Korean diet is known for its healthy and balanced nature. It is distinguished by a wide variety of colorful dishes, rich in flavors, and beneficial for health. Considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, it is based on low-calorie, low-fat foods, but rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential amino acids.
The Basics of Korean Cuisine
South Korean cuisine emphasizes a wide variety of vegetables, chili peppers (especially in kimchi and gochujang), seasonal produce, as well as fermented foods, sesame seeds, ginger, rice, and noodles. For Korean women, a balanced diet is key to longevity and beautiful skin. Indeed, the relationship between nutrition and skin radiance is a core value in Korean culture, and is widely incorporated into the country's traditional medicine.
The 5 fundamental flavors
Korean cuisine is based on five essential flavors: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami, the latter often associated with fermentation. This flavor is found in ingredients like fermented soybean paste, soy sauce, and shiitake mushrooms. These complementary tastes provide a complete sensory experience while also providing health benefits.
Fermentation: the secret to intestinal well-being
At the heart of the Korean diet, fermentation plays a major role, with foods like kimchi, doenjang (fermented soybean paste) and drinks like kefir or kombucha. These fermented products are rich in probiotics, which are beneficial for the balance of the intestinal microbiota, essential for digestion, metabolism and the immune system. A balanced microbiota influences not only intestinal transit, but also overall immunity.
Essential Foods in Korean Cuisine
- Rice: A staple of Korean cuisine, rice is consumed daily. About 60 kg of rice per year per person is consumed in South Korea. Its slightly sticky texture makes it a perfect accompaniment to a multitude of dishes.
- Kimchi: A true culinary symbol of Korea, kimchi is a traditional dish of lacto-fermented vegetables, often cabbage, seasoned with chili peppers, garlic and ginger. Rich in probiotics, it promotes intestinal health and can be consumed throughout the day.
- Bibimbap: This popular dish consists of rice, stir-fried vegetables, beef and an egg, usually seasoned with chili and soy paste. This dish reflects the balance of flavors and textures, with a combination of proteins, vegetables and grains.
Korean Drinks: Tea and Fermented Beverages
Tea in Korea is much more than just a drink, it is an ancestral ritual. The highly appreciated green tea undergoes drying which prevents the fermentation of the leaves, giving it a yellowish color during infusion. This tea, rich in antioxidants, is often accompanied by fermented drinks such as kombucha, which further strengthen the intestinal microbiota.
Beauty through food
In Korea, beauty and nutrition are inseparable. Korean women limit their consumption of animal fats and fried foods, and favor a diet low in dairy products, thus promoting radiant skin. Dishes are prepared according to a logic of balance of colors and natural elements, reflecting the Korean philosophy of well-being and harmony.
A balanced diet for lasting health
Korean cuisine is distinguished by its nutritional richness and health benefits. Combining a balance of flavors and textures, it is part of a thousand-year-old tradition where food, health and beauty are one. Iconic dishes such as kimchi, bibimbap and fermented drinks provide both taste and nutritional benefits, contributing to longevity and optimal health.
Whether you are looking for new culinary horizons or want to adopt a healthy and balanced diet, Korean cuisine is an inexhaustible source of inspiration.