, but nightlife in general. Asia is rich in nighttime culture- drinking, eating, socializing and… eating late into the night. Take a look at what you could be eating when those midnight munchies call.
Bonus is the introduction to the hipster bar scene and craft distilleries cropping up.
Know of any other Korean food shows to watch?
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