Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Korean Food” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Introduction to Korean Food
1. What do you know about Korean cuisine?
2. Have you ever eaten Korean food?
3. Can you name any Korean dishes?
4. What do you think makes Korean food unique?
5. How would you describe the taste of Korean food?

II. Common Korean Dishes
6. What is kimchi?
7. Have you tried Korean barbecue?
8. Do you know what bibimbap is?
9. What ingredients are in a typical Korean stew?
10. Can you name a Korean noodle dish?

III. Ingredients in Korean Cooking
11. What is gochujang?
12. Are you familiar with Korean rice cakes, known as tteok?
13. What kinds of meats are popular in Korean dishes?
14. How important is garlic in Korean recipes?
15. Have you heard of the seaweed used in Korean gimbap?

IV. Korean Street Food
16. Can you name any Korean street foods?
17. Have you ever tried Korean fried chicken?
18. What is tteokbokki?
19. Are sweet treats common in Korean street food?
20. What would you like to try from a Korean street food vendor?

V. Korean Food and Culture
21. What role does food play in Korean festivals?
22. Are there special dishes for Korean celebrations?
23. How is food prepared during Korean New Year?
24. Why are meals shared in Korean culture?
25. What is a Korean tea ceremony?

VI. Dining Out Korean Style
26. Have you visited a Korean restaurant?
27. What should you expect when dining at a Korean restaurant?
28. Why might you find metal chopsticks in a Korean eatery?
29. How do you cook food at a Korean barbecue restaurant?
30. What kind of side dishes, or banchan, have you tried?

VII. Vegetarian and Vegan Korean Food
31. Can you be vegetarian and enjoy Korean food?
32. What are some plant-based Korean dishes?
33. How common is tofu in Korean cuisine?
34. What is a temple food in Korea?
35. Are there many vegan options in Korean cooking?

VIII. Korean Soups and Stews
36. What is a jjigae?
37. Have you tasted Korean bone soup, or seolleongtang?
38. What makes a soup or stew uniquely Korean?
39. Can you name a spicy Korean soup?
40. What would you put into a Korean hot pot?

IX. Korean Food at Home
41. Have you ever cooked Korean food?
42. What Korean dishes are easy to make at home?
43. How do you make kimchi?
44. What kitchen utensils are helpful for Korean cooking?
45. Can you suggest a simple Korean recipe?

X. Health and Korean Food
46. Is Korean food considered healthy?
47. What are some health benefits of kimchi?
48. How does fermentation fit into Korean cuisine?
49. Are there any low-calorie Korean dishes?
50. What ingredients in Korean food have medicinal properties?

XI. Experiencing Korean Food
51. Would you like to take a Korean cooking class?
52. What’s your favorite Korean snack?
53. Have you participated in any Korean food festivals?
54. How was your first experience with Korean cuisine?
55. What Korean food would you recommend to a friend?

XII. Miscellaneous Questions on Korean Food
56. Why is rice a staple in Korean meals?
57. How do Korean meals differ from other Asian cuisines?
58. What is makgeolli?
59. Why is sharing food important in Korean culture?
60. What Korean dish would you like to try next?”