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CHEWY BUTTER MOCHI! easy and just a few ingredients!! this dessert has taken Korean social media by storm and is super viral for a reason! Crispy outside, chewy inside (like tteok or mochi) and custardy sweet. ⏰ Takes less than 1 hour from start to finish! 🧈 INGREDIENTS (feeds 2-4) - 160g glutinous rice flour - 60g white sugar - 200ml whole milk (room temp) - 30g unsalted butter (~2.12 tbsp, room temp) - 1 egg (room temp) - 1 tsp vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp salt 🤗 SOME KEY TIPS: - condensed milk makes for an incredible dipping sauce! - Remember to bring your butter, milk and egg to room temp before cooking! - Always pre-heat the oven! - Baking is more precise than cooking. If you don’t have one already, it’s time to get a kitchen scale. #buttertteok #buttermochi #easyrecipes #dessert #baking
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6mo ago
itshelenmelon
CHEWY BUTTER MOCHI! easy and just a few ingredients!! this dessert has taken Korean social media by storm and is super viral for a reason! Crispy outside, chewy inside (like tteok or mochi) and custardy sweet. ⏰ Takes less than 1 hour from start to finish! 🧈 INGREDIENTS (feeds 2-4) - 160g glutinous rice flour - 60g white sugar - 200ml whole milk (room temp) - 30g unsalted butter (~2.12 tbsp, room temp) - 1 egg (room temp) - 1 tsp vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp salt 🤗 SOME KEY TIPS: - condensed milk makes for an incredible dipping sauce! - Remember to bring your butter, milk and egg to room temp before cooking! - Always pre-heat the oven! - Baking is more precise than cooking. If you don’t have one already, it’s time to get a kitchen scale. #buttertteok #buttermochi #easyrecipes #dessert #baking
tested SO many different methods, temps and times to achieve the PERFECT at-home korean sweet potato!! If you know you know, goguma is soooo sweet and delicious while also being healthy, high in fiber and quite filling! it’s common to see roasted sweet potatoes sold in asian convenience stores, especially in Korea and Japan, but it’s actually quite hard to replicate the caramelization at home without the proper techniques!! Tip 1: Smaller and thinner sweet potatoes are sweeter and yield better, more consistent results! Peak season is NOW (December thru February). Tip 2: use the top rack of your oven! IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE I PROMISE! Tip 3: dunk in an ice bath half way. this will make them super easy to peel! All it takes is 1 hour for incredibly soft, sweet, and caramelized korean sweet potatoes! #goguma #sweetpotato #cookinghacks #dietfood #easyrecipes
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10mo ago
itshelenmelon
tested SO many different methods, temps and times to achieve the PERFECT at-home korean sweet potato!! If you know you know, goguma is soooo sweet and delicious while also being healthy, high in fiber and quite filling! it’s common to see roasted sweet potatoes sold in asian convenience stores, especially in Korea and Japan, but it’s actually quite hard to replicate the caramelization at home without the proper techniques!! Tip 1: Smaller and thinner sweet potatoes are sweeter and yield better, more consistent results! Peak season is NOW (December thru February). Tip 2: use the top rack of your oven! IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE I PROMISE! Tip 3: dunk in an ice bath half way. this will make them super easy to peel! All it takes is 1 hour for incredibly soft, sweet, and caramelized korean sweet potatoes! #goguma #sweetpotato #cookinghacks #dietfood #easyrecipes
must do in vietnam for a custom souvenir!! made the CUTEST stamps of my family’s pets and loved ones ❤️ they’re ready same day OR next day, depending on how many you get. You pay about $10 (250,000 VND) per person/pet! PRO TIP: you can make a couples stamp for wedding invites! It’d be $20 for two faces. Wish I knew about this when I was engaged! Highly recommend showing the owner multiple photos and having him tell you which is best, since he’s the one carving it for you! I went to Phuc Loi Stamp in the Old Quarter in Hanoi. I’m sure other cities like HCMC have this, too!! Make sure to give the other local businesses some love tho!!! There’s a few stamp shops here all in a row ❤️ #vietnam #vietnamtravel #hanoi #customstamp #traveltips
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7mo ago
itshelenmelon
