Eat like a KPop Demon Hunter: recipes from the Netflix hit

In KPop Demon Hunters, visual details related to food have been reproduced with great care. From the shine of sesame oil on kimbap rolls to the bright green of fresh spring onions in hot soups, the food is reproduced with surprising realism. 

The various Korean specialities in the film were deliberately chosen by directors and screenwriters Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, who preferred to highlight lesser-known foods to international audiences rather than the famous kimchi. The spicy Korean fermented cabbage, now globally famous, is considered by Kang to be a culinary cliché that does not reflect the gastronomic richness of the Land of the Morning Calm. 

Discover the Korean specialities that Huntr/x eat in the Korean animated film that is all the rage on Netflix, perfect for your K-food evenings and for... fighting demons!

Ramyeon

In one of the film’s first scenes, aboard a plane, the Huntr/x prepare for a concert with a delicious ritual: a bowl of ramyeon. These instant noodles are the ultimate Korean comfort food, a quick and spicy version of Japanese ramen. In fact, the term ‘ramyeon’ is simply the Korean pronunciation of the Japanese word ‘ramen.’ Compared to the famous Japanese ramen, ramyeon stands out for its stronger flavours and super-fast preparation. Sold in sachets or cups, this dish is ready in just three minutes. Perhaps this is why it is so loved by students... and the stars of K-pop movies.

What are its characteristics? Dry, wavy noodles, dehydrated vegetables and a packet of freeze-dried broth. Just add boiling water for a quick and tasty meal. There are many variations, which can be enjoyed with the addition of extra ingredients such as an egg or fresh spring onion. The most famous is Shin Ramyun, with a spicy beef-based broth. But there are also versions with kimchi, chicken, etc. Intrigued? Watch the video below and prepare it like a true Korean.

Kimbap is one of the most recognisable Korean specialities in the film. This street food is similar to Japanese makizushi, but that's where the similarities end. It is a rice roll wrapped in dried seaweed and stuffed with various ingredients. Here, the rice is seasoned with sesame oil, not rice vinegar, and there is no raw fish: inside there is a protein (omelette, meat, tuna, surimi) and crispy fermented or fresh vegetables (carrots, cucumbers or daikon). Once rolled, kimbap is cut into slices and served with danmuji (pickled radish) or kimchi.

In one scene in the film, Rumi, one of the heroines, swallows a whole kimbap roll in one bite, instead of cutting it and eating it in slices, as you would with a hot dog... or rather, a Korean corn dog. Fresh and crunchy, kimbap is also easy to make at home and lends itself to different variations. There's only one rule: the fuller, the better. Follow this video recipe and make some kimbap for your next K-pop movie night.

Seolleongtang is a traditional Korean soup made with beef bones. This comfort food appears in the film when one of the Huntr/x struggles to hit a note during rehearsals. The steaming bowl of soup thus becomes a moment of consolation and sharing for the protagonists.

 A traditional family dish, seolleongtang is slowly cooked for hours to become a thick, rich soup, served with rice or noodles, chilli and fresh spring onions. There is also an instant version, but like all slow-cooked soups, it is best when homemade. Want to try making it? Follow this video recipe.

Originally from North Korea, naengmyeon is a cold soup made with thin noodles served in a meat broth, with boiled egg and sliced cucumber. Popular throughout the country, it is a perfect dish for summer, often eaten at the end of a hearty Korean barbecue.

There are several variations, with buckwheat, wheat or sweet potato noodles, with beef, chicken or dongchimi broth, with the addition of other ingredients (seaweed, marinated raw fish, sesame seeds, etc.). There is also a version without broth, seasoned with a spicy sauce, called bibim-naengmyeon. For the lazy, there are instant naengmyeon, where the noodles come with freeze-dried broth and a sachet of mustard oil. If you want to know more, this video will reveal all the secrets of this traditional Korean dish.

In the scene in the film where the Huntr/x are gathered around a table laden with Korean delicacies, you can also see hotteok. These are soft pancakes with a sweet filling of cinnamon, walnuts and chopped peanuts. This street food speciality, typical of Seoul, is also available in a savoury version, filled with cheese.

If you can’t get to the South Korean capital, there’s good news: hotteok are easy to make at home. All you need is a few ingredients and a little patience to make these delicious pancakes, perfect for a Korean-style snack or brunch. Check out the recipe below.