If you like Korean food, you probably tried to or at least thought about trying to cook some of the famous dishes by yourself. However, cooking Korean dishes is not that easy if you don’t have proper Korean kitchen utensils. Kitchen utensils in a lot of cases originate from some traditional cooking tools used in the old times. And because Korean food making is so different from the western style, the traditional kitchenware is very different too.

Some of the popular Korean kitchenware items may be unfamiliar and strange to you, but if you try cooking Korean food with the specifically designated cookware, you will see that it tastes much better when you cook or eat it the right way. That’s why we will introduce the most popular items you should know about and you should try using if you plan to cook Korean food.

Chopsticks

© Living_Story Stainless 304 spoon + chopsticks set

Same as in Japan, China and some other Asian countries, in Korea people eat with chopsticks. For western people, eating with two long sticks may seem difficult but in Korea children are taught to use chopsticks around the age of four. So, by the time they are adults it becomes very easy and natural to Korean people. Even while cooking food, it is usually easier for Korean people to use chopsticks instead of spoon or any other western-style cooking utensils. Additionally, it is believed that moving your fingers while using chopsticks helps a lot with brain development. These days Korean chopsticks can be easily purchased online in sets with a spoon, so you always can try to improve your chopsticks skills and try if Korean food tastes better when you use them.

Scissors

© DORCO Basic Kitchen Scissors

This might be strange to people from the Western countries but scissors is a very important kitchen tool in Korea. Koreans mainly use scissors to cut meat into smaller pieces while grilling it. If you’ve ever been to a real Korean bbq restaurant, there is no way you haven’t seen people cutting their meat with the scissors. Additionally, it is used to cut leafy vegetables, kimchi, dried seaweed, or long noodles if people prefer to eat them in shorter pieces. In Korea, you can even find specialized kitchen scissors with features such as multiple blades, bottle openers, and screwdrivers built into the handle.

Makgeolli bowl

© Big Brother Mall Makgeolli Bowls

Makgeolli is a type of Korean fermented rice wine and it is one of the most popular alcohol drinks in Korea. So, a lot of Koreans have special traditional makgeolli bowls at home, in which this drink is served. The bowl is typically wide and shallow with slightly flared sides. There are different sizes, but usually it holds around 100-200ml of makgeolli. Makgeolli has a unique texture and is often served slightly milky or cloudy, so drinking from a bowl allows you to better appreciate the drink’s appearance and aroma. The bowl also accommodates the traditional method of serving makgeolli, where it is poured from a large bottle or jar and shared in small amounts among people. If you are interested in Korean alcohol, this might be a very interesting piece of kitchenware to have at home or even to give as a gift to a friend.

Triangle Kimbap Mold

© Ercorp Triangle Gimbap Mold

If you are interested in Korean food, you’ve probably heard about kimbap. But kimbab has a lot of different types, and one of them is triangle kimbab (or samgak kimbab). This type has a triangular shape and is designed to be easily eaten on the go, which is why it is usually sold in the convenience stores all around Korea. However, if you would like to make a triangle kimbab by yourself, there is a problem. How to make the triangular shape? That’s where you would need the triangle kimbab mold. It’s a quite cheap specialized tool to shape rice into a triangle. These molds are usually made of plastic or silicone, that is food safe and easy to clean. The mold saves time and ensures that each piece of kimbap is the same size and shape, which is especially ideal when preparing large batches for gatherings, parties, or picnics.

Rice cooker

© Cuckoo CRP-LHTR0610FWM Rice Cooker

Probably the most important kitchen appliance in Korea is rice cooker. Rice is Korean staple food and many Korean dishes cannot be imagined without rice. That is why everyone in Korea has a rice cooker in their kitchen. Rice cookers have been there for some time now, but the companies continuously upgrade them and add new features. Beyond just cooking rice, many Korean rice cookers these days offer multiple cooking modes for a variety of dishes. For example, they may include settings for porridge, steaming vegetables or dumplings, soup, and even slow cooking. This versatility makes the rice cooker an essential appliance for preparing a range of Korean dishes, like kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) or some banchans (side dishes).

Ttukbaegi

© Future Buy Company Stone Ttukbaegi

Ttukbaegi is a traditional Krean earthenware pot typically made of thick, heat-retaining clay. Ttukbaegi often has a slightly domed lid and a deep, wide shape. They are known for their ability to retains and evenly distribute heat. So, the food continues to be cooked in the pot even after it’s served, which adds to the dining experience. That is why these traditional pots are considered to be perfect for cooking and serving soups, stews and other dishes. The most common dishes ttukbaegi is used for are kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), sundubu jjigae (tofu stew), dolsot bibimbap (sone pot bibimbap).

Onggi

© Onggi hangari pot

This traditional Korean earthenware is used for making and preserving many Korean traditional food ingredients, like soybean paste, red chili paste, kimchi and so on. Onggi pots are traditionally made of clay. These pots are considered to be an essential part of Korean culinary traditions, since they were used long time ago in ancient Korea. Onggi can be of various sizes and shapes, each designated for a specific purpose. Traditionally, families would store kimchi or sauces in onggi pots outside during colder months, where the outdoor temperature helped with fermentation. The onggi was often placed in the yard or on a rooftop to take advantage of the natural environment. Today, although modern materials have replaced onggi in many homes, they are still valued for their cultural and historical importance, and many people continue to use onggi pots for traditional fermentation and cooking.

Grill

© GMarket Charcoal Barbecue Grill

Korean BBQ is an interactive and social dining experience, which often involves grilling marinated or unmarinated meats like samgyeopsal (pork belly), galbi (short ribs), or bulgogi (marinated beef) at the table. The grill pan allows to grill meat and serve it at home. Korean grill pans are specifically designed to create the same grilling experience you would get from traditional tabletop grills. These pans often feature a raised, ridged surface or a grill pattern that allows fat and juices to drip away from the meat as it cooks, ensuring a crispy, seared texture on the meat while keeping it tender and juicy. The ridges also give the meat those iconic grill marks that enhance both the look and flavor of the dish. A unique feature of many Korean grill pans is their ability to cook meat quickly and evenly. They’re typically used on a stovetop or even directly on a gas flame (with some designs offering a built-in burner), or they can be used with a portable gas stove for an authentic tabletop grilling experience.

Bungeoppang pan

© Maangchi's Korean cooking Bungeoppang pan

This special pan is specifically designed with fish-shaped molds for making Korean fish-shaped pastry with red bean fillings called bungeoppang. The bungeoppang pan is usually made from cast iron or non-stick material, ensuring that the batter cooks evenly and creates a crisp, golden-brown exterior while the inside remains soft and moist. To make bungeoppang, you pour a batter into the molds, fill them with red bean paste or another filling like custard or chocolate, then cover with more batter. The pan is flipped over to cook both sides evenly, ensuring a crisp, golden fish-shaped pastry. Bungeoppang pans are widely used in Korean homes and are also popular for making other types of filled pastries or snacks. These pans are a fun and easy way to recreate the beloved bungeoppang at home, offering a nostalgic experience for those who have enjoyed this street food in Korea.

These Korean kitchen utensils and cookware are not widely recognized outside of Korea, particularly in Western countries, making them unique and thoughtful gift options for anyone interested in Korean culture and cuisine. Whether you're looking to surprise a friend or elevate your own cooking, these tools will bring an authentic touch to your kitchen. If you’re a fan of Korean food, these utensils will not only enhance your cooking experience but also help you prepare dishes with more precision, bringing out the true flavors of Korean cuisine in a way that makes every meal even more delicious.