If you think you know kimchi, guess again. You should try every version of this staple of Korean food that you come across, since there are more than 100 different varieties. It's amazing what you can do with fermented cabbage, red hot peppers, spices, and a little determination.

If you'd like to learn Korean cooking from an expert, keep an eye out for classes offered at local continuing education facilities and community colleges. This is a great way to learn how to cook Korean food effectively, especially if you live in California, the South, or other areas with large Korean-American populations.

If you're an adventurous gourmand who loves seafood, Korean food offers a wide variety of excellent dishes known collectively as jeotgol. These are all salted, fermented fish products, and include everything from salted shrimp, anchovies, and squid to salted fish intestines.