By Honorary Reporter Gabriela Pimenta from Brazil

Photo = Gabriela Pimenta

Korean cuisine is known for spicy dishes, the most well known being kimchi. Yet many Korean dishes can still appeal to those who dislike or cannot eat spicy foods.

The following are seven non-spicy Korean dishes that are still delicious.

Japchae

This dish was once exclusively served to the royal family and is today one of the most popular traditional dishes of Korea. Its ingredients include glass noodles, mushrooms, meat and vegetables. Japchae is often served on special occasions like a wedding or a child's first birthday.

Gyeranjjim 

This casserole-like dish of steamed eggs can be prepared several ways, the most common being using only eggs, salt, chives and cheese. It can either be served as a side dish with other foods like samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) or eaten alone.

Samgyeopsal

This popular dish of grilled pork belly is accompanied by lettuce, turnip leaves and sauces (all without pepper). Diners grill the meat themselves and use the cooking time to talk to friends or colleagues.

Bibimbap 

This is one of the most popular dishes in Korean cuisine whose name literally means "mixed rice." Consisting of rice, vegetables and meat mixed and prepared in a volcanic stone bowl, this dish usually requires gochujang (red pepper paste) and kimchi but both ingredients can be omitted if desired.

Samgyetang 

This chicken and ginseng soup consists of a whole chicken cooked in garlic broth, jujubes (the plant) and ginseng. This food is said to strengthen the body's immune system and eating it on the hottest day of the year is an annual custom in Korea.

Jeon

This fried pancake comes in fish, chives, meat, vegetable and other flavors. It needs no pepper and can be eaten with other meals, as a snack while drinking rice wine or even as the main dish.

Galbitang

This short-rib soup is made with beef ribs, turnips, onions and other ingredients. This is another dish that was traditionally for the royal family only, but is now for everyone. The soup is also commonly served at weddings.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.