must do in vietnam for a custom souvenir!! made the CUTEST stamps of my family’s pets and loved ones ❤️ they’re ready same day OR next day, depending on how many you get. You pay about $10 (250,000 VND) per person/pet! PRO TIP: you can make a couples stamp for wedding invites! It’d be $20 for two faces. Wish I knew about this when I was engaged! Highly recommend showing the owner multiple photos and having him tell you which is best, since he’s the one carving it for you! I went to Phuc Loi Stamp in the Old Quarter in Hanoi. I’m sure other cities like HCMC have this, too!! Make sure to give the other local businesses some love tho!!! There’s a few stamp shops here all in a row ❤️ #vietnam #vietnamtravel #hanoi #customstamp #traveltips
how to make lord of the rings lembas bread! In the movies one small bite is enough to keep a grown man full, but not this one 🤭 This is an easy 30-minute recipe perfect for your next lord of the rings movie marathon!! The bread comes out very similarly to a biscuit and scone 😋 Ingredients — 300g all purpose flour (2.5 cups) — 1 stick unsalted butter (cold, cubed) — 1 tbsp baking powder — 1 tsp salt — 60g brown sugar (1/3 cup) — 1 tsp cinnamon — 2/3 cup whole milk OR 1/2 cup heavy cream — 1/2 tsp vanilla extract — 1 tsp honey (OPTIONAL) 💡TIP: if you don’t have a rolling pin for baking, use a water bottle! 💡TIP: if you are kneading by hand, cube your butter into small squares for an easier time mixing 💡TIP: leftovers will keep for up to 5 days! #lordoftherings #lembasbread #easyrecipes #dessert #baking
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4mo ago
itshelenmelon
how to make lord of the rings lembas bread! In the movies one small bite is enough to keep a grown man full, but not this one 🤭 This is an easy 30-minute recipe perfect for your next lord of the rings movie marathon!! The bread comes out very similarly to a biscuit and scone 😋 Ingredients — 300g all purpose flour (2.5 cups) — 1 stick unsalted butter (cold, cubed) — 1 tbsp baking powder — 1 tsp salt — 60g brown sugar (1/3 cup) — 1 tsp cinnamon — 2/3 cup whole milk OR 1/2 cup heavy cream — 1/2 tsp vanilla extract — 1 tsp honey (OPTIONAL) 💡TIP: if you don’t have a rolling pin for baking, use a water bottle! 💡TIP: if you are kneading by hand, cube your butter into small squares for an easier time mixing 💡TIP: leftovers will keep for up to 5 days! #lordoftherings #lembasbread #easyrecipes #dessert #baking
Japan hack for roasted sweet potatoes!! The ones from don quijote are ELITE!! i know donki’s known mostly for souvenirs, makeup and skincare but they actually also sell roasted sweet potatoes and the juiciest strawberries too! i tried the sweet potatoes on a whim on my first trip because they smelled so good, and now I ALWAYS get one when im in Japan! They ALWAYS hit the spot!! The caramelization goes crazy lol. TIP: Don Quijote can definitely be SUPER overstimulating and busy. But if you just go to the ones outside of the most touristy areas (like Shibuya or Shinjuku), it’s calm and easy! I went to the Roppongi location and it was super nice. #donquijote #japantravel #japantrip #goguma #sweetpotato
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itshelenmelon
Japan hack for roasted sweet potatoes!! The ones from don quijote are ELITE!! i know donki’s known mostly for souvenirs, makeup and skincare but they actually also sell roasted sweet potatoes and the juiciest strawberries too! i tried the sweet potatoes on a whim on my first trip because they smelled so good, and now I ALWAYS get one when im in Japan! They ALWAYS hit the spot!! The caramelization goes crazy lol. TIP: Don Quijote can definitely be SUPER overstimulating and busy. But if you just go to the ones outside of the most touristy areas (like Shibuya or Shinjuku), it’s calm and easy! I went to the Roppongi location and it was super nice. #donquijote #japantravel #japantrip #goguma #sweetpotato
KBBQ corn cheese…but AT HOME! It’s super quick and easy to make yourself and only takes a few staple ingredients! This takes me less than 10 minutes every time and is wayyy better than when you get it at a korean restaurant or pocha! You’ll need: - 1 can of corn - 2 tbsp kewpie mayo - 1/2-1 tbsp unsalted butter - Garlic powder to taste (I used 1/2 tsp) - Onion powder to taste (I used 1/8 tsp) - Black pepper - Shredded mozzarella cheese - Green onions (OPTIONAL) If you want to take this easy recipe a step further, you can use your broiler and a skillet, but this recipe is for those who just want to use the stove! #koreanfood #corncheese #easyrecipes #corn #kbbq
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itshelenmelon
