Virtually unknown in Brazil 10 years ago, Korean cuisine was brought here on the back of the success of K-dramas (also known as “dramas”) and K-pop . The fact is that establishments filled with the culture of this Asian country are now popping up in Curitiba.
Worldwide, the success was the result of a large investment by the South Korean government in the late 1990s to expand Korean pop culture. Today, this movement is called the “Korean wave” or hallyu.
If years ago sushi and sashimi became a craze, today kimchi which is a fermented food made from vegetables, considered the basis of the Korean diet, is a big bet for chefs, even in non-Korean restaurants.
Pillars of Korean cuisine
South Korean food is known for its fusion of flavors, ranging from sweet to spicy in a single bite. It features many vegetables, such as Swiss chard, chives, burdock root, lotus root, soybean sprouts, and khaennip (wild sesame leaves).
Five ingredients, however, are the pillars of the country’s cuisine: Sesame oil , ganjang (soy sauce), gochujang (fermented pepper paste), doenjang (Korean miso, stronger than Japanese miso, made exclusively from soybeans and salt water) and chilli powder . Don’t like spicy food? There are non-spicy dishes too!
With the “Korean wave” in mind, check out five places below to get to know a little of the Asian country’s cuisine in Curitiba:
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Yoribogo – Korean Restaurant
The small space opened in the second half of 2023 and is located in the food court of Spot Compact Mall. The service is provided by the owner himself, who has lived in Brazil for 20 years and is very friendly.
If you are a fan of pepper, and it is cold, you can bet on Chef’s Ramyeon (R$35), which is a very spicy and tasty Korean ramen, served with kimchi, of course. Another great option is the Tteokbokki (R$ 35), an iconic dish of Korean cuisine. It consists of a glutinous rice noodle served with a spicy and slightly sweet red sauce, fish paste, sausage and boiled egg.
To drink, there are several alcoholic Korean drinks, such as the typical Soju, and non-alcoholic ones, such as Korean soda.
Yoribogo: Rua Vicente Machado, 520 – store 8 – Centro, Curitiba – PR / No telephone / Opening hours: Monday, from 11:30 am to 9 pm; Tuesday, from 11:30 am to 3 pm; Wednesday to Saturday, from 11:30 am to 9 pm.
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Saiso Korean Food Market
Saiso operates as a restaurant and emporium for Korean products, and is a popular lunch destination for local workers looking for something unusual.
Good entry options are the Pork JjimPam (R$18 for 3 units), which is a steamed pork dumpling, or the classic Korean street food Mixed Corn Dog (R$ 18). It’s a sausage skewered on a stick, interspersed with cheese, breaded in a slightly sweet batter and panko flour, sprinkled with sugar and finished with ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. Strange? Maybe, but it works, believe me.
If you want something lighter, ask for the Kimbap (R$ 22), a Korean sushi made with seaweed, sausage, ham, omelet, carrot, cucumber, yellow turnip and fish paste. The main dishes are: Chapaguetti (R$35), which is a noodle with soy-based seasoning, toasted black beans and olive oil, and a fried egg on top. Not spicy at all — if you like it spicy, just ask for more.
Saiso Korean Food Market: Rua Nunes Machado, 30 – Centro, Curitiba – PR / Tel.: (41) 98723-4385 / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 11:30 am to 3 pm and from 6 pm to 10 pm.
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Yü Oriental Cuisine
One of the first restaurants of its kind in Curitiba, Yü has a spacious atmosphere, great for group lunches. The place serves a buffet every day for lunch with Asian dishes, but also serves a Korean à la carte menu.
The classic dish is one of the most popular in Korean cuisine, Bibimbap (R$55). It means “mixed rice”, and consists of white rice topped with meat and vegetables, which are all served separately, with a fried egg on top. Everything must be mixed at the table and seasoned with sesame oil, the Korean pepper gochujang and kimchi. Unmissable.
Yü Oriental Cuisine: Praça General Osório, 485 – Centro, Curitiba – PR / Telephone: (41) 3232-3500 / Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 11:30 am to 3 pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 12 pm to 3 pm.
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Shiny’s Kitchen Curitiba
The small door, located at the back of a gallery in Osório Square, shares space with several other establishments in a food court. The service is always friendly and the food is ready quickly.
Mandatory dish is the Mixed Corn Dog (R$15), which has a very fluffy and light dough, perfect breading and cheese that melts. It is highly addictive.
Innovation is the responsibility of Korean Carbonara (R$ 36.90), which is a noodle with a very spicy sauce, which also contains cheese, garlic and chicken broth. Served with cabbage salad, corn and rice.
Shiny’s Kitchen Curitiba: Praça General Osório, 333 – store 18 – Centro, Curitiba – PR / No telephone / Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am to 3pm; closed on Sundays and Mondays.
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Yami Asian Food
Yami is a traditional Korean restaurant in Osório Square. With a more contemporary atmosphere, it has shared tables and it is common to see groups of Asians having lunch and chatting animatedly in a language that is completely incomprehensible to Westerners.
A good option, especially for cold days, is the Miso Ramen (R$42), which consists of noodles in a pork broth seasoned with miso, with slices of Char Siu (pork belly), boiled egg, carrot, bean sprouts, seaweed and spring onion.
Another bolder option is the Japchae Bap (R$49), which is sweet potato noodles sautéed with sesame oil, soy sauce, meat and vegetables. The noodles, which are transparent and more elastic, make the dish a unique experience.
Yami Asian Food: Praça General Osório, 447 – Centro, Curitiba – PR / Tel.: (41) 3029-4840 / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 11:30 am to 4 pm.
*The texts published by Insiders do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CNN Travel & Gastronomy.
About Caroline Grimm
Born in Curitiba, a doctor by training and a gastronome at heart, Caroline Grimm is also a content creator and accumulates thousands of followers on social media. As she herself describes, she lives to cook, eat, drink and travel – not necessarily in that order, but always in search of the best experiences.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
