Easy Korean Corn Cheese Dip Recipe

This Korean corn cheese dip is a delicious snack that’s inspired by the popular Korean corn cheese appetizer commonly served at Korean BBQ restaurants. It’s rich and creamy – perfect for dipping, scooping, and snacking!

Chips and dips are some of my favorite snacks because they’re easy to prepare, fun to eat, and most importantly delicious. I’m not big on cheese dips because I find that they are usually super heavy and over-indulgent so my usual go-to dips are salsa, hummus, or my personal favorite – Pineapple Guacamole. One day, I had a sudden intense craving for a cheesy dip, which happens randomly when it’s that time of month lol. I rummaged through my pantry and one thing led to another, and I ended up with this hot, cheesy, corn dip that was too good not to share. Sometimes, the best things come to life when you least expect it and this was one of those moments.

Why you’ll love this recipe

If you love Korean corn cheese, this might be your new favorite dip! You get the familiar flavors of the Korean corn cheese appetizer followed by the thick and creamy consistency of an ooey gooey cheese dip. Each bite feels and tastes like a warm cozy hug, and whether you’re making this for yourself or a large gathering, I’m confident this will be a hit.

Best of all, everything comes together in under 30 minutes and you can even prepare this in advance!

Korean Corn Cheese Dip Ingredients & Substitutions

Canned corn: for convenience and consistency, I like using canned corn. You can definitely use fresh corn in the summertime or when it’s in season.

Pickled jalapenos: the addition of chopped pickled jalapenos gives the corn dip a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor. My favorite pickled jalapenos are from Trader Joe’s, which is more sweet than spicy. Feel free to use any brand you like.

Cream cheese: the cream cheese makes this rich, thick, and creamy. I used a fairly small amount, around 2 ounces because I didn’t want it to be too rich but you can adjust this based on your preferences.

Mozzarella cheese: now it’s not a cheese dip without lots of cheese and you want to make sure you’re shredding the mozzarella cheese yourself. Preshredded cheese that’s sold in the supermarket is usually coated in some type of starch that prevents it from sticking together in the packaging. While pre-shredded cheese is more convenient, the starch prevents the cheese from melting thoroughly and it will result in a disappointing, almost non-existent cheese pull. If you want beautifully melted cheese with epic cheese pulls, shred the cheese with a box grater at home! Feel free to try different cheese combinations with the mozzarella to experiment with flavors you enjoy.

Kewpie mayo: Kewpie mayo is a type of Japanese mayo that I exclusively use in my home. It’s richer, creamier, and slightly sweeter than regular mayo. This is obviously based on preference but I highly recommend giving it a try! You can find Kewpie mayo at your local Asian market or on Amazon.

Scallions: scallions are added for freshness in the dip and also as a garnish. You can also use chives.

Sugar: Korean corn cheese usually has sugar added to help balance out the savoriness of the dish and this dip is no exception. Not to worry though – the sugar is not enough to make the dip sweet.

Garlic powder: added for a hint of garlicky flavor. You can also use fresh garlic if you like.

Cayenne pepper: a pinch is all you need for a subtle kick of heat. This dish is not supposed to be spicy but it can be! Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper added based on your preferences. Cayenne pepper can also be substituted with gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes), paprika, or chili powder. If you want to omit the spiciness completely, skip the cayenne pepper.

Salt: be sure to taste and adjust the amount added based on your preference.

Ground black pepper: adjust the amount added based on your preference.

Unsalted butter: the butter adds flavor and also helps to bind the dip together.

How to make Korean Corn Cheese Dip

Step 1: Preheat oven

Preheat your oven by turning on the broiler. Place the rack in the middle rack position.

Step 2: Drain canned corn

Start by draining a can of corn. Once fully drained, transfer to a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Step 3: Combine corn cheese dip ingredients

To the mixing bowl, add chopped pickled jalapenos, cream cheese, 1 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella, Kewpie mayo, scallions, sugar, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, ground black pepper, and melted unsalted butter. Mix until well combined.