KBBQ corn cheese…but AT HOME! It’s super quick and easy to make yourself and only takes a few staple ingredients! This takes me less than 10 minutes every time and is wayyy better than when you get it at a korean restaurant or pocha! You’ll need: - 1 can of corn - 2 tbsp kewpie mayo - 1/2-1 tbsp unsalted butter - Garlic powder to taste (I used 1/2 tsp) - Onion powder to taste (I used 1/8 tsp) - Black pepper - Shredded mozzarella cheese - Green onions (OPTIONAL) If you want to take this easy recipe a step further, you can use your broiler and a skillet, but this recipe is for those who just want to use the stove! #koreanfood #corncheese #easyrecipes #corn #kbbq
eat your skincare with korean seaweed soup (miyeokguk)! This was my FAVORITE as a kid!! Not only is miyeokguk delicious, but it’s also PACKED with nutrients and benefits for your skin and hair health. Korean seaweed is an underrated superfood! That’s why it’s one of the most meaningful meals you can make for someone you love…especially on their birthday and for postpartum moms. The soup is incredibly nourishing and comforting, light and healthy. All you really need is 30 minutes, some Korean seaweed and beef. The rest are Asian kitchen essentials! INGREDIENTS (feeds 2): — 15g dried Korean seaweed — approx. 0.5 lb beef (any soup beef works!) — 1 tbsp sesame oil — 0.5 tbsp minced garlic — 3-3.5 cups water — 1.5-2 tbsp soup soy sauce (1 tbsp to saute + 0.5-1 tbsp to season broth) — 0.5 tsp pepper — 1/8 tsp seafood dasida OR anchovy fish sauce (멸치액젓) OR tuna sauce (참치액) TIP: you can enhance your soup with an anchovy broth tablet (and skip the last ingredient above!) TIP: leftovers in fridge last up to 3 days. Leftovers in freezer last 3-4 months! #miyeokguk #koreanfood #soup #easyrecipe #postpartum
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itshelenmelon
eat your skincare with korean seaweed soup (miyeokguk)! This was my FAVORITE as a kid!! Not only is miyeokguk delicious, but it’s also PACKED with nutrients and benefits for your skin and hair health. Korean seaweed is an underrated superfood! That’s why it’s one of the most meaningful meals you can make for someone you love…especially on their birthday and for postpartum moms. The soup is incredibly nourishing and comforting, light and healthy. All you really need is 30 minutes, some Korean seaweed and beef. The rest are Asian kitchen essentials! INGREDIENTS (feeds 2): — 15g dried Korean seaweed — approx. 0.5 lb beef (any soup beef works!) — 1 tbsp sesame oil — 0.5 tbsp minced garlic — 3-3.5 cups water — 1.5-2 tbsp soup soy sauce (1 tbsp to saute + 0.5-1 tbsp to season broth) — 0.5 tsp pepper — 1/8 tsp seafood dasida OR anchovy fish sauce (멸치액젓) OR tuna sauce (참치액) TIP: you can enhance your soup with an anchovy broth tablet (and skip the last ingredient above!) TIP: leftovers in fridge last up to 3 days. Leftovers in freezer last 3-4 months! #miyeokguk #koreanfood #soup #easyrecipe #postpartum
easy! healthy! delicious! korean beef radish soup (소고기 무국). It makes for the perfect cozy Korean meal and is so simple yet satisfying! I think of it as a galbitang dupe 🤭 Normally I am NOT a fan of radish but this soup is the EXCEPTION! not to mention, radish is very healthy and restorative: low calorie, high fiber, and incredibly nutrient dense! 💡TIPS TO PICK A KOREAN RADISH: choose a medium size radish that feels a bit heavier than it looks. should have both green and white with no visible bruises or cracks. If you can’t find it, daikon radish works, too. But try to find Korean radish if you can! it may also be called “mu” at the Asian grocery. INGREDIENTS (feeds 2): — 1/2 lb beef (beef brisket or stew beef like chuck eye roll, should have some fat) — 1/2 lb Korean radish — 5 cups water — 1 tbsp minced garlic — 1 tbsp soup soy sauce (fish sauce OK) — 1/4 to 1/2 tbsp sesame oil — 1 tsp kosher salt — 1/2 tsp black pepper — 1/4 tsp beef dasida (OPTIONAL but encouraged) — 1-1.5 tbsp chopped green onions #soup #koreansoup #koreanfood #easyrecipe #galbitang
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itshelenmelon
easy! healthy! delicious! korean beef radish soup (소고기 무국). It makes for the perfect cozy Korean meal and is so simple yet satisfying! I think of it as a galbitang dupe 🤭 Normally I am NOT a fan of radish but this soup is the EXCEPTION! not to mention, radish is very healthy and restorative: low calorie, high fiber, and incredibly nutrient dense! 💡TIPS TO PICK A KOREAN RADISH: choose a medium size radish that feels a bit heavier than it looks. should have both green and white with no visible bruises or cracks. If you can’t find it, daikon radish works, too. But try to find Korean radish if you can! it may also be called “mu” at the Asian grocery. INGREDIENTS (feeds 2): — 1/2 lb beef (beef brisket or stew beef like chuck eye roll, should have some fat) — 1/2 lb Korean radish — 5 cups water — 1 tbsp minced garlic — 1 tbsp soup soy sauce (fish sauce OK) — 1/4 to 1/2 tbsp sesame oil — 1 tsp kosher salt — 1/2 tsp black pepper — 1/4 tsp beef dasida (OPTIONAL but encouraged) — 1-1.5 tbsp chopped green onions #soup #koreansoup #koreanfood #easyrecipe #galbitang
