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Korean Basics with Umma

Learn the basics of Korean cooking from Sarah Ahn and Nam Soon Ahn and their acclaimed cookbook, Umma.

Korean Basics with Umma

About this Class

In this class you will learn the basics of Korean cooking from best-selling cookbook authors Sarah Ahn and Nam Soon Ahn. You’ll start by learning how to build your Korean pantry, from identifying and sourcing ingredients to understanding how to use them in all sorts of Korean dishes. We'll walk you through the different dishes that comprise a Korean meal: You’ll learn about banchan, kimchi, jang, and bap, to name a few, as well as how to pair and serve them. We’ll talk about different types of kimchi and the process of fermentation. Finally, you'll have an opportunity to put your knowledge into practice as you cook a Korean meal of your own.

Meet Your Instructors

Author: Sarah Ahn

Sarah Ahn

Social Media Manager

Sarah Ahn is the social media manager at America’s Test Kitchen and the creator of the website Ahnest Kitchen. On Instagram and TikTok (@ahnestkitchen) she brings her digital storytelling prowess to recording her experiences living at home with her Korean immigrant parents, chronicling her mother’s cooking, grocery shopping trips, and other everyday moments accompanied by Sarah’s personal reflections that are by turns touching, funny, and deeply moving. She has been featured on NBC News, ABC News, Yahoo News, and Good Morning America.

Author: Nam Soon Ahn

Nam Soon Ahn

Cookbook Author

Nam Soon Ahn immigrated to America in the 1990s with the hope of providing a better life for herself and her family. After finding her footing through various challenges and successes, she purchased a restaurant specializing in Asian noodle dishes in 2008 and successfully operated it for nearly a decade. Her philosophy on cooking and eating foods is to make them as delicious as possible, asserting that there are no inherently “bad” ingredients or foods—they are all meant to be enjoyed. So cook without fear, and enjoy food with excitement, love, and the same feelings of returning to your childhood favorite restaurant.

Lessons

Class Progress

1Elements of a Korean Meal

Tips for Getting Started

Tips for Getting Started

Elements of a Korean Meal

Elements of a Korean Meal

Building a Korean Pantry

Building a Korean Pantry

Sourcing Korean Ingredients

Sourcing Korean Ingredients

2Banchan & Kimchi

Mat Kimchi (Cut Napa Cabbage Kimchi)

Recipe1 hr 15 min

Mat Kimchi (Cut Napa Cabbage Kimchi)

SCIENCE: Fermentation and its Role in Kimchi

SCIENCE: Fermentation and its Role in Kimchi

The Life Cycle of Kimchi

The Life Cycle of Kimchi

All About Banchan

All About Banchan

Broccoli Dubu Muchim (Broccoli Tofu)

Broccoli Dubu Muchim (Broccoli Tofu)

3Jang & Protein

Essential Sauces for Dipping and Drizzling

Technique2 min video

Essential Sauces for Dipping and Drizzling

The Keys to Umma's Pork Bulgogi

The Keys to Umma's Pork Bulgogi

Maeun Dwaejibulgogi (Spicy Pork Bulgogi)

Maeun Dwaejibulgogi (Spicy Pork Bulgogi)

Ask ATK

Have a Question?

We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a message anytime and we’ll get back to you. We’re here to help!

Class FAQs

Finding some of the ingredients for these recipes has been challenging since I don't have an Asian market in my area. What do you suggest?

I see MSG is used in a lot of Korean recipes. Isn’t that bad to use in our foods?

Author: Sarah

Answered by Sarah

Instructor, ATK Classes

While none of our recipes call for pure MSG, we do use ingredients that contain MSG, which is a flavor enhancer that is often misunderstood. MSG is simply a compound made from glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid found in umami-rich foods such as mushrooms and seaweed. The misconceptions of MSG that claim it causes headaches, dizziness and other symptoms have been debunked numerous times through scientific studies, and the FDA has long considered it safe. You should feel comfortable using MSG in your foods.

What kinds of rice are typically used in Korean cooking?