Update 2024
Have you tried authentic Korean food? Kimchi, doenjang, gochujang, and sesame oil are the main components of Korean cuisine’s specific aroma. Discover what locals recommend from this article. Koreans are true gourmets, be ready for the list!
1. Korean Barbecue 고기구이 "Gogi guui"
The One Korean Food Everyone Loves!
The one Korean food that everyone loves is Korean Barbecue! It will satisfy both your hunger and curiosity about Korean Culture. The custom is to make wraps called 쌈 “ssam” with vegetables, and side dishes such as kimchis, fern brakes, and perilla leaves.
Korean barbecue is on top of the list for a reason. You can taste all the Korean cuisine in one meal! The food range is large. And, you can enjoy it all year round at different budgets and occasions.
What is on the Korean Barbecue table?
Korean beef called Hanwoo (한우), marinated beef short ribs Kalbi (갈비), and pork belly Samgyeopsal (삼겹살), or shoulder Moksal (목살), even intestines (곱창) and for fish barbecue, try grilled eel (장어)
Additional dishes you could order: Steamed eggs 계란찜 “Gyeran Jjim”, cold noodles called 냉면 “Naengmyeon”, and fry-over-grill rice 볶음밥 “Bokkeum-bap”
Side dishes: Cabbage kimchi, yellow radish, garlic cloves, green chili pepper, mushrooms, lettuce, and leaves to make wraps
Ganggangsullae (강강술래) is a restaurant that specializes in grilled-over-charcoal Korean beef meat, but they also have pork to accommodate everyone. This place is particularly loved for its side dishes and meat quality.
Menu: Beef (31,000 to 55,000 won per portion), Pork (19,000 & 22,000 won per portion), Beef rib stew with special rice (17,000 won), Naengmyeon (10,000 won), Doenjang jiggae (4,000 won)
Address: Seoul, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seonyu-ro 251 (서울 영등포구 선유로 251)
Information: Open every day with no exception, from 11 am to 11 pm
Tips: Setting the table and grilling the meat is a sign of politeness, usually the youngest is assigned to these tasks. So, if you are the youngest, you can find everything in the table’s drawer. Sometimes the side dishes are at the self-service counter, so make sure to check that as well.
2. Korean Fried Chicken 치킨 "Chikin"
The Most Trendy Korean Food
Korean people’s soul food besides instant ramyeon noodles would be Fried Chicken. Countless kinds of fried chicken were invented to adapt to the different generations and trends. The most common fried chicken would be deep-fried wings or thighs with sweet and spicy sauce. It is an addictive sauce called 양념 “Yangnyeom” that you can find in many Korean dishes. This sauce is made of Korean chili-garlic sauce 고추장 “gochujang” mixed with brown sugar and soy sauce.
A Korean Food That Became Popular
Historically, Korean Fried Chicken was known as a simple deep-fried chicken called 시장통닭 “Sijang Tongdak”, a food specialty from Suwon city. But, it is in the south of South Korea, that started the current trend of eating fried chicken with beer, which is called 치맥 “Chimaek”. Here are examples of foods on a Korean Fried Chicken table:
Kind of cooked chicken: Deep-fried or baked
Kind of sauces: Sweet-spicy, soy-garlic, honey-garlic
Side dishes: Pickled radish, sometimes fries, and tteok (rice cake)
Best Delivery Chicken in Korea
BBQ and BHC are the best-known delivered fried chicken, with over a thousand franchises across South Korea.
But, as tourists, eating delivery food is unlikely. I recommend eating fried chicken at a restaurant in Hongdae.
My first Korean Fried Chicken was there, and it was perfect! Boneless and juicy thigh pieces! Unfortunately, the place closed. But in the Hongdae area, you will always be able to find good chicken restaurants.
Where is the best Chimaek in Seoul?
Head to the Hongik University area, also called Hongdae, to find the best chicken and beer in Seoul. You could try Outdark. They serve chicken with french fries and fried rice cake. It opens at 4 pm.
Tips: If it is your first time, order the half-half boneless chicken to try out 2 kinds of sauce. If you can’t tolerate spicy food, then avoid the spicy-sweet sauce. Go for soy-garlic sauce or honey-garlic sauce.
3. Korean Street Food 길거리 음식 "Gilgeori eumsik"
Eat Korean Food On-The-Go
Having Street Food is one of the best experiences while traveling. Both traditional and innovative foods are all in one place at a reasonable price. Also, it is quite convenient when you don’t know what to eat yet. Stroll around and there will always be the food you would want to try.