20-course omakase i HIGHLY recommend and just $63!! Ginza Sushi Banya Kai is in Tokyo and hits all the points I look for: high quality fish, great presentation and ambiance, plus authentic, affordable, and approachable to tourists/foreigners (they provide printed English menus)! I’d 100% come back again while in Japan ❤️ #sushi #omakase #tokyo #japantrip #japantravel
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itshelenmelon
20-course omakase i HIGHLY recommend and just $63!! Ginza Sushi Banya Kai is in Tokyo and hits all the points I look for: high quality fish, great presentation and ambiance, plus authentic, affordable, and approachable to tourists/foreigners (they provide printed English menus)! I’d 100% come back again while in Japan ❤️ #sushi #omakase #tokyo #japantrip #japantravel
gamja jorim (korean potato bites) is SOOO YUMMY. They’re the perfect banchan or side dish you’ve likely seen at korean barbecue! This is my easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes and is perfectly fool-proof for beginners in the kitchen :) As with many other korean side dishes, you can serve this hot or cold. Just eat within 3 days! INGREDIENTS & MEASUREMENTS: — 1 pound potatoes (yellow or Yukon gold) — 1/2 cup water — 2 tbsp light soy sauce — 1 tbsp sesame oil — 2 tbsp honey (or Korean corn syrup) — 1 to 2 tbsp minced garlic — OPTIONAL: 1/2 tsp gochugaru #potatoes #gamjajorim #easyrecipes #koreansidedish #koreancooking
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itshelenmelon
gamja jorim (korean potato bites) is SOOO YUMMY. They’re the perfect banchan or side dish you’ve likely seen at korean barbecue! This is my easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes and is perfectly fool-proof for beginners in the kitchen :) As with many other korean side dishes, you can serve this hot or cold. Just eat within 3 days! INGREDIENTS & MEASUREMENTS: — 1 pound potatoes (yellow or Yukon gold) — 1/2 cup water — 2 tbsp light soy sauce — 1 tbsp sesame oil — 2 tbsp honey (or Korean corn syrup) — 1 to 2 tbsp minced garlic — OPTIONAL: 1/2 tsp gochugaru #potatoes #gamjajorim #easyrecipes #koreansidedish #koreancooking
make instant kimchi with me!! Geotjeori is a non-fermented fresh kimchi that’s delicious and perfect for when you want kimchi and you want it NOW! It’s also incredibly beginner friendly and ready in about an hour versus days! If you don’t like the funkiness of kimchi, you might like this kind. I adjusted this side dish recipe to maximize the authentic flavor of geotjeori while minimizing the need to buy a bunch of new ingredients! That said, if you have ingredients like saewoojeot (salted fermented shrimp) and plum extract in your fridge, you can (and should) add those into your kimchi paste mixture! Ingredients & measurements: — 1 medium size napa cabbage — 1/4 cup coarse salt (kosher salt works!) — 5 tbsp gochugaru (flaky kind is best) — 1 tbsp minced garlic — 2 tbsp fish sauce — 1 tbsp sugar (or plum extract) — korean chives to taste (or green onions) — splash of sesame oil — roasted sesame seeds to garnish (OPTIONAL) #kimchi #geotjeori #easyrecipes #banchan #koreanfood
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itshelenmelon
make instant kimchi with me!! Geotjeori is a non-fermented fresh kimchi that’s delicious and perfect for when you want kimchi and you want it NOW! It’s also incredibly beginner friendly and ready in about an hour versus days! If you don’t like the funkiness of kimchi, you might like this kind. I adjusted this side dish recipe to maximize the authentic flavor of geotjeori while minimizing the need to buy a bunch of new ingredients! That said, if you have ingredients like saewoojeot (salted fermented shrimp) and plum extract in your fridge, you can (and should) add those into your kimchi paste mixture! Ingredients & measurements: — 1 medium size napa cabbage — 1/4 cup coarse salt (kosher salt works!) — 5 tbsp gochugaru (flaky kind is best) — 1 tbsp minced garlic — 2 tbsp fish sauce — 1 tbsp sugar (or plum extract) — korean chives to taste (or green onions) — splash of sesame oil — roasted sesame seeds to garnish (OPTIONAL) #kimchi #geotjeori #easyrecipes #banchan #koreanfood
