Top Must-Eat Korean Dishes
Food is undoubtedly a big part of what makes Korea such a fun destination. Fermented sauces like gochujang (red bean paste), doenjang (soybean paste), and ganjang (soy sauce) make up the bulk of the sauces and seasonings along with sides like kimchi and namul made from plants, wild greens, and leftover stems of vegetables. Common dishes include rice and noodles as well as soups and stews.
Elements of Korean cuisine like bibimbap, bulgogi, and kimchi are widely known, but many regional dishes feature local ingredients and a variety of preparation methods. This list includes some of the most common dishes in daily life. For a full traditional course meal, head to a hanjeongsik restaurant. The most famous ones are in Seoul, as these establishments are a continuation of royal court cuisine, as featured on the popular TV show Jewel in the Palace.
Galbi
Galbi is a marinated beef barbecue grilled at the table. Marinated chicken is dakgalbi; marinated pork ribs is dwaejigalbi.
Jjigae
Expect a bubbling hot stew served in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot), including kimchi jjigae (fermented cabbage stew) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew).
Jorim
Delicious braised dishes like galchi jorim (braised beltfish) and dubu jorim (braised tofu) are eaten with rice and sides (banchan).
Maeuntang
Maeuntang is a spicy fish stew that you can find at the famous Jagalchi Market in Busan.
Naengmyeon
A great summer dish consisting of cold chewy noodles served in chilled broth.
Hoe
Pronounced “hweh”, hoe is raw fish served with gochujang or soy sauce.
Guksu
Guksu comprises of noodles with many variants and dishes, including makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) and kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup).
Gukbap
This a flavorful rice soup, such as dwaeji gukbap (pork rice soup).
Japchae
Japchae is stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables.
Among locals, greetings are often exchanged with the typical “Have you eaten?” indicating the importance of food to the historically poor nation. Of course, the sheer number of restaurants in the country today, as well as an endless variety of local dishes, make the place the ultimate food lover’s paradise.
From the skyscrapers of Seoul to the beaches of Busan, South Korea is a country unlike any other. Seoul writer Loni Kim shows you how to get to know it like a local with Moon South Korea. Inside you’ll find:
- Flexible itineraries, whether you’ve got ten days to explore the best of the country or a shorter trip staying in Seoul
- Local flavors: Sample K-BBQ or Korean fried chicken in Seoul, try tteokbokki or kimbap at the food stalls in Gwangjang Market, or feast on fresh seafood in Jeju Island.
- Cultural experiences like a temple stay, renting a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) to wear while visiting palaces and traditional villages, taking a taekwondo (Korean martial arts) class, or visiting popular K-drama filming locations
- Outdoor adventures like hiking Hallasan, a dormant volcano and the tallest mountain in South Korea, surfing Songjeong Beach in Busan, or taking in panoramic views from the Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car
- Exploring history through touring the DMZ and looking out at North Korea from the Odusan Observatory, or traveling back in time to the ancient city of Gyeongju
- The best of Seoul’s shopping and nightlife: sing your heart out at a noraebang (singing room) in Gangnam, shop at K-beauty stores in Myeongdong, or browse traditional Korean crafts, antiques, and tea houses of the Insadong neighborhood.
- Full-color photos and detailed mapsthroughout
- Reliable background information on the landscape, customs and etiquette, and history
Expanding your trip? Try Moon Japan
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