In South Korea, the common places where you can eat street food are Korean markets or Street food alleys. Some stalls can offer you a seat to eat. If this is the way you prefer, head to a Korean market rather than Street food alleys where you mostly eat standing at a table corner.
Must-Try Korean Street Food
Here is a list of Korean Street Food that can please anyone:
Tteokbokki (떡볶이), chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy sauce
Kalguksu (칼국수), fresh knife-cut noodles in an anchovy broth
Kimbap (김밥), rice roll with vegetables and yummy sesame oil aroma
Hotdog (핫도그) is the Korean sausage corndog with sometimes mozzarella cheese and diced potato.
Sweets: Hotteok (호떡, a fried pancake filled with nuts, brown sugar, and honey), Bungeobbang (붕어빵, a carp-shaped bread filled with red bean or custard cream), Kkwabaegi (꽈배기, a braided soft doughnut coated with sugar)
Strange-Looking Korean Food That Tastes Good
Sundae (순대) is a sausage made of glass noodles, pig blood, pig intestine, and spices. This sounds unappealing but the taste and texture aren’t that bad if you are familiar with glass noodles.
Eomuk (어묵) is a fishcake you can find in a broth or skewer with veggies. It is very good, especially with the broth in the cold weather.
Spicy Chicken Feet (닭발) is a dish that requires you to use gloves. The spicy sauce and chewiness are what make this dish addictive. Also, it is said to be full of collagen for your skin.
Sulbbang (술빵) is a bread made of rice and alcohol. This is a steamed rice cake with a fluffy texture and light sweetness.
Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is where you could try most of these recommendations. Famous among tourists and locals, it gets crowded fast, even on weekdays. Better come before noon or after 1 p.m.
Address: Seoul, Jongno-gu, 88 Chang gyeonggung-ro (서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88)
Information: Open every day with no exception, from 10 am to 10 pm
Other famous places to enjoy street food in Seoul are the Myeongdong Street Food Alley, around markets in general (Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Market, etc.), and festivals happening in Yeouido Park or Banpo Park with the Han River view.
You could also try restaurants specializing in Korean snacks called Bunsik (분식). They usually have a diverse menu for kimbap and noodle dishes. Or, try night stalls called Pocha (포차), where the ambiance is very casual.
4. Chicken Soup 삼계탕 "Samgyetang"
The Korean Food For A Healthy Body
Samgyetang is a healthy stuffed chicken soup meal. The recipe is as old as the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). This was served to royalties, wealthy families, and elders. The broth is well-known to cure people suffering from sickness as it contains glutinous rice, jujube, garlic, and ginseng. Very nutritious and earthy, this dish is still as popular among elders. Koreans enjoy it in summer to fight high temperatures with heat!
What is ginseng?
Ginseng is a plant whose roots are consumed in traditional medicine to relieve fatigue. The shape of the ginseng roots looks like a person’s body with arms and legs, which is why it is named after the word “a person” from ancient Chinese. This plant is found in broth or liquor, and the taste of the root gets bitter as you chew on a thicker part.
In an old hanok, the restaurant called Tosokchon Samgyetang (토속촌삼계탕) is well-known for their samgyetang. They serve good kimchi and ginseng liquor for any visitor. It is also conveniently located near Gyeongbokgung Palace in the Jongno area of Seoul.
Menu: Regular Samgyetang (19,000 won), Silky Fowl Samgyetang (25,000 won), Seafood Pancake called Haemul Pajeon (16,000 won), Roasted Chicken (18,000 won)
Address: Seoul, Jongno-gu, Jahamun-ro 5-gil (서울특별시 종로구 자하문로5길 5)
Information: Open every day with no exception, from 10 am to 10 pm. The waiting line isn’t long because this restaurant has many seatings.
5. Stir-fried Chicken 닭갈비 "Dakgalbi"
Spicy And Cheesy Korean Food
Dakgalbi is an addictive dish that was developed post-war around 1960. This is almost eaten the same way as Korean barbecue but with a last-minute stir-fry instead of grilling. Originally, it is a food specialty of Chuncheon city, but it is so famous that you can find Dakgalbi restaurants all over South Korea.
Surprisingly, this dish is very harmonious with an equal amount of chicken meat and vegetables. Cabbage, sweet potato, and rice cake “tteok” are all enjoyable to eat in the spicy gochujang-based sauce. Some restaurants serve Dakgalbi with cheese, which smooths the palate from all the spiciness.
