Compared to the food of China and Japan, Korean cuisine is relatively unknown. Shaped by harsh weather but fertile soils, Korean food is hearty and unpretentious, and is best described as comfort food in its truest sense. Mention Korean food and most people will think of kimchi or the marinated barbecued beef (bulgogi or kalbi). The recipes in this book attempt to introduce some of the lesser-known Korean dishes, as well as some of the more familiar standards.