Top 10 Korean Dishes You Must Try When Visiting South Korea

You know that Korean food is popular and tasty. If you ever visit South Korea, try out these delicious dishes.

South Korea is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has beautiful natural scenery, a rich cultural history, and cutting-edge technology. It is a perfect country to add to your traveling bucket list.

There are many cities and towns you can visit like Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, etc. You can also visit various gardens, museums, and Korean drama filming locations.

Everything about South Korea is fascinating. Korean dramas depict the natural beauty and cities of the country. They also feature some tasty dishes that will make your mouth full of water.

Korean Dishes To Try

One of the most exciting things about South Korea is its food. Korean dishes are among the tastiest foods all over the world. Korean food may be sweet or spicy but it is always mouthwatering.

korean dishes to try in south korea

Korean dishes are mostly based on rice, vegetables, seafood, and meats. Most of the foods that you will find will contain vegetables with a lot of side dishes.

If you ever visit or are planning to visit South Korea, don’t miss out on the food. Here is the list of the best Korean dishes that you must try. You can find them in almost every corner of the country.

1. Kimchi

Kimchi is a popular Korean food that many people love all over the world. This traditional food is tasty because it has a unique mix of hot, sour, and salty tastes.

kimchi korean dish

It is made with cabbage, radishes, onions, and a paste of red chili pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce. The ingredients are prepared and stacked, then left to ferment for some time, so the flavors can grow stronger.

If you want to try kimchi in South Korea, you can find it at small food stands on the street, in restaurants, and shops. Many tourists try it because it’s popular and easy to find.

2. Japchae

Japchae is another Korean food that has many colors and tastes that go well together. It’s a dish made of stir-fried noodles that used to be eaten only by royalty but are now popular all over the world.

japchae korean dish

It also has meat like beef or pork and veggies like carrots, spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers. The starch used to make the noodles comes from sweet potatoes. It tastes both salty and sweet because it has soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.

You can find Japchae in many restaurants and street food stalls in South Korea. It’s often served as a side or with a meal at Korean BBQ places. You can even find them in local markets.

3. Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a delicious Korean food that has different tastes and textures mixed. This famous food represents Korean cooking with its bright colors and different ingredients.

bibimbap korean dish

It has rice and veggies like carrots, spinach, bean sprouts, and mushrooms.
It’s usually served with thin slices of marinated beef, a fried egg, and spicy gochujang sauce.

You can find Bibimbap in many places in South Korea, from street vendors to fancy restaurants. Big cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Jeonju are famous for their real bibimbap dishes.

4. Bulgogi

Bulgogi is one of the most famous must-try Korean food that many people enjoy. The dish is called “fire meat” and it’s grilled.

Bulgogi korean dish

Thin pieces of beef are marinated in soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and other spices. It’s cooked on a hot grill or pan, which makes the meat soft and juicy and gives it a sweet, spicy flavor.

You can find it in many places like Korean BBQ restaurants, street food stalls, and local eateries. You can easily find Bulgogi in cities such as Seoul and Busan.

5. Jjajangmyeon

Jjajangmyeon is a Korean dish that is made of thick noodles and black bean sauce. It’s rich history and unique flavor make it a beloved choice among people.

Jjajangmyeon korean dish

It has noodles, pork or beef, black bean paste, onions, and potatoes. The black bean sauce is made by cooking the ingredients together until they taste really good and become a thick sauce.

You can find Jjajangmyeon in many restaurants and street food stalls in South Korea. Seoul, Busan, and Incheon have many restaurants that serve this delicious dish.

6. Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is a Korean food that has chewy rice cakes and spicy sauce made of red pepper paste. It’s a popular Korean street food.

Tteokbokki korean dish

It has rice cakes, red pepper paste, soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and vegetables like cabbage and carrots. You can add more toppings like fish cakes, boiled eggs, and green onions.

You can buy it from street food stalls, markets, and Korean restaurants, also as Myeongdong in Seoul, Jagalchi Market in Busan, and Chinatown in Incheon.

7. Gimbap

Gimbap is a Korean food that has rice, veggies, and different fillings rolled together. It looks like sushi because it’s rolled, but it tastes and feels different.

gimbap korean dish

It is made of rice, radish, carrots, spinach, and egg, wrapped in seaweed. You can add beef, gammon, or fish cakes as extra fillings. This dish can be changed to fit different preferences.

Gimbap is everywhere in South Korea, from streets to stores and restaurants. People like to eat this food as a snack or a small meal. It is easy to eat and tastes good.

8. Samgyeopsal

Samgyeopsal is another popular dish in South Korea that is delicious and loved by both Korean people and tourists who visit the country.

samgyeopsal korean dish

It has thick slices of tasty pork belly that are grilled perfectly. It is usually eaten with different side dishes like lettuce, garlic, spicy sauce, and kimchi, which all taste great together.

If you want to eat Samgyeopsal in South Korea, you’re lucky! You can find this tasty food in many restaurants and street vendors all over the country.

9. Gamjatang

Gamjatang is a Korean food that tastes good and makes you feel cozy. It’s a soup made with pork bones, potatoes, and different veggies. It’s spicy and cooked perfectly.

gamjatang korean dish

The ingredients include pork bones, potatoes, onions, perilla leaves, green onions, and red chili pepper paste. They make a tasty and fulfilling meal that is healthy.

If you’re in South Korea and want to try Gamjatang, you can find it in traditional Korean restaurants and street food stalls.

10. Galbi

Galbi is a tasty Korean dish made of grilled meat. It has delicious flavors and is very tender. If you love food, you should try it to get a real taste of Korea.

galbi korean dish

Galbi is meat that is soaked in a sauce and usually comes from the ribs of a cow or pig. Soaking the meat in a tasty mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, olive oil, and other spices makes it soft.

Famous places to eat are Korean BBQ places, street food stands, and fancy restaurants. Good places to try Galbi in Seoul are Myeongdong, Itaewon, and Gangnam.

Wrapping Up

So, these were some of the recommended Korean dishes you should eat when you visit the country. They are good to enjoy with friends, family, and a bottle of soju.

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Hi! I'm Min Chae from South Korea. I love to watch Korean dramas in my free time and can talk about them for hours. My favorite actor is Gong Yoo :)

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