Korean food is more than just BBQ and kimchiโit’s rich in flavor, full of culture, and totally addictive. Whether you’re visiting Seoul or exploring the countryside, here are the top 10 must-try Korean dishes and where to eat them like a local.
๐ฅ 1. Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly)
- What it is: Thick slices of pork belly grilled at your table, eaten with lettuce, garlic, and dipping sauces.
- Where to try:
- Mapo Galmaegi (Hongdae)
- Palsaek Samgyeopsal (Sinchon)
- ๐ฏ Join a Korean BBQ Night Tour on Klook
๐ฅ 2. Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
- What it is: Spicy stew made with aged kimchi, pork, tofu, and gochujang (red pepper paste).
- Where to try:
- Gwanghwamun Jip (near Gyeongbokgung)
- Local diners (shikdang) all over Korea
๐ฅ 3. Bibimbap (Mixed Rice Bowl)
- What it is: Warm rice topped with vegetables, egg, gochujang, and optional beef.
- Where to try:
- Gogung (Insadong or Myeongdong)
- Jeonju-style Bibimbap restaurants
๐ 4. Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)
- What it is: Chewy rice cakes in sweet-spicy red sauce.
- Where to try:
- Gwangjang Market
- Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town
- ๐ฏ Book a street food tour in Seoul
๐ 5. Korean Fried Chicken (Yangnyeom or Crispy)
- What it is: Double-fried chicken in sweet-spicy or soy-garlic sauce.
- Where to try:
- BHC, Kyochon, BBQ Chicken
- Enjoy with beer at Hangang River (“Chimaek” style)
๐ฒ 6. Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
- What it is: Whole young chicken stuffed with rice, garlic, jujube, and ginseng.
- Where to try:
- Tosokchon (near Gyeongbokgung)
- Baekje Samgyetang (Myeongdong)
๐ฅ 7. Mandu (Korean Dumplings)
- What it is: Steamed, boiled, or fried dumplings filled with pork, tofu, or kimchi.
- Where to try:
- Myeongdong Kyoja
- Bukchon Son Mandu
๐ 8. Jjajangmyeon (Black Bean Noodles)
- What it is: Noodles in savory-sweet black bean sauce, originally Chinese-Korean.
- Where to try:
- Hong Kong Banjeom
- Neighborhood Chinese restaurants
๐ข 9. Sundae (Korean Blood Sausage)
- What it is: Steamed sausage made of pig intestines stuffed with glass noodles.
- Where to try:
- Sillim Sundae Town
- Traditional markets
๐ถ 10. Makgeolli (Korean Rice Wine)
- What it is: Sweet, milky rice wine often paired with savory pancakes (jeon).
- Where to try:
- Jeon & Makgeolli pubs in Ikseon-dong or Hongdae
- Gwangjang Market
๐จโ๐ณ Bonus: Take a Korean Cooking Class
Want to bring the flavors home? Try a hands-on cooking experience led by locals.
๐ฏ Book a Korean Cooking Class on Klook
๐ Quick Tips for Foodies
- Most Korean meals come with free side dishes (banchan)
- You donโt need to tip at restaurants
- Ask for โmaepji anayoโ (not spicy) if you’re sensitive to heat
- Use KakaoMap or Naver Map to find real-time restaurant reviews