Must-Try Foods When You Visit Korea!
1. Kimchi 🥬 김치
Kimchi is a must-try when you're in Korea. It's a fermented dish made mainly with cabbage or radish, mixed with chili pepper, garlic, ginger, and sometimes seafood for a little kick.
- What makes it special: It’s packed with probiotics that are great for your digestion.
- Varieties: You’ve got napa cabbage kimchi, radish kimchi (called “kkakdugi”), and even a non-spicy version called “baek kimchi.”
- How to eat it: It’s a side dish for pretty much every meal, but it’s also used in stews like kimchi jjigae and even fried rice!
2. Bibimbap 🍚 비빔밥
Bibimbap is a bowl of mixed rice with a bunch of different veggies, meat, and an egg, all topped with spicy gochujang (Korean chili paste).
- What makes it special: It’s a balanced, nutritious dish with a little bit of everything.
- Main ingredients: Rice, spinach, mushrooms, carrots, beef, and egg. You mix it all up with gochujang and sesame oil.
- Regional variations:
- Jeonju bibimbap – with extra ingredients like raw beef and special sauces.
- Dolsot bibimbap – served in a hot stone bowl, so the rice gets crispy on the bottom.
3. Bulgogi 🥩 불고기
Bulgogi is marinated beef that’s grilled or stir-fried. It’s sweet, savory, and packed with flavor.
- What makes it special: It’s tender and juicy, with a sweet-savory marinade made from soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil.
- How to eat it: Eat it with rice or wrap it in lettuce leaves with some garlic and ssamjang (thick, spicy paste).
4. Samgyeopsal 🍖 삼겹살
Samgyeopsal is the Korean BBQ classic. Thick cuts of pork belly are grilled right at your table.- What makes it special: It’s all about grilling the meat yourself and enjoying it hot and fresh.
- How to eat it: Grill the pork belly, then dip it in sesame oil and salt, and wrap it in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang, and chili. You can even dip it in a bit of kimchi for that extra kick!
5. Tteokbokki 🌶️ 떡볶이
Tteokbokki is one of the most popular street foods in Korea. It’s chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce.- What makes it special: The chewy texture of the rice cakes and the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
- Main ingredients: Gochujang, rice cakes, fish cakes (eomuk), boiled eggs.
- How to eat it: Grab a skewer of fish cake and dip it in the spicy sauce – perfect for snacking on the go!
6. Kimchi Jjigae 🍲 김치찌개
Kimchi jjigae is a hot and spicy stew made with kimchi and often pork, tofu, or tuna. It’s hearty and comforting.- What makes it special: It’s made with old, fermented kimchi, which gives the stew a deep, savory flavor.
- How to eat it: It’s typically served with rice, and you dip the rice in the stew or eat it on the side.
7. Doenjang Jjigae 🥣 된장찌개
Doenjang jjigae is a soybean paste stew, kind of like miso soup but with a richer, earthier flavor.- What makes it special: It’s made with fermented soybean paste, which gives it a very deep, umami taste.
- Main ingredients: Doenjang (fermented soybean paste), tofu, zucchini, mushrooms, and sometimes beef or pork.
- How to eat it: It’s typically served with rice and makes for a warming, comfort meal.
8. Galbi Jjim 🍖 갈비찜
Galbi jjim is a braised short rib dish. The meat is tender and falls off the bone, cooked in a rich, sweet-savory sauce.- What makes it special: The long braising time makes the beef super tender, and the sweet sauce balances out the rich flavor of the meat.
- Main ingredients: Beef short ribs, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and sometimes fruits like pear for added sweetness.
- How to eat it: It’s often served during holidays or special occasions with a side of rice.
9. Jeon 🥞 전
Jeon are savory pancakes, typically made with vegetables, meat, or seafood. They’re crispy on the outside and soft inside.- What makes it special: They're great for sharing with friends or family.
- Varieties:
- Kimchi jeon – made with kimchi for a spicy kick.
- Pajeon – with green onions and sometimes seafood.
- Hobak jeon – made with zucchini slices.
- How to eat it: Dip them in soy sauce or just enjoy them on their own. They’re often served with a drink like makgeolli (Korean rice wine).
10. Naengmyeon 🍜 냉면
Naengmyeon is cold noodles in a chilled broth, perfect for hot weather. There are two main types: one with a tangy beef broth and one with a spicy sauce.- What makes it special: It’s refreshing, cold, and super satisfying, especially in summer.
- Main ingredients: Thin noodles made from buckwheat or sweet potato starch, served in a cold, sometimes icy broth.
- How to eat it: Add some vinegar and mustard to adjust the flavor, and enjoy slurping it up!
These are just some of the iconic Korean dishes! They’re all full of flavors and textures that make Korean food so unique and fun to eat. Which one do you think you’d like to try first?