Food in south korea you have to try
If you are planning to visit South Korea and are curious about what to eat there, check out our list of Must-Have South Korean foods! Most of the food in South Korea comes with a spicy kick, so this list is even more important for those who can’t handle spiciness, so you know what to watch out for. Discover the best food in South Korea to make the most of your culinary adventure.
What is Korean cuisine?
Korean food is all about rice, vegetables, and meat. Meals usually start with a variety of small side dishes called banchan, and kimchi is almost always served. For a true taste of Must-Have South Korean Food, explore the seasonality of Korean cuisine, as it changes with spring, summer, autumn, and winter. This means ingredients taste different depending on the time of year, adding variety to dishes.
Common ingredients in Korean cooking include sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, gochujang (fermented red chili paste), gochugaru (chili flakes), doenjang (fermented bean paste), and napa cabbage.
Korean meals focus on variety and balance, with lots of vegetables and proteins like beef, chicken, and pork. Fish and shellfish are also popular because Korea is surrounded by seas.
1. Gogi-gui (Korean BBQ)
Korean BBQ, locally called Gogi-gui, is a must-have South Korean food that involves grilling meat such as chicken, beef, or pork on charcoal grills in the center of a table. The BBQ dishes are prepared in many ways, whether marinated or not. The most popular types of Korean BBQ are Bulgogi and Galbi. The meat is typically cut into thin slices and accompanied by a sauce and rice. It’s some of the best South Korean food you’ll experience.
2. Chi-maek (Chicken and Beer)
Every country has a signature dish, and one could say that Korea’s chicken and beer is a must-have South Korean food! This classic is central to Korean food culture, as the beer complements its spicy chicken counterpart. It’s a great example of common Korean food that you’ll want to try.
3. Bingsu
Bingsu is a famous Korean shaved ice dessert and a must-have South Korean food with an assortment of toppings including cereal flakes, red bean paste, condensed milk, fruit syrup, and fruit cocktail. What’s interesting about this dessert is that the ice used for it is not made of water but actually from frozen milk. The ice is shaved finely which gives the feeling of tasting snow made of milk. This dessert is complete once it is drizzled with a sweet sauce or matcha syrup.
4. Tteokbokki
5. Kimchi
One of the most popular Korean dishes is Kimchi, which is spicy fermented vegetables that are served with traditional meals all over Korea. It is usually made from cabbage and radishes. There are more than 100 varieties of this dish available. It is a spicy and slightly sour fermented side dish that is known for having several health benefits. For Koreans, dinner is usually considered incomplete if Kimchi is not on the menu. It’s a staple of Korean food that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
5. Bibimbap
Full of flavor and a variety of ingredients, Bibimbap is one of the most popular Korean dishes that can be found. Bibimbap is a bowl of rice topped with namul (different seasoned and sautéed vegetables), beef, mushrooms, and comes with a fried egg. All these things are tossed in gochujang (Korean chili paste) to create a flavorful and savory combination. This Korean fried rice gives distinctly flavored bites and is becoming more popular across the world.
7. Kimbap
Kimbap or Gimbap is a Korean version of Japanese sushi. It consists of rice rolled with different kinds of fillings, from pickled radish, spinach, and carrots to beef, fish cakes, and sliced omelets. All these are wrapped in dried seaweed and eaten like a sandwich. It has a stronger taste than its Japanese counterpart.
8. Bulgogi
A popular Korean treat, Bulgogi is a savory dish consisting of grilled, thinly-sliced beef, garlic, sliced onion, sugar, soy sauce, and paste of Korean pears. According to CNN Travel Reader’s poll in 2011, Bulgogi was ranked as the 23rd most tasty dish worldwide. It is often served with rice or wrapped in lettuce with different toppings of sliced vegetables, onions, bean sprouts, and kimchi. This is my personal favorite.
9. Hotteok
Thought to be the sweeter version of a Western pancake, Hotteok or Heoddeok is popular Korean street food, served especially during the Winter season. It is a flat, circular dough filled with a combination of brown sugar, peanuts, honey, and brown sugar. Cooked on the griddle, it has a crunchy exterior but is completely soft on the inside.
10. Japchae
Usually served as a side dish during a meal, japchae is a sweet potato noodle dish that is made with stir-fried vegetables and thinly sliced beef. These are a bit sweet and often garnished with sesame seeds.
11. Ganjang Gejang
Many Koreans consider ganjang gejang the ultimate Korean dish. It’s raw crab marinated in soy sauce. Crabs are salted, then soaked in a sauce of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili paste, which is repeatedly boiled and poured over them. Served cold, ganjang gejang is delicious, especially with steamed rice.
12. Jajangmyeon
Jajangmyeon is a popular Korean-Chinese dish with thick noodles and a savory sauce made from sweet bean paste, soy sauce, pork, and vegetables. It was created in the early 20th-century Incheon and is now celebrated at the Jajangmyeon Museum. It’s also linked to Black Day on April 14, when singles eat jajangmyeon to cheer themselves up if they didn’t receive gifts on Valentine’s or White Day. It’s one of the best Korean dishes to try.
13. Makgeolli
Makgeolli is a traditional Korean drink made from rice or wheat with a fermentation starter. It’s milky white and has a sweet, tangy taste. Korea’s oldest alcoholic beverage, it was once popular among farmers.
13. Mandu
Mandu are Korean dumplings that can be steamed, boiled, fried, or deep-fried. They’re like Japanese gyoza and are usually served with kimchi and a dipping sauce. Originally a royal dish, mandu is now popular at restaurants, food stalls, and supermarkets throughout Korea.
14. Naengmyeon
Naengmyeon is a Korean dish with long, thin noodles. While it’s usually made from buckwheat, it can also be made with ingredients like potatoes or sweet potatoes. Originally from North Korea, it became popular across Korea after the Korean War.
Naengmyeon is served in a big stainless-steel bowl with a tangy iced broth, julienned cucumbers, Korean pear, pickled radish, and sometimes a boiled egg or slices of cold beef. It’s eaten without cutting the noodles, symbolizing a wish for a long life and good health.
15. Bossam
Bossam is a Korean dish made from thinly sliced pork, usually pork shoulder, cooked in a broth with spices like star anise, ginger, garlic, and soybean paste. It’s served with sides like raw garlic, kimchi, and salted shrimp, and eaten by wrapping the pork and sides in lettuce or perilla leaves.
Bossam is often enjoyed with alcohol like soju or beer and is known as a popular anju dish. The photo shows a platter of bossam and jokbal (pork trotters) from Manjok Ohyang Jokbal in Seoul.
Conclusion
Exploring South Korean food is a tasty adventure full of exciting flavors and traditions. Whether you’re visiting South Korea or trying Korean food at home, you’ll discover new and delicious experiences. Enjoy the journey and savor the unique tastes that make the cuisine of South Korea special. Have fun eating and exploring!
