A Guide to Korean Food for Foreigners - 10 Recommendations

A Guide to Korean Food for Foreigners
Korean food is gaining global popularity for its rich flavors and diverse culinary methods. Boasting a deep umami taste, Korean cuisine is not only healthy but also visually appealing, offering aesthetic pleasure. This guide introduces representative Korean dishes that foreigners should definitely try in Korea, recommended restaurants, and insider tips known only to locals.

1. Top 10 Must-Try Dishes in Korea

1) Kimchi – Korea's representative fermented food

Kimchi, an indispensable part of the Korean table, is a traditional food made by fermenting various vegetables such as cabbage and radish with salt, red pepper powder, and seafood젓갈.

✅ Recommended Kimchi Types
• Napa Cabbage Kimchi – The most common basic Korean kimchi
• Kkakdugi – A crunchy kimchi made from diced radish
• Baechu Kimchi – A mild kimchi made without red pepper powder

Local Tip:
• Kimchi develops a deeper flavor as it ferments, so using aged kimchi in stews or fried rice makes them even more delicious!

2) Samgyetang – A nutritious and popular health food

Samgyetang is a chicken dish simmered with ginseng, jujubes, garlic, and other ingredients, and is often consumed during the summer "bok" days.

✅ Recommended Samgyetang Restaurants
• Tosokchon Samgyetang (near Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul) – Features tender chicken and a rich broth
• Gangwonjeong (Haeundae, Busan) – Special samgyetang with added seafood broth

Local Tip:
• Enjoying a shot of ginseng wine with your samgyetang enhances the overall flavor experience!

3) Korean BBQ – Grilled meat dishes

Korean BBQ, featuring various pork and beef cuts like samgyeopsal, galbi, and moksal, grilled at the table, is one of the most popular Korean dishes among foreigners.

✅ Recommended Korean BBQ Types
• Samgyeopsal – The representative menu of Korean BBQ
• Galbi – Sweet and savory marinated beef ribs
• Chadolbagi – Thinly sliced beef, cooked quickly

Local Tip:
• Samgyeopsal tastes even better when wrapped in lettuce with ssamjang (fermented soybean paste), garlic, and other vegetables!

2. Regional Specialties of Korea

1) Seoul – A culinary city where tradition and modernity blend

Seoul, a city inhabited by people from diverse regions, offers a wide range of culinary experiences, from traditional Korean dishes to modern fusion cuisine.

✅ Recommended Dishes
• Seolleongtang – Seoul's representative soup, made with a rich and deep beef bone broth
• Bulgogi – Korean BBQ with a sweet soy sauce marinade
• Gwangjang Market Bindae-tteok – Crispy and savory traditional pancakes

Local Tip:
• Namdaemun Market and Gwangjang Market offer traditional food at affordable prices!

2) Gangwon-do – Healthy food from nature

Gangwon-do, a region where mountains and sea meet, is known for its light dishes and fresh seafood.

✅ Recommended Dishes
• Gamja Ongsimi – Gangwon-do's representative dish, chewy noodles made from grated potatoes
• Chodang Tofu – Soft tofu made using Gangneung's traditional methods
• Hwangtaegui – Dried and grilled pollack, a savory and delicious dish

Local Tip:
• Chodang Tofu Village in Gangneung offers a variety of tofu dishes!

3) Gyeongsang-do – A feast of deep and rich flavors

Gyeongsang-do is a region with a developed cuisine characterized by salty and rich flavors, offering some of Korea's most popular seafood and soup dishes.

✅ Recommended Dishes
• Andong Jjimdak – A chicken dish braised in a spicy and sweet soy sauce
• Daegu Makchang – Chewy and savory grilled intestines
• Pohang Mulhoe – A delicacy combining fresh seafood and a tangy and sweet broth

Local Tip:
• Seomun Market in Daegu and Andong's Gusijang offer local-style jjimdak and makchang!

4) Busan – Fresh seafood dishes

Busan, being close to the sea, offers a wide variety of seafood dishes.