Teaching friends how to make Syrian Yabrak! Helen and Erica spent 7 hours with me learning this dish for the first time — moments like this make me so grateful I get to share Syrian culture with the people I love Full recipe below Prep • Soak rice 1 hour • Soak grape leaves in hot water Rolling • Drain rice (keep 1 cup water) • Mix rice with ground beef, salt, pepper, oil • Place 1 tbsp filling on each leaf • Fold sides + roll tightly Lamb Prep • Boil lamb with cardamom until foam forms • Rinse + place at bottom of pot Assembly • Add garlic cloves • Stack rolls around the pot • Cover with a plate • Add salt, pepper, and water (1 inch above) • Weight on top • Boil 45 min → add lemon → cook 1 hr on medium-low • Check water every 10 min Grape leaves may need extra time to soften. Keep adding lemon and water and taste the broth as it cooks. Take one leaf out and try it to check if it’s fully cooked and tender. Finish 1. Drain broth 2. FLIP + ENJOY! Have you made this before? Love you @itshelenmelon @_realhangry
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itshelenmelon
Teaching friends how to make Syrian Yabrak! Helen and Erica spent 7 hours with me learning this dish for the first time — moments like this make me so grateful I get to share Syrian culture with the people I love Full recipe below Prep • Soak rice 1 hour • Soak grape leaves in hot water Rolling • Drain rice (keep 1 cup water) • Mix rice with ground beef, salt, pepper, oil • Place 1 tbsp filling on each leaf • Fold sides + roll tightly Lamb Prep • Boil lamb with cardamom until foam forms • Rinse + place at bottom of pot Assembly • Add garlic cloves • Stack rolls around the pot • Cover with a plate • Add salt, pepper, and water (1 inch above) • Weight on top • Boil 45 min → add lemon → cook 1 hr on medium-low • Check water every 10 min Grape leaves may need extra time to soften. Keep adding lemon and water and taste the broth as it cooks. Take one leaf out and try it to check if it’s fully cooked and tender. Finish 1. Drain broth 2. FLIP + ENJOY! Have you made this before? Love you @itshelenmelon @_realhangry
my easy bibimguksu for spicy Korean noodles! Takes 10 minutes!! this Korean cold noodle dish is seriously so good and you can dress it up or down, depending on how much effort you’re feeling! I LOVE making this as a quick, lazy meal aka girl dinner. It uses kitchen staple ingredients ❤️ INGREDIENTS & MEASUREMENTS (serves 1) - 1 HEAPING tbsp gochujang - 1 tbsp soy sauce - 1 tbsp sesame oil - 1 tsp vinegar (or 1/2 tbsp for more tangy) - 1/2 tbsp minced garlic - 1 tsp sugar - 1/8 tsp pepper (or to taste) - 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp gochugaru (OPTIONAL) Taste and adjust to your liking! Top with thinly sliced cucumber, a soft boiled egg and more roasted sesame seeds ❤️ #easyrecipes #koreancooking #bibimguksu #koreancoldnoodles #spicynoodles
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itshelenmelon
my easy bibimguksu for spicy Korean noodles! Takes 10 minutes!! this Korean cold noodle dish is seriously so good and you can dress it up or down, depending on how much effort you’re feeling! I LOVE making this as a quick, lazy meal aka girl dinner. It uses kitchen staple ingredients ❤️ INGREDIENTS & MEASUREMENTS (serves 1) - 1 HEAPING tbsp gochujang - 1 tbsp soy sauce - 1 tbsp sesame oil - 1 tsp vinegar (or 1/2 tbsp for more tangy) - 1/2 tbsp minced garlic - 1 tsp sugar - 1/8 tsp pepper (or to taste) - 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp gochugaru (OPTIONAL) Taste and adjust to your liking! Top with thinly sliced cucumber, a soft boiled egg and more roasted sesame seeds ❤️ #easyrecipes #koreancooking #bibimguksu #koreancoldnoodles #spicynoodles
my 5-minute lazy girl green beans!! everyone loves garlicky green beans but I bet you haven’t tried making them like this! most people stir fry, but when I’m lazy or just want to avoid any hot oil splatters, I blanch to cook and they turn out just as good with half the effort! You can also serve these cold as banchan (side dish). INGREDIENTS (serves 2-4): — 300g green beans — 2 tbsp oyster sauce — 2 tsp sesame oil — 2 tsp water — 2 tsp minced garlic — 1/2 tsp white vinegar — 1/4 tsp black pepper #greenbeans #easyrecipes #healthyrecipes #veggies #garlic
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itshelenmelon
my 5-minute lazy girl green beans!! everyone loves garlicky green beans but I bet you haven’t tried making them like this! most people stir fry, but when I’m lazy or just want to avoid any hot oil splatters, I blanch to cook and they turn out just as good with half the effort! You can also serve these cold as banchan (side dish). INGREDIENTS (serves 2-4): — 300g green beans — 2 tbsp oyster sauce — 2 tsp sesame oil — 2 tsp water — 2 tsp minced garlic — 1/2 tsp white vinegar — 1/4 tsp black pepper #greenbeans #easyrecipes #healthyrecipes #veggies #garlic
