MySeoul

Planning your first trip to South Korea? Then get ready for some seriously good food!

From sizzling Korean BBQ and crispy fried chicken to spicy street food and delicious desserts, Korea has so many amazing dishes to discover. But with so many options, figuring out what to eat can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with Korean food.

Is it spicy? What does it taste like? How are you supposed to eat it? Don’t worry! I’ve put together a list of 11 must-try Korean foods for your first trip, featuring everything from popular favorites to local comfort foods and sweet treats.

I’ll also share what each dish tastes like, how spicy it is, and a few local tips to help you enjoy it. Ready to explore Korea one delicious bite at a time? Let’s dig in!

1. Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) — Korean Pork Belly BBQ

If there’s one food experience you shouldn’t miss in Korea, it’s samgyeopsal(삼겹살), or Korean grilled pork belly! Samgyeopsal is one of Korea’s most popular BBQ dishes, made with thick slices of pork belly grilled right at your table.

And that’s part of the fun! You get to watch the meat sizzle on the grill, although some restaurants have staff who cook it for you. Once the pork belly is perfectly grilled, try wrapping a piece in lettuce or perilla leaves with some ssamjang (쌈장-Korean dipping sauce) and kimchi. This little lettuce wrap is called ssam (쌈), and it’s one of the best ways to enjoy Korean BBQ.

Flavor: rich, savory, and deliciously grilled pork
Spice Level: not spicy on its own

My Seoul Tip: Many Korean BBQ restaurants require a minimum order of two portions of meat. If you’re traveling solo, check the restaurant’s minimum order before visiting.

2. Hanwoo (한우) — Premium Korean Beef BBQ

Looking for something special to treat yourself to during your Korea trip? You might want to try Hanwoo, Korea’s premium native-breed beef. Hanwoo is highly valued in Korea for its rich flavor, tenderness, and beautiful marbling.

한우랑 와규 비교

At a Korean beef BBQ restaurant, you’ll often find different cuts to choose from, including sirloin, tenderloin, strip loin, and short ribs. Each cut has its own flavor and texture, so trying a few different ones can be a fun experience.

Unlike heavily marinated meats, high-quality Hanwoo is often enjoyed with just a little salt, allowing you to appreciate the natural flavor of the beef. Of course, Hanwoo tends to be more expensive than regular Korean BBQ, but it can be a wonderful choice for a special dinner.

Flavor: Rich, buttery, and tender, depending on the cut
Spice Level: Not spicy

My Seoul Tip: Look for the word Hanwoo (한우) on the menu, as not all beef served in Korea is Hanwoo. Also, check the portion size and price before ordering, since premium cuts can be quite expensive.

3. Bulgogi (불고기) — Marinated Korean Beef

Not a fan of spicy food? Bulgogi might be just what you’re looking for!

Bulgogi is made with thinly sliced meat, usually beef, marinated in a delicious mixture of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and other seasonings. The result is tender, flavorful meat with a wonderful balance of sweetness and savory flavors. It’s one of those dishes that’s easy to enjoy, even if you’re completely new to Korean food. And trust me, it goes perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice!

Flavor: Sweet and savory with a delicious soy-based marinade
Spice Level: Usually not spicy

My Seoul Tip: Don’t confuse traditional beef bulgogi with spicy pork bulgogi. They can taste quite different! If you prefer something mild, classic beef bulgogi is a good place to start.

4. Bibimbap (비빔밥) — Korean Mixed Rice

Colorful, flavorful, and satisfying, bibimbap is one of Korea’s most iconic dishes. It’s a bowl of warm rice topped with a beautiful assortment of vegetables, sometimes meat, and often an egg.

The fun part? You mix everything together with gochujang (고추장), a Korean red chili paste, before eating. The different ingredients create a delicious combination of flavors and textures in every bite. If you get the chance, I’d also recommend trying dolsot bibimbap (돌솥 비빔밥), which comes in a sizzling hot stone bowl. The rice at the bottom becomes wonderfully crispy, adding an extra layer of texture.

