Kimchi Stew Recipe for Love's Unexpected Arrival - The North Korean version of the K-drama that's been a hit in 190 countries

Bottom line: Here's how to recreate the kimchi stew from the global drama "Love Crash Landing" at home with a North Korean twist. Keep up with global trends in K-Food with this recipe for 2025.

1. The global craze for steamed kimchi in love

When Love Crash Landing premiered in 2019, it became more than just a romance drama, it became a global cultural phenomenon. The show's use of North Korean-style kimchi stew piqued the curiosity of viewers around the world. It ranked 6th in US Netflix viewership and achieved a record-breaking Rotten Tomatoes Freshness Index of 971 TP3T.

The scene in the drama where Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) tastes kimchi stew for the first time in a North Korean village left a lasting impression on many viewers. The humble but deeply flavorful dish, made by North Koreans by boiling kimchi and potatoes together, has become a prime example of the new possibilities of K-food.

1) Viewed in 190 countries worldwide, contributing to the spread of the global Korean Wave

2) A surge in international viewers searching for kimchi stew recipes themselves

3) It's 2025 and Netflix still has a steady stream of viewers

2. Characteristics of North Korean-style steamed kimchi

North Korean-style kimchi stew has several distinct differences from its South Korean counterpart. The most notable is the simplicity of the ingredients and the rusticity of the recipe. It has a unique flavor that reflects the climate and sourcing of ingredients in North Korea.

1. Putting potatoes to good use
Potatoes are an essential ingredient in North Korean-style steamed kimchi. The potatoes neutralize the sourness of the kimchi and make it more filling.

2. simple and clean seasoning
Instead of over-seasoning, it lets the natural flavors of the kimchi shine through. Season to taste with garlic, ginger, and light soy sauce.

3. Utilize rice water
It uses rice stock instead of broth to create a savory yet light flavor. It comes from a traditional recipe from the North Korean region.

3. Recreate the Kimchi Stew from the TV show perfectly

Here's a recipe to perfectly recreate the kimchi stew from Falling in Love at home. We've kept the North Korean flavor, but adapted it for modern cooking.

Ingredients (for 2-3 servings)

1. Toss 1/4 of the stale paper (about 400 grams)

2. 300 g pork shoulder

3. 2 potatoes (medium)

4. 1/2 onion

5. 1/2 green onion

Seasoning ingredients

1. 3 cups rice water

2. 3 Tablespoons soy sauce

3. 1 Tablespoon minced garlic

4. 1 Tablespoon sugar

5. 2 Tablespoons perilla oil

4. A step-by-step guide to steaming kimchi

We'll walk you through the process of making North Korean-style kimchi stew step-by-step, making sure you don't miss any important points along the way.

Step 1: Prepare your ingredients (15 minutes)
If the aged kimchi is too sour, rinse it lightly in cold water. Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces, and cut the potatoes into large chunks and soak them in water.

Step 2: Ground the meat (10 minutes)
Season the pork with minced garlic, sake, and black pepper powder - a key step in removing off-flavors and enhancing flavor.

Step 3: Sauté the kimchi (8 minutes)
Start by sautéing the kimchi in a pan with perilla oil. When the sourness of the kimchi has dissipated and it starts to flavor sweet, it's ready.

Step 4: Add meat and veggies (5 minutes)
Add the ground pork to the sautéed kimchi and saute together. When the meat is halfway cooked, add the potatoes and onions.

Step 5: Simmer (40 minutes)
Add the rice water and seasonings, then bring to a boil. Cook over high heat for the first 10 minutes, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

5. K-Food Global Trends and Kimchi Steaming

It's 2025, and K-Food is booming around the world. Korean ramen exports have surpassed $1 billion, up 301 TP3T year-over-year, and Korean food's profile has risen significantly, with seven Korean restaurants included in the New York Times' "100 Best Restaurants" list.

In particular, traditional Korean food, such as kimchi, is showing new possibilities as it becomes known to the world through K-content. Overseas YouTubers have been making kimchi and sharing their recipes with millions of views.

1) Increased kimchi stew recipe searches by 4001 TP3T in the US and Europe

2) Kimchi stew menu proliferation in Japanese and Southeast Asian Korean restaurants

3) Kimchi stew featured more frequently on global culinary programs

6. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

7. related reading

1. Nori exports set another record: $9.97 billion in 2024, driven by K-food superfood craze
2. Why do Koreans eat everything at once? 7 Philosophies Behind the Banchan Culture
3. Why Korean Convenience Store Ice Cup Combinations Are Addicting Foreigners
4. Buldak fried noodle craze: Why Korea's ramen exports surpassed $100 million per month?
5. Aging Kimchi Without a Refrigerator: 15 Ways to Do It Anywhere in the World
6. A Foreigner's Complete Guide to Korean Haejang Food - From Bean Sprout Soup to Buk Eotguk

8. references

1. Analyzing the Global Success of Love Crash Landing - 시사저널
2. Japan's Fourth Hallyu Boom and the Crash of Love - 시사저널
3. Netflix's Crash Landing breaks down global popularity - 머니S
4. K-Food Trend Predictions for 2025 - Samsung WellStory
5. 2025 culinary trends predicted by world chefs
6. Love Crash - Wikipedia