South Korea is a dynamic country that offers valuable innovations, technological advancements, and cultural heritage. South Korean food is particularly famous for its unique flavors and highly nutritious ingredients. Its local cuisine is a way to understand its traditions, cultural values, and lifestyle. Dishes like Kimchi, Bibimbap, Bulgogi, Jajangmyeonrk, Tteokbokki, etc., are perfect for a mesmerizing culinary experience.
Whether you are trying Korean food as a tourist or visiting any Korean food point, certain recipes should be on your list to explore. This article highlights all the top South Korean cuisines that are worth trying.
List of 10 Famous Foods in South Korea
Here is the list of the top 10 famous foods in South Korea that you must try during your visit:
- Kimchi
- Bibimbap
- Bulgogi
- Jajangmyeonrk
- Tteokbokki
- Samgyeopsal
- Ginseng Chicken Soup
- Galbi
- Bingsu
- Ramyeon
- Kimchi
Kimchi is one of the most popular dishes served as an accompaniment to the main meal in South Korea. Basically, it is made with a lacto-fermented Chinese leaf, and different chili seasonings are added to give it a savory taste. Other key ingredients that are part of this dish are napa cabbage and Korean radish. It is served cold or at room temperature and enjoyed in variations like Baechu-kimchi, baek-kimchi, dongchimi, kkakdugi, nabak-kimchi, pa-kimchi, morkovcha, etc.
In the past, onggi was an earthenware vessel used for the fermentation of vegetables. Currently, kimchi refrigerators are being replaced by onggi, which provides the most suitable temperature for kimchi variations. Kimchi is equally famous in North and South Korea as a highly nutritious food. It improves the body’s immunity system in the long run. It is an enriched source of probiotics, antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals, etc. You can enjoy this recipe in any city or region of South Korea with a wide range of restaurants, food, stalls, cafes, etc.
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2. Bibimbap
Just like kimchi, bibimbap is enjoyed in different forms, such as raw beef bibimbap, eggplant bibimbap, thistle (Kondrae) bibimbap, etc. This rice dish is highly nutritious with its wide range of ingredients, and you can taste its most varied flavors by exploring restaurants in Jeonju and Jinju. This wholesome food is enjoyed as a lunch meal and has been cooked for centuries.
Mostly it is enjoyed with rice, multiple vegetables, meat, egg, bibimbap sauce etc. Some of the commonly used vegetables for this recipe are spinach, carrot, zucchini, mushrooms, green onions, etc. It is served with rice in the base and all other vegetables, meat, seasoned seaweed, bibimbap sauce, and the egg on the top. Some of the famous food points in Seoul that have authentic bibimbap are Jungsik, Maple Tree House, Mokmyeoksanbang, Osegyehyang, etc.
3. Bulgogi
This versatile dish is famous in South Korea as a main dish or as an appetizer. It is believed to have originated from the Pyongan Province, North Korea, and became famous in South Korea by the migration of the Pyongan people. Bulgogi was enjoyed during the Joseon Dynasty as a royal and wealthy dish. Beef is used as its primary ingredient, and different spices are added to marinate the meat.
Some commonly used seasonings are soy sauce, sugar, ginger, sesame oil, garlic, ground black pepper, etc. Different recipes also include the use of onions or white button mushrooms for extra flavor. This dish is often served with kimchi fried rice, Korean cucumber salad, japchae, and spinach salad. Some of the top names for authentic Bulgogi in Seoul are Korean BBQ Restaurant Seouljip, Yetmat Seoul Bulgogi, Insadong Hangane Bulgogi Jumak, etc.
4. Jajangmyeonrk
This is another famous dish in South Korea that originated from Shandong province, China. In the 19th century, it gained popularity in Seoul when the workers from China migrated to South Korea. The main ingredients of this dish are fried chunjang, squid or shrimp, beef or pork meat, and different vegetables like onions, Korean zucchini, cabbage, etc. Soy sauce or oyster sauce, scallions, ginger, and garlic are used to add more flavor. Gan-jjajang, Jaengban-jjajang, Yuni-jjajang, Samseon-jjajang, etc are some of its variations equally famous in South and China.
People often enjoy this dish with julienne cucumber for a stronger flavor. JungHwaBokChun, Mashi China, Hongmyeong, etc., are top restaurants in Seoul for authentic Jajangmyeonrk with all the accompaniments for a heavenly experience.
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5. Tteokbokki
This rice cake dish is served as a main meal in various regions of South Korea. Cylinder-shaped rice cakes called garage-tteok are the main ingredient. Other ingredients vary from place to place, often including boiled eggs, seafood, short ribs, instant noodles, chewy noodles, etc. Yeopgi Tteokbokki and Shinjeon Tteokbokki are famous food brands in South Korea that offer this dish in traditional and fusion versions.
