Bridging Cultures: Ukrainian Flavors in My Korean Life

Hello! My name is Kateryna 👩🏼, and I’m from Ukraine. Three years ago, I made a life-changing decision to move to South Korea. This decision opened up many opportunities for me, but it also brought some challenges, especially when it came to missing the comforts of home 🏘

In this review, I want to share my experience of finding ingredients, cooking Ukrainian dishes, and the places where I can enjoy the flavors of home while living in South Korea.

❤️ Cooking has always played an important role in my life, and every time I prepare a meal, I not only satisfy my gastronomic cravings but also recreate memories that bring warmth and comfort. While I’ve grown to love Korean cuisine for its diversity and richness, there are moments when I miss the Ukrainian dishes I grew up with. I don’t cook Ukrainian food every day, but nostalgia for those familiar flavors often returns. Recreating those unique tastes and dishes from my homeland has become a bit of an art form for me 🥗

Sourcing Ingredients for Ukrainian Dishes: Tips for Life in Korea

Ukrainian cuisine is known for its hearty and comforting dishes, and one of its defining features is the lack of spiciness. Unlike many Asian cuisines that incorporate hot peppers or fiery sauces, Ukrainian dishes rely on rich flavors from fresh, natural ingredients like root vegetables, grains, and dairy 🧡

This makes it quite approachable for those who aren't fans of overly spicy food 🌶

What's great about living in South Korea is that many of the essential ingredients for Ukrainian recipes can be easily found in local supermarkets and shops. You don't need to search for exotic or hard-to-find products to recreate the taste of home. Staples like potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, and beets are widely available and often affordable. Even some of the more traditional ingredients, like sour cream or dill, can be found in most Korean grocery stores or international sections 😉

Of course, there are certain things that are unique to Ukrainian cuisine—like homemade pickles, fermented products, or specific sausages—but these can often be substituted or even made from scratch with the right know-how. Living abroad doesn’t have to mean giving up the comfort of familiar food; with a little creativity, you can enjoy the flavors of Ukraine right in your Korean kitchen👌🏻

However, there are still some ingredients that can be tricky to find in regular Korean supermarkets. For those special items, I often make my way to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (동대문역사문화공원역) station. Tucked away near this bustling area are small stores that specialize in products from post-Soviet countries. These shops are a treasure trove for anyone longing for authentic flavors, offering a little slice of comfort far from home.

Also, in both Seoul and Suwon, there are plenty of local markets where you can stock up on fresh ingredients. When I'm in Suwon, two markets stand out as my favorites:

👉 Paldalmun Market (팔달문시장) - located near the historic Paldalmun Gate, this is one of Suwon's oldest and largest markets. It's a lively hub where you can discover everything from fresh vegetables to Korean spices, fish, meat, and even various local snacks. The market’s vibrant atmosphere and wide selection make it a must-visit.

👉 Motgol Market (못골종합시장) - this traditional market is beloved by locals for its fresh products and affordable prices. You’ll find a diverse range of items here, including vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, and popular Korean delicacies. The quality of the goods and the community feel of the market make it a great place to shop for both daily essentials and culinary inspiration.

With markets like these, keeping my kitchen stocked with fresh ingredients is never a problem, and I can easily incorporate the flavors of both Ukraine and Korea into my meals 🏪

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To prepare authentic Ukrainian dishes, I also take advantage of online shopping options that make it easy to find the ingredients I need. Here are some of my go-to platforms:

👉 Coupang (쿠팡) - known for its wide selection, Coupang offers everything from fresh and frozen foods to imported goods. It's incredibly convenient, with quick delivery and a vast range of products to choose from.

👉 Market Kurly (마켓컬리) - if you’re looking for premium-quality products, Market Kurly is the place to go. They specialize in high-end and healthy foods, including gourmet imported items that can elevate any dish.

👉 Bozoraka - app for ingredients from post-Soviet countries, the Bozoraka app is a fantastic option. It’s a reliable platform where you can order traditional products online, and they frequently offer discounts, making it an even better deal for those seeking familiar flavors.

These platforms ensure I can easily gather all the essentials for my Ukrainian recipes, combining the best of both local and international offerings, right from the comfort of my home 👍🏻

Also, if I urgently need vegetables such as onions, green onions, garlic or hot peppers, I go to the GS25 convenience store, it is very convenient and fast.

Culinary Adventures: Cooking My Favorite Ukrainian Dishes

I love making borscht, varenyky, mashed potatoes with cutlets, stewed potatoes, and salads. 

Here are a few of my favorite dishes that I often prepare:

Borscht - this is not just a soup; it’s a symbol of Ukrainian cuisine. In my family, there was always a rule: the more ingredients, the better! I remember how my mother and I would gather fresh beets and cabbage from our garden, then spend hours in the kitchen, laughing and telling stories while the borscht simmered. Now, when I cook it in Korea, I think of those moments and try to infuse the soup with the same love and warmth that my mom once gave me 🥣