Cheese Dakgalbi
In Seoul, you can find many Dakgalbi restaurants but I would recommend eating a cheesy one. At Shin-migyeong (신미경), located in Hongik University station, they have different levels of spiciness. The mild spiciness level is just the right level to eat with cheese.
They stir-fry the spicy chicken with two types of stretchy cheese in front of you. This kind of food show is always enjoyable. Make sure to get a table on the terrace!
Menu: Dakgalbi with cheese (15,000 won per person)
Address: Seoul, Mapo-gu, Wausan-ro 21-gil, 31-10 (서울특별시 마포구 와우산로21길 31-10)
Information: Open every day besides Seollal celebrations, from 11 am to 10 pm
6. Korean Spicy Stews 찌개 "Jjigae"
Complement Every Korean Meals
Most Korean locals would tell you a meal calls for a clean soup, and a meal can not complete without a Guk (국) or Tang (탕). I have talked about Samgyetang in this article already, and other good soups you could find easily would be mandu-guk (soup with dumplings), seolleongtang (ox bone soup) and eomuk-tang (fish cake with soup).
More Than Simple Soups
There are stews known as “jjigae”, such as Kimchi jiggae, Budae jiggae, and Sundubu jiggae. Those soups are incredibly famous among locals as they complement white rice so well. Also, the soup base is made by mixing gochujang and doenjang, the traditional Korean pastes used in many dishes.
-
Sundubu jiggae make a great nutritional meal based on soft tofu. It is often eaten as breakfast for people enjoying salty and spicy food straight out of bed.
-
Kimchi is one of the most famous Korean foods. It is often consumed as a side dish. It is also delicious in a soup called Kimchi jiggae.
-
Budae jiggae means Army stew. It is a soup shared with others, with plenty of Vienna sausages, beans, spam, kimchi, rice cake, and ramyeon. This is the most complete stew, and it will satisfy any hungry stomach.
You can easily find Sundubu jiggae, Kimchi jiggae, and more doenjang-based soups at any Korean barbecue place (even in your home country). This is why I would recommend trying the budae jiggae while in Korea.
Next to Gangnam station, Daewoo Budae jiggae (대우부대찌개) is a popular spot that inspired many to open Budae jiggae businesses in the same area. They differentiate from others with their meat quality and a generous portion of veggies.
Menu: Buddae jiggae (14,000 won per person), Special meat buddae jiggae (23,000 won per person)
Address: Seoul, Gangnam-gu, 34 Teheran-ro 25-gil (서울특별시 강남구 테헤란로25길 34)
Information: Closed on Saturdays, open from 11 am to 8 pm
7. Korean Pork Wraps 족발 "Jokbal" and 보쌈 "Bossam"
A Korean Food That Deserves More Love
Besides grilling pork belly in barbecue restaurants, another famous way of eating pork is braised. Bossam is generally made from pork belly that is boiled for hours until tender to extremely tender. It is served cold and sliced to be eaten wrapped in the “ssam” way just like in barbecue places. The taste of bossam is enjoyable to anyone as there is no surprising flavor.
It is recommended to eat boiled pork over grilled pork if you don’t like the oily feeling and smell. Also, Bossam is generally served with salted shrimp as a condiment and salted cabbage leaves, so the saltiness is adjustable by adding more or less sauce to your wraps. In a bossam specialized restaurant, they are often serving both Bossam and Jokbal platters.
Why do Koreans love eating Jokbal?
Jokbal is made from pig trotters. It is not common, but many people love it in Korea. It is very gelatinous and chewy, with a subtle aromatic flavor imprinted on the skin mainly. This is an addictive Korean food.
Where is the best Jokbal in Seoul?
There are many Jokbal places in Seoul, but we are looking for the local favorite. Manjok Ohyang Jokbal (만족오향족발), a restaurant that serves both jokbal and bossam, is hidden in an alley of City Hall’s business district. Their set menu is cost-effective with many side dishes. Thanks to their tasty Jokbal, the restaurant is proudly appearing in the Michelin Guide of Seoul since 2017.
Menu: Jokbal menu (from 36,000 won to 49,000 won portion for 2-4), Jokbal and Bossam set (from 39,000 won to 49,000 won, portion for 2-4)
Address: Seoul, 134-7 Seosomun-ro (서울특별시 중구 서소문로 134-7)
Information: Open every day from 12 pm to 10 pm
8. Noodles in black bean sauce 짜장면 "Jjajangmyeon"
Intriguing Korean Food Recommended By Locals
Jjajangmyeon is the first noodle dish in this article. Korea is well-known for being a country of noodle lovers with the instant ramyeon, famous kalguksu, jjamppong, and janchi-guksu, as well as naengmyeon (cold noodles). Jjajangmyeon is a bit more interesting to taste as it has no soup and its color is black.