✅ Recommended Dishes
• Busan Milmyeon – Characterized by its refreshing broth and chewy noodles
• Hoeguksu – A delicacy combining spicy seasoning and fresh raw fish
• Dwaejigukbap – Pork soup with a rich and deep broth

Local Tip:
• Jagalchi Market in Busan offers fresh live seafood at affordable prices!

5) Jeolla-do – The land of taste

Jeolla-do is a region with a wide variety of Korean dishes, characterized by their deep flavors.

✅ Recommended Dishes
• Jeonju Bibimbap – Korea's representative dish, combining gochujang (Korean chili paste) and various seasoned vegetables
• Gwangju Tteokgalbi – Delicious for its sweet and soft texture
• Naju Gomtang – A light and clean soup dish

Local Tip:
• In Jeonju's Hanok Village, you can taste bibimbap made using traditional methods!

6) Jeju Island – Healthy food from nature

Jeju Island, thanks to its clean natural environment, is famous for its fresh seafood and local products.

✅ Recommended Dishes
• Black Pork (Heukdwaeji) – Special pork you can only taste in Jeju
• Hanchi Mulhoe – A dish made with fresh cuttlefish in a cold broth
• Okdomgui – Salt-grilled fish caught in the Jeju Sea

Local Tip:
• Jeju Island's traditional markets have many restaurants where you can grill black pork yourself!

3. Recommended Korean Street Food

Street food is one of the indispensable joys of traveling in Korea. It's not only cheap and quick to eat, but it's also the best way to experience Korea's unique flavors and culture. It's easily found in night markets and tourist areas, and many places operate late at night, making it a convenient meal option during your travels.

✅ Top 7 Must-Try Street Foods
• Tteokbokki – A representative snack where chewy rice cakes and a spicy and sweet sauce harmonize
• There are various types, and in addition to basic tteokbokki, variations such as rose tteokbokki, cheese tteokbokki, and jjajang tteokbokki are also popular!
• Recommended places: Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town, Myeongdong, Hongdae Night Market
• Hotteok – A popular winter snack, a crispy bread with sweet syrup
• In addition to traditional hotteok with honey and nuts, modern hotteok variations with green tea, cheese, and black sesame are also popular!
• Recommended places: Insadong Traditional Market, Gwangjang Market
• Sundae – Korean sausage containing glutinous rice and noodles
• There are various styles, from basic sundae dipped in simple salt to stir-fried sundae with plenty of seasoning!
• Recommended places: Namdaemun Market, Mapo Gongdeok Market
• Bungeoppang & Gukhwapang – Korean crispy pancakes with red bean paste
• Easily found on the streets in winter, and nowadays various variations with cream such as custard cream, cheese, and green tea cream have also emerged!
• Recommended places: Daehak-ro, Hongdae, Myeongdong
• Hotdog (K-Korea Hotdog) – Korean hotdog topped with cheese and various toppings
• Characterized by crispy fried batter and chewy glutinous rice dough, various styles such as potato hotdog, cheese hotdog, and buldak hotdog are popular!
• Recommended places: Myeongdong, Gangnam Station, Seoul Station food truck street
• Gyeranppang – A warm winter snack with an egg yolk on top of soft bread
• Rich and satisfying flavor, a representative street food commonly seen in Korean winter markets
• Recommended places: Namdaemun Market, Busan International Market
• Fried Squid & Fish Cake – Crispy and light fried squid and fish cake soup
• Crispy fried food and warm fish cake soup are a perfect combination, especially popular in cold weather!
• Recommended places: Busan International Market, Gwangjang Market

Local Tip:
• Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Namdaemun Market are the best places to try Korean street food!
• Street food can be paid for with cash or card, but some stalls only accept cash, so it's good to have some small bills on hand!
• Not only in Seoul, but also in Busan's BIFF Square, Jeonju's Hanok Village, and Jeju's Dongmun Market, you can enjoy street food with regional characteristics!

What Korean food are you most excited to try?