Eonamseonsaeng Dives Deep into Cooking, Shares 79 Golden Recipes

Publication of 'Ryu Sooyoung's Lifetime Recipes' Book
Actor Ryu Sooyoung, Known as 'Eonamseonsaeng'
Introducing 79 Unique and Simple Recipes
Apple Peels in Seaweed Soup, Carrot Oil
A Spoonful of Charm in Everyday Dishes

Kimchi-jjigae, doenjang-jjigae, gochujang-jjigae?these familiar Korean stews are finished with a unique twist: a tablespoon of vinegar added at the end. There’s gimbap made by stir-frying all the ingredients in just carrot oil, and seaweed soup simmered with whole apples, skin and all. Actor Ryu Sooyoung’s cooking may seem ordinary at first glance, but it always carries an unexpected charm. At first, his methods might seem unusual and even amusing, but one bite is all it takes to understand their appeal.

Through various cooking shows, he has earned the nickname “Eonamseonsaeng” (real name: Eonam Seon) and has become known as a “home-cooked meal master.” He has compiled 79 recipes out of the more than 300 he introduced on television into a book (pictured). Having appeared in over 40 dramas and films, his journey as a “home-cooked meal chef” began with the variety show “Zipcook Live.” On the program, he discovered the joy of preparing a warm meal for someone else and naturally developed a desire to share his own recipes.

Later, on the variety show “Pyeonstorang,” he showcased a wide range of simple home meals, and through the food documentary “Matui Nara,” he traveled across Korea introducing seasonal Korean cuisine. In “Jungle Bap,” he ventured abroad, taking on the challenge of cooking with unfamiliar ingredients. Last year, he was invited as a special guest speaker at a K-food conference held at Stanford University in the United States, where he helped promote Korean cuisine to the world.

The more than 300 recipes he has introduced are designed so that anyone can easily follow them, whether cooking in a small studio kitchen, struggling to prepare meals as a young professional, or just starting out as a newlywed unfamiliar with cooking. Instead of specialized measuring tools, he uses everyday items like rice spoons, teaspoons, water cups, and soju glasses, and provides instructions that don’t require an oven or air fryer. For example, when making dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken), he recommends placing potatoes around the edge of the wok to prevent them from breaking apart, and explains that when ripples form on the bottom of a pot with oil, it’s a sign that preheating is complete?offering plenty of tips for beginner cooks.

On YouTube, “Ryu Sooyoung Recipes” and “Eonamseonsaeng Recipes” have gained tremendous popularity, with total video views surpassing 300 million. When asked about publishing his book, he replied, “I truly enjoyed the time I spent in the kitchen for someone else. Seeing my family and friends enjoy the food I made made me proud. Every time I see another video or post from someone who tried my recipe, I feel a growing sense of responsibility and purpose.”