For your trip to South Korea, we've prepared a list of must-try traditional Korean dishes. These dishes are delicious whether you've eaten from a street food vendor or in a restaurant, the experience will be the same.
Like Cambodian cuisine in that it is now becoming trendy, there is growing interest for Korean cuisine out with Asia and our guide will show why. Interestingly Korean food is presented in bite sized pieces so there is no trouble eating using chopsticks. The chopsticks by the way are metal and not wooden, and they are ― comparably to the Japanese chopstick ― shorter too.
Many dishes are made from rice, meat, seafood and vegetables ― barbeque and grilled, and stir-fried. The meat often will be beef but you can expect pork and chicken as alternatives. Or seafood and tofu for vegetarians.
Rice is a Korean food staple in place of noodles but we have found there can be soybean and mung beans thrown into a dish just as easily. In fact, tofu is made from soybeans and soybeans are turned into a fermented paste and milk in some dishes.
Vegetables are added to a stew or stir-fry or with another dish either raw or pickled. There are many reactions to suggest it's the vegetables that complete a dish. You can appreciate the distinctive Korean flavor from:
There can be a few side dishes, or up to a dozen depending on what's on the tray being served. The side dishes (usually Kimchi) will be pickled, salted, or fermented. Most are hot and spicy. If you don't like it hot and spicy, say so and the vendor will lay off the red chili for you.
This was a dish for Royalty once upon a time but now it's a Korean national favorite. The taste pleasure arises from a mixture of rice and beef with vegetables finished off with sesame seeds and either soy sauce or a hot chili pepper paste. The most common way beef is prepared, it is first marinated before cooking over a table top grill. Which may explain why it's sizzling when it arrives to you with an aroma straight out of your best barbeque.
A firm favorite throughout the months of summer is this chicken soup. Strong in aroma and flavor which is a surprise for a chicken dish, but we believe it's the seasoning that's added, and why your taste buds have something to scream ― in a good way ― about:
Topped off with spices of course. And it's part of the pleasure of the meal to fish out the bones as and when you come across them.
A tasty treat you can eat whilst on the move and similar to Italian ravioli. Its meat wrapped in doughy pasta. The meat can be beef, pork or chicken or a combination of all three. For meat-free varieties the fillings can be tofu, cheese or shrimps or a combination.
In addition to this the wrap can hold onions, mushroom and even bean sprouts. Very much like the Bibimbap, Mandu is thought to have originated from the Royal courts before becoming common place in Korean street food.
As well as Mandu dumplings there are three other varieties: Songpyeon, Pyeonsu and Manduguk.
Korean cuisine is relatively healthy despite the dishes being grilled or stir-fried but if you are worried then complement your dishes with this side dish. Namul comprises of numerous vegetables, each in small portions. Green leafy vegetables with a combination from, but not limited to:
Seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, vinegar and garlic, the vegetables will be raw, pickled, stir-fried or sautéed. The dish is the perfect accompaniment to barbequed beef.
This is one to really relish. It makes you hungry just by thinking about it and you must not leave South Korea without having tried it at least once. You are to get grilled slices of pork belly without seasoning or marinating. Just the meat.
But you don't just devour the meat. First, you've got to dip it in a sauce. Then you wrap it inside a lettuce leaf stuffed with anything from:
One of the most common street food dishes you'll come across so there's no excuse for not having tried it.
Thick wheat noodles or rice, served with a thick savory paste made from black soybeans, cucumber slices, and an assorted of vegetables. Sitting nicely with the noodle or rice is chunky, diced pork and you'll be thankful for the simplicity of this dish as you unearth the meat. One more beautiful South Korean creation.
This is the dish that almost everyone has heard about. Served with pretty much every dish in one form or another, the salad is an assortment of vegetables. It's fermented cabbage with a paste made from mixed spices and garlic and ginger. Entirely healthy and gives closure to your dining experience.
Marinated beef which is grilled with garlic and onion resulting in a very savory dish. One that also made the top 25 most delicious dishes in one of CNN's travelers survey a decade ago. Served with fresh lettuce and a thick creamy, spicy paste. We suggest you eat the meat first after dipping and polish off what paste is left with the lettuce. That worked for us ― enjoy the full flavor without any interference.
Dried seaweed is rolled up and filled with white rice and seasoning with mixed vegetables comprising of:
Fillings can be varied from beef and tuna to fermented vegetables (Kimchi) or cheese, for vegetarians. This dish is ideal for snacking on whilst walking and relaxing in an open park or lakeside.
Another snack that's enjoyable on the move. Please yourself what you are hungry for as both the sweet and savory version are delicious. Can be found as an accompanying side dish when dining in a restaurant or as part of the starter menu.
The pancake is what you expect from elsewhere in the world ― flour and eggs beaten and pan fried. The twist with the Korean variety is the dough mixture coats over wafer thin slivers of meat, poultry or seafood with vegetables. Best eaten after dipping in a sauce so be sure you're provided with one.
It has only been in recent few decades that has South Korean delicacies found a fan base around the world. Look at every city in the world and you can eat at a multitude of Chinese restaurants. There is no comparison of course, but Korean cuisine is gaining favor ― not quite on the Chinese but definitely alongside their Thai and Vietnam neighbors.
We think that's awesome because all flavors of Asia must be distributed a little more evenly. If you've yet to try the South Korean cuisine please do before you set off on your trip. Just to get an early taste of what mouthwatering pleasures are in store for you.
PREVIOUS GUIDE
NEXT GUIDE
Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.