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Korean corn cheese is a savory, slightly sweet dish that is versatile and delicious. With a layer of melty cheese on top of perfectly seasoned sweet corn, it can be served as a side dish or appetizer. Everyone in the family, from kids to adults, will fall in love with this fabulous cheesy corn dish.
Corn cheese is easy, too. It takes just minutes to throw together in a small oven-proof skillet, and it requires only about 5 to 7 minutes of cooking time. A quick sauté on the stovetop is followed by a few minutes under the broiler to melt and brown the cheese layer.
I used mozzarella cheese in this version, but you can use any good melting cheese. Fontina would be wonderful, or add some Cheddar, Swiss, or Muenster to the mozzarella.
What makes this cheesy corn Korean?
Apparently, cans of corn were handed out to Koreans by American soldiers during the Korean war in the early 1950s. This introduction to corn led to many new and creative Korean dishes. Cheese can also be traced back to the Korean war and a surplus of military items left by the U.S. Army.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Melty and comforting. The combination of corn, mayo, and mozzarella is creamy and satisfying.
Quick to prepare. Just sauté, top with cheese, and broil.
Versatile serving options. Works as a snack, starter, or side dish.
Customizable. Easy to adapt with spices, herbs, or extra veggies.
Ingredient Notes
- Corn kernels – Canned, fresh, or thawed frozen corn all work well; just make sure it’s well drained.
- Red bell pepper – Adds color and a bit of sweetness.
- Green onions – Both the white and light green parts go in the dish; dark green tops make a great garnish.
- Mayonnaise – Provides creaminess and helps the mixture meld together.
- Sugar – A tiny bit enhances the natural sweetness of the corn.
- Salt and pepper – Adjust to taste.
- Butter – Used for sautéing and adding richness.
- Mozzarella – Melts beautifully and creates that signature cheesy stretch.
Steps to Make Korean Corn Cheese
- Prepare all vegetables and set aside the green onion tops for garnish.
- Mix the corn, bell pepper, and sliced green onions in a bowl.
- Stir in the mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Melt butter in an oven-safe skillet and add the corn mixture.
- Sauté until heated through.
- Sprinkle cheese over the top and broil until browned in spots.
Tips
- Drain corn thoroughly to avoid excess liquid in the skillet.
- Use an oven-safe skillet so you can broil the cheese without transferring dishes.
- Watch the broiler closely; cheese browns quickly.
- Stir in a spoonful of cream cheese for an even richer version.
Recipe Variations
- Make it spicy. Add chopped jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of gochujang.
- Use different cheeses. Try Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a blend for a new flavor.
- Add bacon. Crisp crumbled bacon adds smoky richness.
- Include vegetables. Stir in diced onions, carrots, or bell peppers for more texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with Korean wings, BBQ meats or fried chicken.
- Pair with tortilla chips or toasted bread for scooping.
- Add as a topping for baked potatoes.
- Garnish with extra green onions or herbs.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cheese will soften but still tastes great reheated.
Freeze: Freezing is not recommended, as the mayonnaise and cheese can separate.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or in the oven until hot and bubbly.
Korean Corn Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn, fresh, frozen, or canned and drained
- 3 tbsp red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, with a few tablespoons of dark green slices set aside for garnish
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp granulated sugar, or to taste
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- 1 dash ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Position the oven rack in the top third of the oven and heat the broiler.
- In a medium bowl combine the corn, bell pepper, and sliced green onions. Make sure you set aside some of the sliced dark green pieces for garnish.2 cups corn | 3 tbsp red bell pepper | 2 green onions
- Add the mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and a dash of pepper; mix well.3 tbsp mayonnaise | 1 tsp granulated sugar | 1/4 tsp fine sea salt | 1 dash ground black pepper
- Melt the butter in a small (8-inch) oven-safe skillet over medium heat.1 tbsp butter
- Add the corn mixture to the skillet and sauté, stirring constantly, until hot, about 3 to 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings with more salt, pepper, and sugar, as desired.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the corn mixture and place the pan under the broiler.1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Broil until the cheese is melted and brown in spots, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately as a side dish or appetizer.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