Why is Jjajangmyeon black?
The dish is made of salted fermented black beans turned into a sweet and garlicky paste. It tastes earthy, sweet, and a bit bitter. Added to stir-fried vegetables with ground pork, there is nothing lacking in this dish. What makes it even more complete is the sour yellow pickle radish side dish that always comes with it. The balance between the ingredient’s flavors and thick sauce texture is perfectly designed.
The history behind that dish goes back to the late 19th century in Incheon, South Korea, where Chinese migrants worked in the trading industry. Korean Jjajangmyeon gained popularity for its caramelized variation at an affordable price. If you want to know more about the history, the first Chinese restaurant serving Jjajangmyeon in Incheon turned into the Jjajangmyeon Museum.
Near the Gyeongbokgung Palace, there is a trendy neighborhood called Nuha. This is where the restaurant Yeonghwalu (영화루) is located. Specializing in the black bean sauce Jjajang, they serve it with fried rice and udon options.
Menu: Jjajangmyeon (8,000 won), Jjamppong (8,000 won), crispy pork “Tangsuyuk” (22,000 won size small)
Address: Seoul, Jongno-gu, 65 Jahamun-ro 7-gil (서울특별시 종로구 누하동 자하문로7길 65)
Information: Open every day with no exception, from 11 am to 9 pm
9. Korean cold noodle 냉면 "Naengmyeon"
Must-Eat Korean Food In Summer
Naengmyeon is a one-of-a-kind Korean dish. It is buckwheat noodles in an iced cold broth. Topped with sliced cucumber and pear, this is the most refreshing meal. Some more luxurious versions have egg, meat, and kimchi toppings. Add mustard or vinegar to the broth for an additional kick. Both condiments will be on your table for you to season.
Origins of Naengmyeon
It was created to accommodate buckwheat harvest starting in November. Buckwheat noodles are thin and breakable, especially in a hot broth. So, they made it with a cold broth, which makes this dish, traditionally, a winter meal. But, it is common to eat it all year round nowadays.
Best naengmyeon restaurant in Seoul
In an old area of Seoul near the Gwangjang Market, Ojangdong Hamheung Naengmyeon (오장동함흥냉면) serves various naengmyeon with a spicy, cold, or warm broth.
It appears in the Michelin Guide since 2017, so the price is 2 to 3 usd higher than usual restaurant. Their dumplings are also popular among regulars.
Menu: Normal Naengmyeon with beef (14,000 won), Spicy Naengmyeon with fish (14,000 won), dumpling called “mandu” (10,000 won for 5)
Address: Seoul, Jung-gu, 108 Mareunnae-ro (서울특별시 중구 마른내로 108)
Information: Closed on public holidays, open every day from 11 am to 8 pm
10. Korean course menu 한정식 "Hanjeongsik" and fine dining
Luxurious Korean Food Setting
The traditional Korean full-course meal is called Hanjeongsik (한정식). This is another way of enjoying traditional Korean food with many side dishes. These restaurants need to be booked in advance and will cost at least 60 USD per guest. It is the perfect environment to invite the elderly, parents, and business partners. Some restaurants would have private room options as well.
The restaurant Gyeongbokgung Gwanhun (경복궁 관훈점) is located near various points of interest and hotels. This is a popular franchise serving Korean courses menu with raw fish, grilled fish, Hanwoo barbecue, and so on. They are also in other areas of Seoul.
Menu: Korean traditional course (60,000 won per person), Traditional course with Hanwoo beef (95,000 won per person)
Address: Seoul, Gwahun-dong, Insadong 5-gil, basement B1 of AMID Hotel (서울특별시 종로구 인사동5길 38 센터마크호텔 B1)
Information: Open every day with no exception, from 11:30 am to 10 pm
The Korean Modern Cuisine
Korean food has expanded worldwide. Indeed, you might have your favorite local Korean restaurant in your country. With the development of cooking techniques and higher demands for refined dining, new chefs specialize in modern Korean cuisine.
There is no way to generalize the chefs’ creations or techniques. But, it is interesting to emphasize their desire to work around the traditional Korean dishes mentioned in this article with their knowledge. Generally, the course menu changes according to the ingredients seasonality, and restaurant concept. It is most likely that a dish containing Hanwoo, premium Korean beef, will be on the menu. The pricing could go from 60 USD for lunch to 200 USD for dinner.
