Cook like your favourite K-Drama stars this Dubai mid-term break — easy Korean recipes to try at home

1) Corn dogs

• 4–6 hot dogs or sausages

• 4–6 sticks of mozzarella cheese (optional, or mix half cheese, half sausage)

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup cornmeal

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup milk

• Bread crumbs or panko for extra crunch

• Oil for frying

• Ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise for serving

1. Prep the skewers: Insert wooden sticks into each sausage or cheese stick. If you want the classic combo, alternate half sausage, half cheese.

2. Make the batter: In a bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add egg and milk gradually, whisking until smooth. Batter should be thick enough to coat the sausage.

3. Coat and crumb: Dip each sausage, cheese stick into the batter. Roll in bread crumbs for extra crunch.

4. Fry to perfection: Heat oil in a deep pan (around 170°C). Fry each stick 3–5 minutes until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.

5. Serve with flair: Sprinkle a little sugar on top, drizzle ketchup and mustard (or mayo), and dig in while pretending you’re strolling Seoul’s streets!

2) Spicy mini sausage stir-fry (Sausage yachae bokkeum)

• 8–10 mini sausages (Vienna-style or cocktail sausages)

• 1 small onion, sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced

• 1 small carrot, julienned

• 1 tsp sesame seeds, for garnish

• 1 tsp vegetable oil

• 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste, mild version available in UAE)

• 1 tbsp ketchup

• 1 tbsp honey or date syrup

• 1/2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp water (to thin sauce if needed)

1. Prep the sausages: Cut small slits along the sausages to help them absorb the sauce and cook evenly.

2. Heat the pan: Add oil to a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the sausages first and lightly brown them.

3. Add veggies: Add onion, bell peppers, and carrot. Stir-fry for 3–5 minutes until veggies are slightly tender but still crisp.

4. Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, combine gochujang, ketchup, honey, soy sauce, black pepper, and water. Stir well.

5. Toss everything together: Pour the sauce over the sausages and veggies. Stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes until everything is evenly coated and heated through.

6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Serve with steamed rice, noodles, or pack it in lunchboxes for a K-drama-inspired treat!

3) Kimchi

• Grab ready-to-eat kimchi from Korean or international grocery stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah. Perfect for busy K-drama binge nights.

• 1 small napa cabbage (or green cabbage)

• 1–2 tsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)

• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tsp ginger, minced

• 1–2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp sugar or date syrup

• Optional: chopped scallions or carrots

1. Prep the cabbage: Chop cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle with salt, massage gently, and leave for 30 minutes to soften.

2. Rinse and drain: Rinse the cabbage to remove excess salt and drain well.

3. Make the paste: Mix chili flakes, garlic, ginger, and sugar, date syrup into a paste. Adjust spice level to taste.

4. Combine: Toss the cabbage (and optional veggies) with the paste until fully coated.

5. Ferment: Pack into a clean jar, leave at room temperature for 1–2 days, then refrigerate. Taste and use to level up noodles, fried rice, or pancakes!

4) Shin Ramyun with egg and scallions

5) Tteokbokki

1. Soak glutinous rice (optional) 8–10 hours; steam if desired.

2. Slice bell peppers, cabbage, and spring onions.

3. Heat 1½ tbsp vegetable oil in a pan; sauté spring onions until soft.

4. Add cabbage with salt and pepper; cook until almost tender. Add bell peppers and cook 1 minute; set aside.

5. Boil 350ml water with a vegetable or beef stock cube (optional dried anchovies).

6. Mix gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and gochugaru; add to pan.

7. Add tteokbokki; cook 3–4 minutes, adjusting water for thick, creamy sauce.

8. Optional: cook ramyeon separately and add.

9. Stir in fried vegetables, top with mozzarella, and melt 30 seconds.

10. Garnish with spring onions; mix in steamed rice for a hearty, spicy-sweet meal.

6) The egg-drop sandwich