5 Quick Korean Appetisers For Last-Minute Guests; Drink Suggestions Inside
Korean appetisers are complete with tasty spicy, smoky, tangy and umami flavours which are well-suited to be pre-dinner dishes. As well, they also carry a textural crunch and crispy notes which make them interesting bites when paired with cocktails.
On those days when guests come knocking at the last minute, these Korean bites can be easily put together with whatever veggies and meats are readily available in the kitchen. This mix of assorted vegetables and smoked and marinated meats that go into Korean appetisers not only make them delicious snack options but also foods which can be cooked simply, easily, quickly and with little fuss.
Here are some of the quick and easy to make Korean appetisers that can be prepared when guests come calling at the last minute, with some recommended cocktail suggestions:
Korean Lettuce Wraps
Recommended Pairing: Gin And Tonic
One of the easiest small bites to prepare when guests decide to show up last minute is ssam bites or Korean lettuce wraps. When crispy lettuce is available in the refrigerator, it can be used as a coating over spicy tofu or meats and sticky rice. The leaves can be lathered in spicy Korean barbeque sauce for more flavour. This appetiser can be paired with a classic gin and tonic made using 30 ml Tanqueray No. 10 Gin or any other premium gin of choice that is topped off with 90 ml sparkling tonic water.
Spicy Cucumber Salad
Recommended Pairing: Cucumber Vodka Spritz
Oi munchim or spicy cucumber salad is another intelligent small bite that can be prepared speedily when friends show up at home unexpectedly. This dish is complete with the savoury crunch of grated cucumbers and the spice that comes from gochujang paste or even Korean red chilli flakes. This tasty dish can be paired with the cucumber vodka spritz that imitates the salad’s juicy crunch and adds a fizzy texture to the meal. Prepare the spritz using 30 ml Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice that is topped off with 10 ml cucumber juice and 60 ml club soda or sparkling water.
Gyeran Mari
Recommended Pairing: Martini Cocktail
Another Korean culinary technique that has gained popularity over time for its artistic quality is making the gyeran mari or the rolled omelette made in a square pan. Easy to prepare and quick to cook, this can be garnished with chives and sesame oil dressing and cut up into small bites that can be served with a classic gin martini cocktail. Prepare the drink using 30 ml Tanqueray No. 10 Gin or any other premium gin of choice and 15 ml dry vermouth along with olive brine for a mix of savoury cocktail flavours and creamy and spicy tasting notes coming from the omelette.
Mini Gimbap
Recommended Pairing: Whisky Highball
When Korean seaweed is available on hand, another easy starter to prepare for last-minute hang out sessions could be mini gimbap. Dice whatever veggies are available in the fridge, from carrots to shallots to bell peppers and roll them into the seaweed along with sticky rice, a drizzle of sesame oil and pickled cucumbers. Pair the mini gimbap with a simple whisky highball made using 30 ml Johnnie Walker Black Label or any other premium whisky of choice, whose smoky flavours will undercut some of the umami and savoury notes in the snack.
Buldak Skewers
Recommended Pairing: Paloma
Another tasty Korean small bite that can be prepared for spontaneous gatherings is spicy and tangy buldak skewers. Chicken marinated in red chilli peppers can be grilled on an open stove to lend it that charred and smoky quality characteristic of the buldak. This dish can be paired with an identically smoky paloma crafted out of 30 ml Don Julio Blanco Tequila or any other premium tequila of choice. The spicy notes of the buldak skewers will be undercut with the addition of 45 ml grapefruit soda that tops off the cocktail.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