How To Find Fine Dining Restaurant In Korea?
To find and book special occasions meals at fine dining restaurants or only-reservation tables restaurants. There is a mobile application called Catch Table. It will only book the restaurant with a pre-paid international system. So, tourists can also enjoy a meal at these private places.
11. Korean Traditional Tea house 전통찻집 "Jeontongcha-jib"
Traditional Korean Tea Experience
Lastly, enjoy traditional Korean tea and desserts in a tea house. Tea traditions and rites were passed down long before in the royal family and aristocracy with Buddhism influence. Tea is known to aid meditation and sharpen the mind. Therefore, its consumption is associated with nature, harmony, and peace. The beauty of Tea houses makes this experience even more pleasant.
Located in the famous Hanok Village of Seoul, this tea house called Cha-teul (차마시는뜰) is well-known for its tea with a mountain view. There are different seats in this hanok-style house. Most of them are on-the-ground seatings. The music played is very calm.
We visited this place back in the spring 2022 with Chahinez in a vlog. The tea menu is well explained, with many flower tea options. Have a pleasant tea time with scenic walks there!
If you go in summer, bingsu shaved ice will be available. In wintertime, try strawberries, they are in season during winter in South Korea.
Menu: Flower & nut teas (11,000-8,000 won), Korean desserts (15,000-6,000 won)
Address: Seoul, Jongno-gu, 26 Bukchon-ro 11na-gil (서울특별시 종로구 북촌로11나길 26)
Information: Closed on Mondays and public holidays, open from 12 pm to 9 pm
Which Korean Tea Should I Try?
Famous Korean tea often served apart from tea leaves are the Omija-cha (오미자차, a magnolia berry tea, sweet fruity and beautiful light red color), the Ogwa-cha (오과차, a tea made of jujube, walnut, ginkgo, persimmon, and chestnuts), the Ssuk-cha (쑥차, a mugwort tea with earthiness similar to a matcha tea) and the Maehwa-cha (매화차, a plum flower tea with a sweet scent).
Traditional Korean Dessert
The Korean Tea houses integrated classic Korean desserts as well with the consumption of tea being generalized among the population. Traditional Korean desserts called hangwa (한과) are also used during celebrations platting, such as Gangjeong 강정 (a honey rice puff cracker), and Tteok (a glutinous rice cake) would be served with injeolmi (soybean powder) or red bean paste. Bingsu (garnished shaved ice) is also a traditional Korean dessert eaten in summer that you could find in a Korean tea house.
New trend
In 2023, the traditional deep-fried honey-based Korean cake called Yakgwa (약과) is trending among the youth in Korea. Many cafes now have one dessert with a pretty Yakgwa cake topping.
12. Korean shaved ice dessert 빙수 "Bingsu"
Korean Most-Loved Dessert
Bingsu is the trendiest Korean dessert and is eaten all year long. Winter is known for its juiciest strawberry toppings. Summer will have mango, melon, or green grapes (shine muscats). Red bean with injeolmi, or green tea with rice cakes, are perfect combos for spring and fall vibes.
Back in history, this dessert was only served to royals and nobles as the ice was difficult to get in summer. Contrary to other’s food cultures, the Korean shaved ice dessert is generally served with condensed milk on the side.
Cafe Coin (코인) is located in Myeongdong. They are very popular for their bingsu and waffles. They even opened a second shop in the same area of Seoul with a beautiful interior.
In winter, strawberries are in season up to April. There will always be a fruit option, but you could also try traditional Injeolmi Bingsu or the Green tea bingsu.
Menu: Bingsu (13,000 to 15,000 won), waffle and cakes (around 7,000won), beverage (6,000 to 8,000 won)
Address: Seoul, Jung-gu, 54-20 Myeong-dong 2(i)-ga (서울특별시 중구 명동2가 54-20)
Information: Open every day with no exception, from 10 am to 11:30 pm
Some final words from the writer
This food guide is only complete with the help of my fellow gourmet travelers visiting South Korea. And, locals when asked: “Which Korean food would they recommend to someone whose food cultures differ?”. Please share your personal experience of those places if you visited them. It keeps the guide up-to-date. More food posts will come next on this website, and thank you for reading.
Do you have a suggestion to improve this article? Is there an issue or anything to correct? Help us make it right by sending a mail to support@adaysophie.com, thank you!
