Celebrate BTS V’s Birthday, Cook His Favourite Dishes At Home

Even if you aren’t a K-pop fan, you cannot deny that the Korean music industry is an absolute rage across the world today. It is difficult to describe the frenzy because their popularity is truly unprecedented. Not like the world has not seen Asian pop stars before, but if BTS has announced something, the ‘Army’ will ensure the world knows about it. The ‘BTS Army’ refers to the massive section of fans the Korean boy band has earned across the globe. 

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And since BTS V's birthday is today, you would undoubtedly want to celebrate it in a unique way as an ARMY, wouldn't you? Why not celebrate by preparing some of his favourite meals at home, binge-watching his videos, and playing all of his music nonstop? Here are some of V's favourite foods that you can simply make at home to transform the celebration into an intimate, army-approved feast, from hearty Korean classics to simple, delicious ones he absolutely loves!

Japchae

Time and time again, V of BTS has mentioned that he loves a good bowl of japchae that’s not too spicy. Japchae will take your love for noodles to the next level. A native of Korean cuisine, these are made of sweet potato. To define it in simple terms, japchae is a flavourful stir-fried glass noodles prepared with dangmyeon, a variant of cellophane noodles made out of sweet potatoes. These are often tossed with an array of vegetables, shrooms, and sauces, vibrant soy sauce. Many households in Korea make japchae in their kitchen using sweet potatoes. These are healthy, tasty, and filling noodles compared to many other variants. One can prepare a variety of dishes using glass noodles in both cold and hot preparations. A few options are hot pots, soups, spring rolls, stir-fried, or cold salads. The traditional method of serving begins with glass noodles as the bottom layer, followed by the sauce, then a generous portion of vegetables, and protein sits on top. It's not mixed until the last minute.

Ice Creams

Everyone enjoys ice cream as a dessert because of its creamy texture and limitless flavour options. Store-bought tubs are handy, but making ice cream at home is surprisingly easy and gives you control over the taste and ingredients. You can make a fresh, personalised treat that's ideal for any occasion with simply cream, milk, sugar, and your preferred flavours. Ice cream is one of V's favourite treats, and he has a huge sweet tooth. He likes a wide variety of flavours, but strawberries are his favourite. BTS V chose an apple-flavoured soft serve ice cream with strawberry syrup on top during one of the BTS RUN episodes. He likes apple, strawberry, orange, and lemon kinds of ice cream. He and the other members of the group once enjoyed ice cream in numerous videos posted by the BTS YouTube channel. With only a few ingredients and your favourite fruit stored in the fridge, you can make delicious ice cream at home without much hassle. Plus, with home ingredients, you can make large batches without caring about the price. 

Burgers & Pizza

BTS V likes to eat pork and other meats, especially when it's barbecued over a BBQ. On the other hand, he adores pizza and burgers, which are his favourite go-to foods. Additionally, V has demonstrated his culinary prowess by grilling meat for his fellow cast members on programs like Bon Voyage. Like many BTS members, he likes a variety of chicken meals. His preferred foods are said to include grilled meat, barbecue, and other meat-based dishes. Making a burger seems to be a cakewalk, doesn’t it? Add to that some veggies, and you are good to go. A pizza, on the other hand, is a bigger affair, and you can’t possibly eat a pizza while standing in the metro or bus. The art of making burgers and pizzas lies in every step of its preparation.  A fun, hands-on activity that transforms cooking into an experience is making burgers and pizzas at home. It allows you to be creative and personalise every meal, from forming patties to selecting your own toppings. It's a wonderful opportunity to savour comfort cuisine, try other flavours, and spend time in the kitchen.

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Kimchi Jiggae

Kimchi is a side dish in Korean cuisine. Known for its spicy flavour and texture, kimchi is made from vegetables like napa cabbage, radish, and scallions that are salted, seasoned, and left to ferment. The fermentation process gives kimchi its sour taste. While there are over 200 varieties, the most common type is baechu kimchi, which uses napa cabbage as the main vegetable.  Another favourite of BTS V is kimchi jjigae, a spicy kimchi stew. He has stated that he enjoys eating it with rice, particularly when he's feeling chilly. A filling and cosy dish that's perfect for a winter day is kimchi jjigae. Traditionally, kimchi jjigae is served with rice and many side dishes, including pickled vegetables and kimchi. It begins with Napa cabbage, which is salted and left to ferment for a period of time. This allows the cabbage leaves to soften and begin to break down. The cabbage is then mixed with garlic, ginger, scallions, chilli powder, fish sauce, and more. The mixture is then left to ferment again. Its sourness comes from the natural fermentation process. The red colouring comes from the chilli powder. And the flavour comes from the blend of spices used.  

Korean Fried Chicken

Korean fried chicken has become a beloved culinary phenomenon in South Korea, transcending cultural boundaries to captivate palates worldwide. Its popularity is attributed to the mouthwatering combinations of crispy coating and delectable sauces, making it a favourite among locals and an international sensation, often found in Korean restaurants around the globe. BTS V also loves his plate of Korean fried chicken, which he has shown to fans on many Weverse live streams many times. Traditional Korean fried chicken, known as "huraideu-chikin" in Korean, follows a simple preparation process involving seasoned chicken pieces deep-fried twice for an ultra-crispy texture. The initial frying partially cooks the chicken, and after a short resting period, it undergoes a second round of frying, ensuring a golden-brown and crunchy exterior. In recent years, the popularity of KFC has led to various modern adaptations and creative twists on the classic recipe. Chefs and restaurants experiment with diverse sauces, ranging from the traditional spicy and sweet glazes to innovative flavours like honey butter, soy garlic, and even cheese. Additionally, different regions in Korea have developed their own unique styles, with some areas emphasising spiciness while others focus on sweet and savoury blends, showcasing the rich culinary diversity within Korean fried chicken.