A Cozy Weekend at Home — What Do Koreans Cook for a Relaxing Weekend?
A brand new week has begun here in Korea! Looking back at this past weekend, I started my morning a bit lazily but ended up having quite a productive afternoon. More importantly, it was a time for my stomach to take a much-needed break.
Lately, my family and I have been overeating and treating our digestive systems a bit too harshly with constant dining out. To give our bodies a comfortable rest, I decided to cook some heartwarming home meals over the weekend.
Today, I want to share a glimpse into our kitchen and show you what kind of comforting homemade dishes Koreans enjoy to unwind during a relaxing weekend!
The Ultimate Comfort Duo: Grilled Spam and Squid Radish Soup
For our weekend table, I prepared a meal that is incredibly simple and humble, yet completely easy on the stomach and universally loved by both adults and kids in Korea: Grilled Spam and Oujingeo Mu-guk (Squid and Radish Soup).
The Magical Trio (Plus Kimchi): Every Korean Husband’s Dream Weekend Meal
To many Westerners, canned Spam might look like emergency ration food or a cheap pantry staple. But in Korea, it holds a surprisingly prestigious status! Not only is it one of the most popular luxury gift sets exchanged during traditional holidays, but it is also a legendary Bap-doduk (literally translated as “rice thief”—a term we use for dishes so delicious they make your rice disappear in seconds) when paired with warm, fluffy white rice.
In fact, this is the exact meal my husband craves most on a lazy weekend afternoon. His ultimate comfort request is what I call the “Golden Trio”: golden-brown Grilled Spam, a crispy Fried Egg, and savory Seasoned Seaweed (Gim), all served alongside a warm bowl of white rice.
When you add a side of well-fermented Kimchi to this lineup, it creates an absolute, flawless harmony. For my husband, this simple meal is the ultimate definition of a relaxing, carefree weekend. ;)
Honestly, it’s not just him—this cozy, nostalgic combination is universally adored by both kids and adults across the country.
Completing the Table with Flavorful Sides and a Comforting Soup
Looking through the fridge, I found some Natto (fermented soybeans) and Oujingeo-jeot (salted, fermented spicy squid) and immediately added them to the table. Both are incredible side dishes that possess a natural affinity for warm, white rice.
To bring the whole meal together, I also whipped up a pot of Oujingeo Mu-guk (Squid and Radish Soup), a classic comfort soup that I hadn’t made in quite a while but was suddenly craving.
More Than Just Food: The Warmth of an “Oujingeo-guk” and a Father’s Love
Have any of you watched the Korean drama ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ (폭삭 속았수다) on Netflix, starring Park Bo-gum and IU? Set against the beautiful yet raw backdrop of Jeju Island, it’s a touching story about our parents’ generation—how they endured incredibly harsh conditions and sacrificed everything to raise their children.
Since the drama is set on an island, Oujingeo-guk (Squid Soup) frequently appears on the family’s dinner table. The father, Gwan-sik, works as a fisherman, so catching squid is literally how he puts food on the table. One of the recurring, quiet moments that stayed with me is how Gwan-sik, a man completely devoted to his wife and daughter, Geum-myeong, would always scoop out the chewy squid pieces from his own bowl and gently place them into his daughter’s, knowing it was her favorite.
In this story, the squid is far more than just seafood. For Gwan-sik, it represents everything he has to give. He braves the rough seas to catch squid to buy their home, support his children, and even at the dining table, he gives up his own portion for his daughter.
Later in the drama, when his daughter is all grown up and they go out to eat together, there’s a scene where he orders Jjamppong (a spicy seafood noodle soup). Once again, he quietly picks out the squid from his bowl and passes it to her. It’s a subtle, fleeting moment, but it speaks volumes about the immense, wordless love of a father. Back when I was completely hooked on that drama, it made me crave a warm bowl of Squid Radish Soup so badly! ^^ Hahaha.
Anyway, If you want to bring the comforting warmth of Jeju Island right into your kitchen, here is a quick and foolproof guide to making my family’s favorite Oujingeo Mu-guk!
<Ingredients>
- Fresh Squid 1 large or 2 medium-sized squids (cleaned and sliced into bite-sized pieces)
- Korean Radish (Mu) About 2 to 2.5 cups, thinly sliced into small squares (about 1/4 inch thick)
- Water: 5 to 6 cups
- Coin Broth Tablets: 2 tablets (A convenient Korean kitchen cheat-key made of dried anchovies, kelp, and veggies that dissolve instantly to create a deep, rich broth.)
- Minced Garlic: 1 tablespoon
- Green Onions: 2 stalks, diagonally sliced (about 1/2 cup)
- Anchovy Fish Sauce: 1.5 to 2 tablespoons (The golden secret to that authentic, savory Korean umami flavor! Start with 1.5 tbsp and add more to taste.)
- Toasted Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon (optional, for a subtle touch of warmth at the end)
- Prep the Broth: Bring water to a boil and drop in your coin broth tablet. Watch it dissolve into a perfectly seasoned seafood base in minutes!
2. Simmer the Radish: Toss in the sliced radish first. Since radish takes longer to soften, letting it simmer early allows its clean, sweet flavor to infuse thoroughly into the broth.
3. Add the Squid: Once the radish pieces start to look slightly translucent, add the fresh squid. Be careful not to overcook it so the squid stays perfectly tender and juicy!
4. The Final Seasoning: Add your minced garlic and green onions, then finish it off with a spoonful of anchovy fish sauce to adjust the saltiness and depth. Give it one final, glorious boil, and your soup is ready to serve!
And there you have it—a beautifully comforting, subtly spicy bowl of Oujingeo Mu-guk is complete!
The natural sweetness that coaxes out of the simmered radish combined with the deep, savory umami of the squid creates a broth that is incredibly rich yet surprisingly gentle on the stomach. It’s the absolute perfect centerpiece for a clean, comforting meal.
(And If you happened to indulge in a few drinks the night before, this soup doubles as the ultimate Korean “hangover cure” to soothe your system ^^.)
Healing Through the Simplicity of K-Home Cooking
While dining out at fancy, trendy restaurants over the weekend is always a treat, why not heal your body and soul this coming weekend with a warm, comforting K-home-cooked meal (Jipbap)?
You don’t need any grand, extravagant ingredients. Just a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some fresh squid, a Korean radish, a can of Spam, and a few eggs—and you’re already 50% of the way there! ^^
Thank you for joining me in my kitchen today. I’ll be back soon with another delicious, comforting story! Until then, stay warm and eat well!
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