Travel. Food. South Korea.

15 Mouth-watering Foods You Can’t Miss in South Korea

A guide to the top Korean dishes from someone who’s eaten their way around the country

Before I moved to South Korea, I was a very different person. I had never tried or even heard of any Korean food. I wasn’t a big fan of rice (Korea’s saying is, “It’s not a meal without rice.”) I couldn’t handle anything hot, and I was terrified of a mere molecule of chili. I fully expected to hate it. Living in Busan was somewhat of a baptism of fire! I learned that tolerance isn’t something that you have or you haven’t. It’s something you can build and practice. I’m so glad that I did because it’s now one of my all-time favourite cuisines, with unique flavours that I could talk about it all damn day.

I want to introduce some of my all-time favourites from living and traveling in South Korea for a year and a half. Here’s a guide to some classic Korean dishes that you can’t miss.

1. Kimchi (Spicy, Fermented Napa Cabbage)

Kimchi is at the heart of Korean cooking. It is listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. It is usually served cold as a side dish with every meal. It is also used as a base for many soups and stews (we will get to those later). I often find that I try to explain this side dish to people, and they will wrinkle their nose, but then they try it and love it. It is fermented, spicy, tangy cabbage. Are you still with me? I hope so! Everyone argues that their grandmother makes the best Kimchi, and many families have a separate fridge dedicated to making it.

2. Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi stew)

This, for me, is the kimchi holy grail. This sweet, sour, and spicy stew made from Kimchi, pork belly and Korean hot pepper with tofu cooking in the stew is a staple.

3. Korean BBQ

It would be criminal not to mention Korean BBQ. Sweet, simple, and so, so good. Cuts of marinated spicy pork or soy, garlic beef (bulgogi) or sticky ribs (LA galbi), or streaky belly pork (samgyeopsal-gui). BBQ at your table with your friends, the grill is set in the middle, and you even have your own extractor fan. Bring on the side dishes: Puffed up steamed egg in a cauldron, spicy bean sprouts and lettuce, Kimchi (of course), pots of sticky rice, and kimchi jjigae (a sour, spicy stew). It’s a very sociable meal, where everything is in the middle and shared. Cheers to a great evening with soju shots (yes, shots with dinner!), the national drink, clear alcohol drank neat, not for the faint-hearted.

4. Sundubu jjigae (Spicy Soft Tofu Stew)

Sundubu jjigae is a rich, warm, spicy broth similar to Kimchi Jjigae but with soft tofu, clams and a soft boiled egg. It’s all bubbling away in a cauldron, and I feel comforted just at the thought of it.

5. Yangnyeom-tongdak (Korean Fried Chicken)

We would often joke that we were going out for a KFC, no, not the Kentucky kind, I’m talking about Korean Fried Chicken. There are unique fried chicken joints like bars that serve fried chicken with your beer. It’s coated with a sweet, sour, spicy sauce, and it is incredible.

6. Dakjjim (Braised chicken with vegetables)

I can’t talk about this dish for too long, or I might swoon and faint. It is a sticky, sweet, braised chicken dish with glass noodles. This is in a mixed oyster and soy sauce made rich and sticky with sesame oil, dark brown sugar, and green chili.

7. Pajeon (Spring onion/seafood/kimchi pancakes)

Before, I only thought of pancakes with sugar and lemon or maple syrup or banana and Nutella. Savory? Pah! Who would WASTE a pancake on savory? But Korea, you showed me the light. Gooey, green onion pancakes, tangy, kimchi pancakes, or kimchi pancakes with CHEESE! Wash it down with flavoured makkoli (milky rice wine), kiwi, banana, or apricot flavour, which tastes like an alcoholic smoothie. I’m pretty sure there are makkoli and pajeon bars in heaven.

8. Tteokbokki (Spicy rice cakes)

Tteokbokki tastes different at every restaurant you have it. They all have their spin on it, which makes it a fun dish to order out. It’s also quite a popular street food. Chewy rice cakes in a hot, spicy sauce. Not only the ultimate comfort food but also the ultimate carb.

9. Jjampong (Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup)

For seafood lovers, this seafood stew looks like you just raided the beach of clams, mussels and prawns. It also comes with a meat of your choice, tons of veggies and chewy noodles all in a steaming hot, spicy soup. Make sure you’re hungry for this one!

10. Gimbap (Seaweed Rice Rolls)

Forget sandwiches. Gimbap is what to have for lunch on the go. It’s quite similar to sushi, but the sticky rice is seasoned with sesame oil. The fillings can be whatever you like (tuna mayo, chicken curry, soy beef, veggies, etc.). It is all wrapped up in a sheet of dried seaweed and rolled up into a tube. This is then chopped up into bite-size pieces. Nom! Or you can get them super cheap in an adorable triangle package from convenience stores.

11. Galbi jjim (Braised Beef Short Ribs)

It is usually served on special occasions and for a good reason! It’s simply beautiful. It is a heavenly dish of sticky garlic and soy braised ribs with chestnuts, shitake mushrooms, and jujubes (similar to dates).

12. Dolset-Bibimbap (Mixed rice)

This is a very popular dish served in a hot stone bowl with cooked rice and sauteed vegetables, top with a soft yoked egg and hot pepper paste. The fun thing is that you are supposed to grab your chopsticks, stick them in the bowl and mix up all the flavours together.

13. Gunmadu (Korean style, fried dumplings)

These dumplings are enormous! They are stuffed with a wide variety of delicious flavous such as Kimchi, Pork, mixed veggies, and tofu. They come with a soy, chili dipping sauce.

14. Patbingsu (Shaved Ice with Sweet Red Beans and Fruit)

Patbingsu is shaved ice with sweet red beans, fruit, and syrup. It’s a simplified version of sorbet. I prefer simple bingsu with just fruit and no red bean (pat) as I’m not the biggest fan of sweet red beans. Korea’s had a slight obsession with red beans in desserts. I think there is no bigger disappointment than picking up a pastry thinking it has a chocolate filling, biting down, and oh no, it’s red bean paste! But you might disagree with me, why not give it a try?

15. Hotteok (sweet pancakes with brown sugar syrup)

Hotteok is the king of winter street food. It’s doughy, delicious, hot pockets of sunflower seeds, brown sugar syrup, rainbows, and unicorn tears. But don’t forget that you need to wait for the syrup to cool; otherwise, you’ll burn your tongue. These things get me through the winter.

I hope you enjoyed this list, and I’ve not only made you rather hungry but have inspired you to try some new dishes.

If you wan to try these recipes at home; my favourite Korean cookbook is Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking: Authentic Dishes for the Home Cook . (This is an affiliate link) Or head to your local Korean restaurant now you know the menu. Or, of course, check out these dishes on your next trip to South Korea!

Enjoy!

If you enjoy reading stories like these and want to support me as a writer, consider signing up to become a Medium Member. It’s $5 a month, giving you unlimited access to stories on Medium. If you sign up using my link, I’ll earn a small commission.

If you want updates when I post a new story, you can also subscribe!

If you would like more stories about South Korea please check out 👇

Georgina Nelson. Traveller. Writer. Photographer. Yoga teacher.

Sh*t Happens — because the things that go wrong make the funniest stories.

Sign up for our new newsletter to stay informed with up-to-date curations from our editors:👇