13 BEST Korean Appetizers: Authentic Korean-Styled Dishes🥢

Thanks for stopping by! We have a list of our best Korean Appetizers to inspire your next Asian-themed meal!

South Korea is best known for many things due to the boom of the K-Pop scene.
With stars like BTS and Blackpink, the music entertainment industry of South Korea is well-known.

But another thing that South Korea is also known for is their amazingly delicious food!

A hotspot for the Korean dinner table would be their Korean barbeque, such as grilling and roasting their meats on a charcoal grill along with a ton—and we mean, a TON—of side dishes and appetizers to go along with their meal.

But that’s not all!

Did you know?

Korean appetizers are also on another level and equally tasty as their popular main meals, Samgyeopsal and Bulgogi!

With popular appetizers such as Kimchi and Jeon, you are guaranteed a full stomach by the end of your meal!

Despite the popular choices, there are many different appetizers that everyone should know more about.

Whether it’s the Dubu Kimchi Stir-fry With Tofu and Quick-Pickled Chard or the Yachae Hotteok, your cravings for Korean delicacies will be satisfied!

#3‘s Dakgangjeong or Korean Sweet & Spicy Chicken Wings will make your stomach grumble just by reading the recipe!

These appetizers compliment any main course meal you have ready on your dinner table!

So go and read up on these 13 Korean appetizer recipes and learn how to make them right in your kitchen!

1. Korean Tacos With Bulgogi Beef & Spicy Crema

Now, you might be thinking.

Hold on, Korean Tacos?

Two cuisines, Korean and Mexican, infused together in one?

And with that, we say, yes!

Nothing goes better than Bulgogi beef meat added in a taco and spicy sriracha lime crema to complement the beef.

Why choose only one?

With this Korean and Mexican infusion, you can have the best of both worlds!

2. Yachae Hotteok (Korean Vegetable Pancake)

Hotteoks are pancakes stuffed with different ingredients, usually sweet foods and nuts.

But for Yachae Hotteok, these savory pancakes are filled with noodles and chopped vegetables!

Take a bite into this pancake and be greeted with a crunchy exterior, followed by the fluffy batter mixed with your favorite vegetables.

Just buy some Asian chives, carrots, onions, and an assortment of sauces and spices from your local Korean supermarket.

Preparing this is enjoyable, so feel free to invite your family and friends to create this special pancake.

You can serve this up during a party and show your friends your prowess when it comes to Korean appetizers!

This appetizer is such a fantastic dish to spruce up your usual meals!

3. Dakgangjeong (Korean Sweet & Spicy Chicken Wings)

Buying and eating fried chicken wings from your favorite chicken shop is a great way to spend your afternoon.

Making your own Korean sweet and spicy chicken wings is much better!

South Korea’s fried chicken is well-known worldwide, as various media such as K-Dramas show the crispness and juiciness of their poultry dish.

This appetizer is no different!

Feel the richness of the crispy Korean fried chicken glazed in a special sauce.

This recipe also uses boneless chicken wings for you to have a clean plate afterward!

Dig your teeth into one piece and let the juices and flavors ooze out from your chicken.

After eating this up, you’ll surely be licking your fingers!

4. Saewu Ganghwe (Spring Onion Tied Shrimp & Asparagus)

Beautiful to look at, elegant and refined on the outside.

Yet easy to assemble and has a flavor that pops in your mouth!

Ganghwe is a term that refers to a dish of small rolls.

It is commonly made and prepared by tying ingredients together with thin spring onion.

Once you get the hang of creating Ganghwes, you will be cranking up these appetizers like there’s no tomorrow!

With the luscious taste of the shrimp coinciding with the asparagus and spring onions, you will smile with every bite.

Serve this up, and you will make an excellent, lasting impression on your family and friends!

5. Fire Rabokki (Ramen+Tteokbokki)

Having your mouth feel like it’s on fire may be daunting, yet worth it if the food you eat is heavenly good.

Taking a bite of this appetizer will do the trick!

This fiery appetizer is not for the faint of heart.

But with a spectacular taste such as this, who can honestly stop themselves?

Combining ramen noodles with rice cakes (tteokbokki) is the perfect combo, hence the name rabokki.

Get your milk, prepare for battle against the spice and dig in for this appetizer that will be hot, hot, HOT!

6. Korean Air Fryer BBQ Chickpeas

Chickpeas are an easy appetizer to finish.

You’re already satisfied and ready for the next meal with a handful of these!