my 5-min korean bean sprouts!! This banchan (side dish) is SUPER easy, delicious, nutritious and requires only 5 ingredients! It’s low calorie, nutrient dense, and great for digestion!! And, she’s non-spicy so perfect for everyone (I’ve been getting requests for non-spicy Korean dishes)! INGREDIENTS: — 1 bag bean sprouts (350-400g) — 1/2 tsp salt — 2 tsp minced garlic — 1-2 tbsp chopped green onions — 1 tbsp sesame oil — 1 tbsp sesame seeds (or to taste) — OPTIONAL 1/2 to 1 tsp soup soy sauce (guk ganjang) OR fish sauce STEPS: — Blanch your bean sprouts for 1-2 minutes. This means boil + ice bath — Drain well and pat dry — toss together all of the ingredients and mix well! STORING TIPS: like a typical Korean side dish, this stores well in the fridge! Eat within 3-4 days. Highly recommend adding to a bibimbap for a quick and easy lunch idea :) #easyrecipes #koreanrecipe #banchan #sidedish #beansprouts
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itshelenmelon
my 5-min korean bean sprouts!! This banchan (side dish) is SUPER easy, delicious, nutritious and requires only 5 ingredients! It’s low calorie, nutrient dense, and great for digestion!! And, she’s non-spicy so perfect for everyone (I’ve been getting requests for non-spicy Korean dishes)! INGREDIENTS: — 1 bag bean sprouts (350-400g) — 1/2 tsp salt — 2 tsp minced garlic — 1-2 tbsp chopped green onions — 1 tbsp sesame oil — 1 tbsp sesame seeds (or to taste) — OPTIONAL 1/2 to 1 tsp soup soy sauce (guk ganjang) OR fish sauce STEPS: — Blanch your bean sprouts for 1-2 minutes. This means boil + ice bath — Drain well and pat dry — toss together all of the ingredients and mix well! STORING TIPS: like a typical Korean side dish, this stores well in the fridge! Eat within 3-4 days. Highly recommend adding to a bibimbap for a quick and easy lunch idea :) #easyrecipes #koreanrecipe #banchan #sidedish #beansprouts
juicy tender korean pork belly wraps!! This is my easy beginner friendly recipe for bossam that maximizes flavor and minimizes time and effort required! This dish is usually pretty pricey at Korean restaurants, so learn to make it at home for MUCH cheaper! For me, it’s become a staple meal to impress friends!! INGREDIENTS (serves 2; double recipe if serving 4): - 1.5 pound pork belly (choose one with a GOOD, EVEN amount of fat! I recommend getting from Costco or Hmart) - 6-8 garlic cloves - 1/2 white or yellow onion - 1 tbsp ginger sliced - 2-3 scallion stocks (OPTIONAL) - 1/2 tbsp brown sugar - 2 tbsp doenjang - 1/4 tsp pepper - 2-3 bay leaves (OPTIONAL) - 1/2 tbsp instant coffee - 5 cups water FOR YOUR WRAPS: - sliced jalapeno, raw garlic chips, and ssamjang are musts! - salted napa cabbage is the authentic Korean way, OR lettuce will do just fine! - radish kimchi (musaengchae), OR regular kimchi - saewoojeot (OPTIONAL) - white rice (OPTIONAL) A few extra tips…to test if your bossam is ready, use the chopstick test! Just poke the thickest part of the meat. If it goes in and out super smoothly, you’re good to go! And make sure you’re using INSTANT coffee, not fresh ground! This is the “secret ingredient” to remove any porky smell or taste. #easyrecipes #bossam #porkbelly #koreanfood #koreancooking
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itshelenmelon
juicy tender korean pork belly wraps!! This is my easy beginner friendly recipe for bossam that maximizes flavor and minimizes time and effort required! This dish is usually pretty pricey at Korean restaurants, so learn to make it at home for MUCH cheaper! For me, it’s become a staple meal to impress friends!! INGREDIENTS (serves 2; double recipe if serving 4): - 1.5 pound pork belly (choose one with a GOOD, EVEN amount of fat! I recommend getting from Costco or Hmart) - 6-8 garlic cloves - 1/2 white or yellow onion - 1 tbsp ginger sliced - 2-3 scallion stocks (OPTIONAL) - 1/2 tbsp brown sugar - 2 tbsp doenjang - 1/4 tsp pepper - 2-3 bay leaves (OPTIONAL) - 1/2 tbsp instant coffee - 5 cups water FOR YOUR WRAPS: - sliced jalapeno, raw garlic chips, and ssamjang are musts! - salted napa cabbage is the authentic Korean way, OR lettuce will do just fine! - radish kimchi (musaengchae), OR regular kimchi - saewoojeot (OPTIONAL) - white rice (OPTIONAL) A few extra tips…to test if your bossam is ready, use the chopstick test! Just poke the thickest part of the meat. If it goes in and out super smoothly, you’re good to go! And make sure you’re using INSTANT coffee, not fresh ground! This is the “secret ingredient” to remove any porky smell or taste. #easyrecipes #bossam #porkbelly #koreanfood #koreancooking
