9 Must-Try Korean Dishes for Foreign Tourists

Top 9 Korean Dishes Recommended by Foreigners: A Must-Eat Guide for Your Trip to Korea

Korea boasts a globally beloved food culture. For foreigners traveling to Korea, Korean food becomes a significant part of their travel experience. Korean cuisine itself embodies rich history and culture; one bite allows you to feel the traditions and sentiment of Korea.

If you're visiting Korea, there are certain dishes you absolutely must try. From traditional Korean flavors to dishes with a modern twist, we're introducing the top 9 Korean dishes loved by foreigners. Each dish has a unique taste, faithfully conveying Korea's unique flavors and cooking methods. We'll also guide you to recommended restaurants where you can fully enjoy each menu. This will be the perfect guide to experiencing the true taste of Korea.

Through this article, we'll introduce the essence of Korean cuisine that you shouldn't miss during your trip to Korea, along with restaurant recommendations. Kimchi jjigae, Bulgogi, Bibimbap—dishes with unique regional characteristics await you, making your Korean journey even more special.

1. Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) – The Soul Food of Koreans

Kimchi jjigae is one of the most common stew dishes in Korea, characterized by its deep and rich flavor using fermented kimchi. It contains pork, tofu, and vegetables, and its spicy and savory broth is a delight.
✅ How to enjoy it: Mixing the generous broth with steamed rice is the ultimate meal!
✅ Recommended Restaurant: Gwanghwamun Jip in Jongno – A long-standing restaurant famous for its deep and rich kimchi jjigae
💡 Local Tip: The spiciness can be strong, so if it’s your first time, you can request it to be ‘less spicy’!

2. Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) – The Leading Representative of Korean BBQ

Samgyeopsal, one of Korea's representative charcoal-grilled dishes! Thick slices of pork belly are grilled directly over charcoal or a grill. It’s even more delicious when wrapped in lettuce with ssamjang (fermented soybean paste), garlic, and sliced scallions.
✅ How to enjoy it: Wrap samgyeopsal + garlic + ssamjang + sliced scallions in lettuce and enjoy in one bite!
✅ Recommended Restaurant: Yuksam Naengmyeon in Hongdae – A place where you can enjoy samgyeopsal and naengmyeon (cold noodles) together
💡 Local Tip: When eating samgyeopsal, ordering ‘doenjang jjigae’ (fermented soybean stew) makes it even more delicious!

3. Bulgogi (불고기) – Korean food with the charm of sweet soy sauce seasoning

Bulgogi, tender beef marinated in a sweet soy sauce and grilled, is a Korean dish loved by people of all ages. It's also a representative menu recommended for foreigners who find spicy food difficult.
✅ How to enjoy it: Mix it with rice or enjoy it as a bulgogi burger
✅ Recommended Restaurant: Gogung in Insadong – A Korean restaurant with delicious traditional bulgogi
💡 Local Tip: Adding glass noodles to bulgogi makes it even more delicious!

4. Bibimbap (비빔밥) – Healthy Korean food in one bowl

Bibimbap is one of Korea's representative dishes, a dish where various seasoned vegetables, meat, egg, and gochujang (Korean chili paste) are mixed together. It’s well-balanced nutritionally and is popular with foreigners.
✅ How to enjoy it: Adjust the amount of gochujang to your liking when mixing!
✅ Recommended Restaurant: Hangukgwan in Jeonju – A famous place to taste traditional Jeonju bibimbap
💡 Local Tip: Ordering dolsot bibimbap (bibimbap served in a hot stone bowl) allows you to enjoy the crispy bottom!

5. Dak Galbi (닭갈비) – Spicy stir-fried chicken dish on a hot plate

Dak galbi! Chicken and vegetables marinated in a spicy gochujang sauce are stir-fried on a hot plate. Chuncheon is its origin, and adding cheese makes it even more delicious.
✅ How to enjoy it: Be sure to add fried rice at the end!
✅ Recommended Restaurant: Myeongdong Dak Galbi in Chuncheon – The original dak galbi restaurant
💡 Local Tip: Stir-frying rice with the remaining sauce makes for the best finish!

6. Tteokbokki (떡볶이) – The epitome of Korean street food

Tteokbokki, chewy rice cakes stir-fried in a spicy and sweet gochujang sauce, is one of the most popular street foods in Korea. Various toppings can be added.
✅ How to enjoy it: It’s even more delicious with fried food and fish cakes!
✅ Recommended Restaurant: Mabokrim Grandma’s Tteokbokki in Sindang-dong – The origin of instant tteokbokki
💡 Local Tip: If you find the spiciness overwhelming, we recommend ‘rose tteokbokki’!

7. Gamjatang (감자탕) – Deep and rich pork back-bone soup

Gamjatang is a soup made by simmering pork backbones, characterized by its spicy and deep flavor. It's also famous as a hangover cure.
✅ How to enjoy it: Mixing the remaining broth with rice makes it even more delicious.
✅ Recommended Restaurant: Mapo Gamjatang in Jongno – Famous for its gamjatang and bone soup
💡 Local Tip: Adding perilla seeds to gamjatang adds a nutty flavor!

8. Sundubu Jjigae (순두부찌개) – Soft tofu and spicy broth

Sundubu jjigae is a traditional Korean stew where soft tofu and spicy broth harmonize. Adding an egg makes it smoother.
✅ How to enjoy it: Eat with steamed rice and enjoy the soup!
✅ Recommended Restaurant: Seoul Sundubu in Gangnam – A restaurant with various sundubu jjigae
💡 Local Tip:If you find the spiciness overwhelming, we recommend ‘baeksundubu jjigae’ (white sundubu jjigae)!

9. Samgyetang (삼계탕) – A traditional Korean dish loved as a health food

Samgyetang, famous as a health food in summer, is a nutritious dish made by simmering a whole chicken with ginseng, jujubes, and glutinous rice.
✅ How to enjoy it: Adjust the seasoning with salt or pepper
✅ Recommended Restaurant: Tosokchon Samgyetang in Jongno – The most famous samgyetang restaurant in Seoul
💡 Local Tip: Enjoying a glass of ginseng wine after eating samgyetang is even better!

Top 9 Korean Dishes Recommended by Foreigners & Restaurant Guide

When foreigners visit Korea, what makes the experience even more special is Korean food. Korean food captivates people with its taste and flavor, but the history and culture behind it leave an even deeper impression on those who experience it with the food. Korea's kimchi jjigae, bulgogi, bibimbap, samgyeopsal, and dak galbi are not just simple foods; they contain the identity and traditions of Korea.
Foreigners traveling to Korea can experience these dishes firsthand at local restaurants, feeling the unique atmosphere and charm of Korea. Each region has its unique flavors and dishes, so trying various foods during your travels and discovering the true taste of Korea will be a great pleasure in itself.

Now, let's embark on a journey with 9 must-try Korean dishes and matching restaurant recommendations. Are you ready for a special trip where you can experience the essence of Korean food and feel the rich history and sentiment within? Traveling in Korea is not just about eating delicious food, but also an opportunity to encounter new cultures and experiences. Embark on your own Korean food journey and truly savor the real taste of Korea.