Some of its top variations that people love to enjoy are cheese-filled tteokbokki, seafood tteokbokki, creamy carbonara tteokbokki, and Jjolmyeon tteokbokki. Euljjiro Soup Tteokbokki Myeongdong Branch, Maru Jayeonsik Gimbap, Mapo Original Tteokbokki, etc., are some of the key places in Seoul to try out this flavor-packed dish.
6. Samgyeopsal
Samgyeopsal is a famous grill dish in South Korea and is enjoyed as an evening snack. Some of the key ingredients of this recipe are Pork belly, Garlic, fresh lettuce or perilla leaves, and Sesame Oil. Salt, Black Pepper, etc., are added for seasonings. Metal griddles or charcoal grills are used to grill the pork belly. Traditionally, no seasonings were added before grilling, and pork was grilled straight away.
However, ingredients like ginseng, gochujang, wine, garlic, herbs, curry, doenjang, etc., are essential to this recipe for enhanced flavors. Wolhwa Sikdang, Myeongdong Korean BBQ, Wangbijip Myeongdong, etc., are some of the key food points that offer this dish with authentic ingredients.
7. Ginseng Chicken Soup
This is one of the most nutritious South Korean dishes people enjoy in summer and winter. Ginseng Chicken Soup helps boost immunity and brain function. It is also effective in maintaining blood sugar levels and overall stamina. The main ingredients of this soup are chicken, pasta, noodles, dumplings, carrots, rice barley, etc.
This soup is often paired with rice, radish kimchi, or napa cabbage kimchi, etc. to enjoy as a complete meal. To try this dish in Seoul some of the highly recommended names are Tosokchon Samgyetang, Goryeo Samgyetang, Hosu Samgyetang, Baekje Samgyetang, etc.
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8. Galbi
Galbi is one of the expensive yet high-quality dishes famous among Koreans and worldwide tourists with its fine ingredients. This winter dish is made with bone broth, which offers multiple health benefits, such as strengthening hair and nails, higher immunity, and stamina. Some of its key ingredients are short ribs, onion, garlic, ginger, Asian pear, and lettuce leaves. For seasoning, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and rice wine are commonly used.
People enjoy this food with fresh lettuce leaves, steamed rice, and ssamjang. Wooraeok, Bamboo House, Byeok Je Galbi, Gae Hwa OK, etc., are some of the key restaurants in Seoul where you can try this traditional recipe with the finest ingredients.
9. Bingsu
This milk-based shaved ice is a famous Korean dessert that people love to have at lunch or dinner. Strawberry, Matcha strawberry, Matcha and red beans, Injeolmi and red beans, etc., are some of the flavors of this sweet treat. A mixture of water, fresh milk, and condensed milk is used as a base and served after freezing and shaving with a variety of toppings, such as red beans, chopped fruit, condensed milk, and fruit syrup. Myeongdong Kyoja, Myeongdong Cafe, Gobong Samgyetang, MoMo Cafe, Isaac Toast & Coffee Myeo, etc., are top-rated food points in Seoul for enjoying Bingsu.
10. Ramyeon
This is another famous soup in regions like South Korea, China, Japan, etc. It is often made with chicken or pork, and katsuobushi, niboshi, shiitake, and kombu are added as stock components. Shio ramen, Shōyu ramen, Miso ramen, and Karē ramen are traditional variants of this cuisine. It is a healthy recipe that offers a wide range of nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, minerals, etc.
This soup is served with different toppings, such as roasted pork, shredded Welsh onion, boiled spinach, sheets of nori, boiled egg, etc. To enjoy this Korean dish with all its accompaniments, try Mukshidonna Samcheongdong, Teumsae Ramen, Tokyo Steak, Menya Sandaime, etc., in Seoul.
Bottom Line
South Korean food is worth trying for its diverse flavors and distinctive tastes. With the globalization of South Korean industries and economic development, its food has also gained recognition from worldwide regions in the last decades. Whether you are looking for a crispy snack or a savory dish, everything is available in its finest form.
For food lovers who are in pursuit of authentic dishes in South Korea, the above-mentioned list of the top 10 foods is a must to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Korea’s National Food?
Kimchi is the national food of South Korea and reflects the Korean lifestyle. It has been enjoyed for centuries and taken as an integral dish for every meal in the routine.
What Is the Most Popular Restaurant in Seoul?
Flavors, Han-gong-gan, Daol Charcoal Grill, Gowooga Gwanghwamun, Gowooga Yeouido, etc., are famous food points in Seoul to try out traditional Korean dishes with authentic recipes.
What Do People in South Korea Eat for Breakfast?
South Koreans often prefer seaweed soup for breakfast, which is enjoyed with turnips and fish. Kimchi and rice are served as side dishes.
What Is the Most Famous Korean Snack?
Choco Pie, Pepero, Turtle Chips, Honey Butter Chips, and other famous Korean snacks are full of flavors.