must try snack in korea!! Sticky rice fresh fruit mochi is SOOO good and slightly different than the Japanese kinds I’ve tried! This spot is located in Seongsu (a super popular area you’re likely to visit anyways!) but they have a few other locations around Seoul, too. 📍Hanjungsun (Seongsu) My top recommendation is to try the shine muscat grape and strawberry flavors!! #mochi #seongsu #koreanstreetfood #seoulkorea #koreatravel
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11mo ago
itshelenmelon
must try snack in korea!! Sticky rice fresh fruit mochi is SOOO good and slightly different than the Japanese kinds I’ve tried! This spot is located in Seongsu (a super popular area you’re likely to visit anyways!) but they have a few other locations around Seoul, too. 📍Hanjungsun (Seongsu) My top recommendation is to try the shine muscat grape and strawberry flavors!! #mochi #seongsu #koreanstreetfood #seoulkorea #koreatravel
I DREAM ABOUT THESE NOODLES!! Chongqing Special Noodles is a local gem in San Gabriel (SGV) and their prices are SO SO GOOD. My two must gets I HIGHLY recommend are the youpo noodles for hand pulled chewy noodles (vegetarian friendly!) and the chongqing cold noodles! The cold noodles are similar to a dan dan noodle and got a ton of hype a while ago (shoutout Ronit!!). I love to share this dish as an appetizer between 2-3 people, then have one of the more substantial noodle dishes as the main! The only dish I haven’t loved here is the Sichuan dumplings. They didnt have much filling/meat in them. #chinesefood #sangabriel #sgveats #losangelesfood #noodles
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7mo ago
itshelenmelon
I DREAM ABOUT THESE NOODLES!! Chongqing Special Noodles is a local gem in San Gabriel (SGV) and their prices are SO SO GOOD. My two must gets I HIGHLY recommend are the youpo noodles for hand pulled chewy noodles (vegetarian friendly!) and the chongqing cold noodles! The cold noodles are similar to a dan dan noodle and got a ton of hype a while ago (shoutout Ronit!!). I love to share this dish as an appetizer between 2-3 people, then have one of the more substantial noodle dishes as the main! The only dish I haven’t loved here is the Sichuan dumplings. They didnt have much filling/meat in them. #chinesefood #sangabriel #sgveats #losangelesfood #noodles
turn green cabbage into KIMCHI! this is a Korean recipe EVERYONE can make, even if you don’t have an Asian market near you! while traditional kimchi calls for napa cabbage, it’s not the most accessible ingredient for some people. This version is a quick and easy alternative that still offers the delicious crunch, tang and flavor of kimchi! It’s also beginner friendly and much less daunting as it calls for staple kitchen ingredients :) STORING TIP: Enjoy immediately (like geotjeori, or fresh kimchi) and eat within 3-4 days. OR let it ferment by leaving in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days before refrigerating. BRINE TIP: If your head of cabbage is larger, you may need to use more salt. Use your best judgement. When chopping up the cabbage, I discard the very first layer of cabbage, the core, and the very thick parts of the cabbage. Those don’t make it into the bowl! Also, highly recommend giving your cabbage a nice toss half way through the 30 minutes for best results. Fun fact: green cabbage kimchi is called yangbaechu kimchi, and you’ll actually find it at some Korean-Chinese restaurants as a banchan (side dish)! INGREDIENTS & MEASUREMENTS: — 1 green cabbage (~3 lbs) — 1/4 cup coarse salt + 1 cup water (for brine) — 4-5 tbsp gochugaru (korean red chili flakes) — 2 tbsp minced garlic — 1 tbsp minced ginger — 2 tbsp fish sauce (OR saewoojeot) — 1 tbsp sugar (OR plum extract) — 1 bundle chopped green onions —OPTIONAL roasted sesame seeds to finish #kimchi #cabbage #easyrecipes #koreanrecipe #banchan
547K
27.1K
145
1mo ago
itshelenmelon
turn green cabbage into KIMCHI! this is a Korean recipe EVERYONE can make, even if you don’t have an Asian market near you! while traditional kimchi calls for napa cabbage, it’s not the most accessible ingredient for some people. This version is a quick and easy alternative that still offers the delicious crunch, tang and flavor of kimchi! It’s also beginner friendly and much less daunting as it calls for staple kitchen ingredients :) STORING TIP: Enjoy immediately (like geotjeori, or fresh kimchi) and eat within 3-4 days. OR let it ferment by leaving in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days before refrigerating. BRINE TIP: If your head of cabbage is larger, you may need to use more salt. Use your best judgement. When chopping up the cabbage, I discard the very