This Korean BBQ Chickpeas recipe, however, is the next big deal!

An air fryer is a must while preparing this appetizer, and it is a faster and easier cooking option than roasting or baking your chickpeas in the oven.

Indulge yourself in this snack and prepare to be complimented for making a perfect appetizer for your main course!

7. Jjukkumi Gui (Spicy Grilled Baby Octopus)

Octopus might be an uncanny appetizer.

The notion of cooking this sea animal is also tricky to handle.

However, the Spicy and Grilled Baby Octopus is a must-have on your plate!

Baby octopuses are much easier to cook and are naturally tender, too.

Marinate some spicy gochujang sauce for your octopuses, and grill them for a smoky finish.

Serve these octopuses on a plate, and enjoy your new flavorsome appetizer!

8. Dubu Kimchi Stir-Fry With Tofu & Quick-Pickled Chard

Craving for some delectable stir-fry before your meal?

Have some Kimchi Stir-Fry With Tofu and Quick-Pickled Chard!

A popular Korean bar snack inspires this appetizer.

You can also add some gochujang or sweet chile paste for that added heat.

Kids can also help with the preparation.

So if you’re a mom and you want your kids to help out in the kitchen, let your children help with this appetizer!

Enjoy and relish in your yummy stir-fry!

9. Kimchijeon (Kimchi Pancakes)

Kimchi and jeon are two trendy appetizers known in mainstream media.

Yet have you ever tried having both?

With some Kimchi Pancakes, you can have the perfect mix!

Just as ramen and tteokbokki go well together, kimchi and jeon combine the kimchi’s spice and saltiness with the jeon’s crispiness.

Prepare some of the dish’s special sauce to accompany your pancakes, and your taste buds will thank you!

With a gentle amount of the sauce, you have Kimchi Pancakes to die for!

10. Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancake)

To continue with the pancake trend, we have prepared another pancake recipe.

Mung Bean Pancakes are another viable (and yummy) option for you!

The batter is entirely made with ground mung beans, which gives it that rich and unique taste of the mung bean.

Along with the traditional mung bean recipe, there is also a kimchi mung bean style, so options within an option!

Choose to your liking, as these pancakes will undoubtedly be widely praised for their texture, consistency, and flavor.

Although the color is a bit reddish in tone, it is not as spicy as it looks, so don’t fret!

Make sure to try out some new flavors with this appetizer!

11. Haepari Naengchae (Jellyfish Salad)

If octopuses aren’t your thing, why not try out some jellyfish?

This Jellyfish Salad may be daunting to taste, but once you overcome that initial fear, you will be welcomed warmly.

The texture is phenomenal, with the perfect balance of chewy and crunchy.

You may remove the jellyfish if it’s not up to your liking, as there are various possible substitutes for this convenient salad.

The salad is easy to make, and the dressing that goes along with it adds more punch to an already wonderful salad!

Broaden your horizons and enjoy this unique twist!

12. Korean Fried Tofu & Zucchini

Tofu has made its way into this list yet again due to its versatility and immense flavor!

This Fried Tofu and Zucchini ensemble is an appetizer to behold.

It’s pretty fast to make, as it only requires a prep time of 15 minutes and a cook time of 20 minutes.

This appetizer can also be served as a side dish or midnight snack.

The best way to eat these can also be for your packed lunches!

This appetizer’s savory taste will fill your stomach with delight and happiness!

13. Korean Macaroni Salad

We might as well say that we saved the best for last!

Korean Macaroni Salads are a necessity and a commendable option to choose from the 13 appetizers we have tackled!

The creamy and zesty sauce gives this macaroni salad a kick!

If you’re not a fan of veggies, you can always swap out the veggies for chopped broccoli, onions, carrots, or corn.

After eating, you’ll say that you can’t get enough!

The bottom line

Korean food is hot on the market right now.

Various meals, recipes, and appetizers are popular in Korea’s fast and bustling cuisine!

And these 13 appetizers are sure to brighten up your day.

Whether at home, work, school, a party, or a social gathering, your appetizers will be the talk of the town.

There’s a lot more to Korean appetizers than the usual kimchi.

Delicious and fulfilling on your stomach, yet still leaving room for your main courses.

That’s what Korean appetizers are all about!

Looking for more Korean food options, we’ve compiled lists of 25 Best Korean Recipes, 25 BEST Korean Side Dishes, 25 Popular Korean Desserts, and 13 BEST Soju Cocktails that you should definitely check out.