COOKING and enjoying your favourite Korean dishes in the comfort of your own home is no longer wishful thinking.
Make K Plus Food Market at The Curve in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, your first stop.
As Malaysia's largest all-inclusive premium Korean food market, K Plus offers everything from Korean inspired cafes, fresh meat and seafood corner, special Korean side dish (banchan) and kimchi corner and much more.
You will be spoilt for choices of its ready-to-eat or easy-to-cook ingredients.
Here are five of my favourite meals to grab at K Plus Food Market!
MUST HAVE
One of my favourite zones is the Kimchi & Side Dishes corner as it offers over 150 types of kimchi and Korean side dishes.
There are some uniquely flavoured imported varieties available, but there are fresh homemade varieties too.
Made fresh daily, these kimchis have just the right saltiness, sweetness and a kick of heat. They're priced at around RM15 per 500gm and are definitely one of the must haves at home.
You can make Kimchi Jjigae soup or Kimchi Fried Rice for a fusion twist, and even have it as a side dish to boost up your palate - just like a sambal.
Now is probably the best time to give K Plus a visit as it is now hosting the Kimchi Festival month.
Happening until Nov 27, the promotion offers fresh kimchi at a discounted price.
There are also kimchi-making class on Nov 20 and Nov 27, priced at RM20 per person.
There are two slots per day, seats are limited.
SOEGOGI-GUI OR BULGOGI?
Craving for something grilled, or a simple stir-fry meat, but no time to marinate or make your own sauce?
Not to worry, K Plus has got you covered.
At the Meat Corner, not only you can buy fresh cut meats and poultry but you can also buy meat that has been marinated with Korean sauces of all sorts.
My favourite pick is the Australian Angus short rib cut in cubes marinated with a simple recipe and a mix of green and red pepper as well as sliced carrots - best to stir fry it and have with a bowl of warm sticky rice. Yum!
But if you love something spicy, the corner also offers the Korean BBQ Gochujang chilli paste marinated beef and the Korean BBQ marinated beef spicy bulgogi.
Check out the daily offerings as it tends to change quite often. Oh and the price is not bad at all, ranging from RM20 to RM100.
WARM CHICKEN SOUP
I remember my last visit to South Korea, it was during winter and all I wanted was to have a bowl of warm soup in that cold weather and my friend took me to a traditional restaurant serving Ginseng Chicken.
It has a mild flavour that gives you a cosy, soothing feeling - best to have it on a rainy day, or when you have a fever or runny nose.
Surprise, surprise… Here at K Plus, you can actually buy a cook-your-own Ginseng Chicken with the fresh chicken and all the ingredients pre-packed for just as low as RM35.
YUMMY SIDE DISHES
Of course, when having Korean food, side dishes are a must! Oh you know Koreans, they usually have at least three side dishes on the side and if you are too lazy to prepare and cook, just buy the freshly made side dishes at K Plus.
My favourite is definitely the Chibokkeum which is the stir-fried Korean gyeongwa myeo which is the little anchovies that has a sweet taste and perfect crispy texture as well as Gochu Jangajji which is a seasoned red pepper perfect for those who enjoy a little spicy in their food.
Most of the side dishes are priced as low as RM12 per 100g, depending on the selection. There are also octopus, jellyfish and other exotic side dishes that are worth trying.
GRAB A DOSIRAK AND GO
Too lazy to even cook? Check out K Plus's cafe or the ready-to-eat hot meals zones for Korean lunch boxes, Dosirak.
Although the menu changes daily and some things are seasonal, it's very interesting to try out some amazing selections such as bulgogi, sushi rolls and many more.
For me, I always jump to the kimbap zones where some great selections of freshly made kimbap rolls are offered.
My favourite is the simple imchobab roll served with just slices of fish - my favourite is definitely salmon!