Flavor: Fresh, savory, nutty, and slightly spicy depending on the sauce
Spice Level: Adjustable depending on how much gochujang you add

My Seoul Tip: Don’t add all the gochujang at once! Start with a little, mix everything together, and add more if you want an extra kick.

5. Korean Fried Chicken (한국식 치킨)

Have you ever watched a K-drama where the characters are enjoying crispy fried chicken with a cold beer? Well, Korean fried chicken is definitely worth trying! What makes it special is its wonderfully crispy coating and the variety of delicious sauces and seasonings. Some of the most popular options include:

Can’t decide which one to order?

• Original Fried Chicken: Classic crispy chicken without a heavy sauce.
• Yangnyeom (양념) Chicken: Fried chicken coated in a sweet, spicy, and slightly sticky sauce.
• Soy Garlic Chicken: A flavorful combination of savory soy sauce and garlic.

Luckily, many Korean chicken restaurants offer banban chicken (반반치킨), which means half and half! You can enjoy two different flavors in one order.

Flavor: Crispy, savory, sweet, or spicy depending on the sauce
Spice Level: Varies by flavor

My Seoul Tip: If it’s your first time trying Korean fried chicken, I’d recommend ordering half original and half yangnyeom. It’s a great way to experience two classic flavors!

6. Bunsik (분식) — Korean Street Food Favorites

If you want to experience Korea’s casual food culture, make sure to visit a bunsik restaurant! Bunsik refers to a variety of affordable, casual Korean dishes that are popular for quick meals and snacks.

Some of the most popular options include tteokbokki (떡볶이), gimbap (김밥), fried snacks (튀김), and sundae (순대). The best part is that you can order several dishes and enjoy them together!Here are four popular bunsik foods worth trying.

Tteokbokki (떡볶이) — Spicy Rice Cakes

One of Korea’s most famous street foods! Tteokbokki is made with chewy rice cakes, or sometimes wheat-based cakes, cooked in a sweet and spicy red sauce. It often includes fish cakes and green onions, and some versions come with cheese or boiled eggs. Just a heads-up: tteokbokki can be surprisingly spicy!

Gimbap (김밥) — Korean Seaweed Rice Rolls

Gimbap is made with seasoned rice and various fillings rolled in dried seaweed. Common ingredients include vegetables, egg, pickled radish, and sometimes meat or tuna. It’s a convenient and tasty option for a quick meal, and classic gimbap is usually not spicy.

Twigim (튀김) — Korean Fried Snacks

Think crispy fried sweet potatoes, squid, seaweed rolls, and other delicious bite-sized treats. Twigim is especially good when dipped into tteokbokki sauce!

Sundae (순대) — Korean Blood Sausage

Sundae is a traditional Korean sausage, often filled with glass noodles and pork blood, although ingredients vary by type. It has a distinctive texture and flavor, so it might be a little more adventurous for first-time visitors.

Flavor: A mix of sweet, spicy, savory, and crispy flavors
Spice Level: Tteokbokki is usually spicy, while classic gimbap and most plain twigim are generally mild.

My Seoul Tip: My favorite recommendation for a first-time bunsik experience is to order tteokbokki, gimbap, and twigim together. Try dipping the crispy fried snacks into the tteokbokki sauce. It’s such a delicious combination!

7. Jjimdak (찜닭) — Korean Braised Chicken

If you enjoy tender chicken in a rich, savory sauce, you’ll probably love jjimdak! Jjimdak is a Korean braised chicken dish made with chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful soy-based sauce.

One of the best-known versions is Andong jjimdak (안동 찜닭), which typically includes potatoes, carrots, onions, and chewy glass noodles. The sauce has a lovely balance of sweet and savory flavors, although some restaurants add chili peppers for an extra kick.

And while the chicken is delicious, don’t overlook the noodles and potatoes! They soak up all that wonderful sauce, making them just as enjoyable as the meat. Jjimdak often comes in generous portions, so it’s a great dish to share with friends or family.