first layer of cabbage, the core, and the very thick parts of the cabbage. Those don’t make it into the bowl! Also, highly recommend giving your cabbage a nice toss half way through the 30 minutes for best results. Fun fact: green cabbage kimchi is called yangbaechu kimchi, and you’ll actually find it at some Korean-Chinese restaurants as a banchan (side dish)! INGREDIENTS & MEASUREMENTS: — 1 green cabbage (~3 lbs) — 1/4 cup coarse salt + 1 cup water (for brine) — 4-5 tbsp gochugaru (korean red chili flakes) — 2 tbsp minced garlic — 1 tbsp minced ginger — 2 tbsp fish sauce (OR saewoojeot) — 1 tbsp sugar (OR plum extract) — 1 bundle chopped green onions —OPTIONAL roasted sesame seeds to finish #kimchi #cabbage #easyrecipes #koreanrecipe #banchan
maybe my fave recipe of 2026!! kimchi gochujang udon noodles in 10 minutes! CREAMY AND SPICY AND SOOOO GOOD. It’s an easy one pan recipe that I like to have as a lazy girl dinner. Also if you’ve been to Louders in Ktown LA, this is kinda like a dupe of their kimchi carbonara udon dish - iykyk!!! INGREDIENTS (for 1 person): — 1 frozen udon packet — 2 tsp minced garlic — 3/4 tbsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) — 1/2 tsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) — 1/4 tsp black pepper — 1/2 tbsp soy sauce — 1 tsp honey — 1/3 cup chopped kimchi — 2 tbsp kimchi juice — 1/3 cup water — 6 tbsp heavy cream — grated parmesan to taste — chopped green onions to taste COOKING TIP: do NOT cook on high heat! Medium to medium high is best. Once you assemble everything in the pan, gently combine the ingredients together (except the noodles). And once you get to the final step of adding parmesan, black pepper and green onions, turn to LOW heat. PROTEIN SUGGESTION: beef or pork would complement this dish well! For instance, bits of pancetta or slices of beef brisket. #girldinner #easyrecipes #udon #kimchi #pastarecipe
531K
34.6K
74
1mo ago
itshelenmelon
maybe my fave recipe of 2026!! kimchi gochujang udon noodles in 10 minutes! CREAMY AND SPICY AND SOOOO GOOD. It’s an easy one pan recipe that I like to have as a lazy girl dinner. Also if you’ve been to Louders in Ktown LA, this is kinda like a dupe of their kimchi carbonara udon dish - iykyk!!! INGREDIENTS (for 1 person): — 1 frozen udon packet — 2 tsp minced garlic — 3/4 tbsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) — 1/2 tsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) — 1/4 tsp black pepper — 1/2 tbsp soy sauce — 1 tsp honey — 1/3 cup chopped kimchi — 2 tbsp kimchi juice — 1/3 cup water — 6 tbsp heavy cream — grated parmesan to taste — chopped green onions to taste COOKING TIP: do NOT cook on high heat! Medium to medium high is best. Once you assemble everything in the pan, gently combine the ingredients together (except the noodles). And once you get to the final step of adding parmesan, black pepper and green onions, turn to LOW heat. PROTEIN SUGGESTION: beef or pork would complement this dish well! For instance, bits of pancetta or slices of beef brisket. #girldinner #easyrecipes #udon #kimchi #pastarecipe

Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲 (@itshelenmelon) Instagram Stats & Analytics

Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲 (@itshelenmelon) has 163K Instagram followers with a 3.06% engagement rate over the past 12 months. Across 114 posts, Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲 received 1.07M total likes and 35.3M impressions, averaging 9.37K likes per post. This page tracks Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲's performance metrics, top content, and engagement trends — updated daily. To benchmark @itshelenmelon against other accounts, use Socialpruf's Instagram competitor analysis tool.

Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲 (@itshelenmelon) Instagram Analytics FAQ

How many Instagram followers does Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲 have?+
Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲 (@itshelenmelon) has 163K Instagram followers as of November 2026.
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Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲's Instagram engagement rate is 3.06% over the last 12 months, based on 114 posts.
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Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲 received 1.07M total likes across 114 posts in the last 12 months, averaging 9.37K likes per post.
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Helen | Food + Experiences 🍲's Instagram content generated 35.3M total impressions over the last 12 months.
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