Step 4: Transfer to baking dish

Transfer to a baking dish and smooth out the top. Add 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, making sure to spread it out in an even layer.

Step 5: Broil and serve!

Place the baking dish in the oven, making sure that it’s about 6 inches from the broiler. Broil for 15 minutes or until the cheese has turned golden brown. Remove and garnish with scallions. Serve with your favorite chips or vegetables!

Korean Corn Cheese Dip Cooking Tips & Tricks

• Feel free to use your favorite combination of spices in addition or in place of the spices I used. Some spices that I think would work include onion powder, paprika, cumin, and white pepper powder. Have fun and experiment with flavors that you enjoy!
• Mozzarella cheese is traditionally used to make Korean corn cheese because it doesn’t overpower the flavors of the corn and it’s great for cheese pulls, but you can use any combination of cheese that you like! Similar to the spices, try out different cheese combinations to see what you like.
• To save time, this dip can be made up to one day in advance. After mixing the ingredients together, transfer into a baking dish then cover and keep chilled in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, broil and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Korean corn cheese?

Korean corn cheese is a popular appetizer that’s commonly served in Korean BBQ restaurants. While each restaurant has its own version, it’s generally made up of canned corn, cheese, and spices, then baked on a sizzling platter before serving. The flavor profile of Korean corn cheese is sweet from the corn and added sugar and savory from the cheese and spices.

What can I substitute with mozzarella cheese?

Mozzarella cheese is ideal for this recipe for two reasons – it is mild in taste to prevent overpowering the corn flavor and it is super stringy, making it appealing for cheese pulls. While mozzarella cheese is traditionally used for Korean corn cheese, feel free you use any cheese you like including brie, pepper jack, cheddar, Monterey jack, gouda, and more! You can also experiment with different cheese combinations to see what you enjoy best.

Can Korean corn cheese dip be made in advance?

Yes, absolutely! This corn cheese dip can definitely be prepared a day in advance, which makes it a convenient appetizer or snack. If you’re making the dip a day in advance, transfer the mixed ingredients into a baking dish and smooth out the top. Cover the baking dish with saran wrap and store in the fridge until ready to broil. Follow the broiling instructions in the recipe card then serve and enjoy!

What should I serve with Korean corn cheese dip?

To keep it simple, I like having this dip with plain salted tortilla chips. You can also have this with fresh vegetables like celery sticks and carrots or crackers. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even dip chicken wings in the dip!

How can I store Korean corn cheese dip?

To properly store leftover dip, cover with saran wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can either microwave on high or heat it in a preheated 300F (150C) oven for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Looking for more easy and delicious appetizer recipes?

Here are my most popular dishes!

• Corn Cheese Balls – these fried corn cheese balls are another spin on Korean corn cheese appetizer. They’re incredibly crunchy, cheesy, and the ultimate snack!
• Pepsi Pulled Pork – score big on flavor for your next gathering, with these cheesy Pepsi pulled pork sliders. They’re a guaranteed hit and the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
• Spicy Tuna Salad with Crispy Rice – if you’ve ever craved the viral spicy tuna crispy rice but don’t want the sushi-grade or restaurant price tag that it comes with, this canned tuna dupe is for you!
• Kimchi Cheese Rice Balls – if you have leftover kimchi fried rice, turn them into cheesy fried rice balls! These rice balls have everything I love in one bite and it’s the ultimate comfort food snack.
• Kimchi Nachos – this version of nachos includes a secret ingredient that turns this classic favorite into a delicious fusion. The spicy and tangy zest of kimchi elevates this indulgent snack in the most delicious way.
• Uni Toast – if you’ve never added uni to your egg toast, this is your sign! Uni toast is a combination of luxurious flavors with the comfort of a familiar breakfast staple.
• Pepsi Chicken Wings – these sweet and sticky Pepsi glazed wings are finger-licking good. Perfect for game day or a delicious snack.