Flavor: Sweet and savory soy-based sauce with tender chicken
Spice Level: Varies by restaurant and spice level

My Seoul Tip: Order a bowl of steamed rice to go with your jjimdak. Mixing rice with the leftover sauce is absolutely delicious! Also, keep in mind that some restaurants use bone-in chicken.

8. Jjajangmyeon (짜장면) — Korean Black Bean Noodles

At first glance, jjajangmyeon might look a little unusual because of its dark black sauce. But don’t let that put you off! Jjajangmyeon is one of Korea’s most beloved noodle dishes.

Originally inspired by Chinese cuisine, it has evolved into a uniquely Korean-style dish over time. It consists of thick noodles topped with a rich, dark sauce made from chunjang, a fermented black soybean paste, usually cooked with onions and pork.

Despite its appearance, the sauce isn’t particularly strong or spicy. Instead, it has a deliciously rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor. It’s also one of Korea’s classic comfort foods and a popular choice for food delivery.

Flavor: Rich, savory, and slightly sweet
Spice Level: Usually not spicy

My Seoul Tip: Make sure to mix the noodles and sauce thoroughly before eating. It might get a little messy, but that’s part of the experience!

9. Haemul Pajeon (해물파전) — Seafood and Green Onion Pancake

Looking for something crispy and savory to share? Give haemul pajeon a try!

Haemul pajeon is a Korean-style pancake made with green onions and seafood, such as squid, shrimp, or other shellfish. It’s pan-fried until golden, with crispy edges and a soft, flavorful center.

It’s usually served with a soy-based dipping sauce that complements the savory pancake. Here’s a fun little Korean food tradition: rainy days are often associated with eating pajeon and drinking makgeolli (막걸리), a traditional Korean rice wine. Whether it’s raining or not, pajeon makes a delicious dish to enjoy with friends.

Flavor: Savory, crispy, and slightly chewy
Spice Level: Usually not spicy

My Seoul Tip: If you’re not a seafood fan, look for other types of Korean pancakes, such as kimchi jeon. Just remember that kimchi pancakes can be spicy, and ingredients may vary.

10. Jokbal (족발) — Korean Braised Pork Trotters

Last but definitely not least, here’s a Korean dish that’s especially popular for sharing with friends and family: jokbal!

Jokbal is made from pork trotters that are slowly simmered in a flavorful broth with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and aromatic spices until the meat becomes tender. It’s then sliced and served on a large platter, often with kimchi, lettuce, garlic, and dipping sauces.

The meat is rich and savory, but what makes jokbal really special is its texture. You’ll get a mix of tender meat, soft skin, and pleasantly chewy, gelatinous bites. It might sound a little adventurous if you’ve never tried pork trotters before, but it’s a beloved Korean dish that’s well worth experiencing!

One of the best ways to enjoy jokbal is to wrap a slice in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang, just like Korean BBQ. You can also try it with saeujeot (새우젓), a traditional dipping condiment made from salted fermented shrimp.

Flavor: Rich, savory, slightly sweet, and wonderfully tender and chewy
Spice Level: Traditional jokbal is usually not spicy, although spicy versions are also available.

My Seoul Tip: Jokbal is often served in generous portions, so it’s a great dish to share. If you’d like to try something a little different, order makguksu (막국수), a spicy, tangy buckwheat noodle dish that’s a popular pairing with jokbal!

11. Bingsu (빙수) — Korean Shaved Ice Dessert

Let’s finish our Korean food adventure with something refreshing! Bingsu is one of Korea’s most popular desserts, made with finely shaved ice and a variety of delicious toppings.

Traditional patbingsu features sweet red beans and often rice cakes, while modern versions come in all kinds of flavors. Think fresh mango, strawberries, matcha, chocolate, and more!

Many cafés also make bingsu with finely shaved frozen milk, giving it an incredibly soft, fluffy texture. It’s especially popular during the hot summer months, but some dessert cafés serve it throughout the year.

Flavor: Sweet, refreshing, and creamy, depending on the toppings
Spice Level: Not spicy

My Seoul Tip: Korean bingsu portions can be surprisingly generous, and some are big enough to share between two people. Check the serving size before ordering!

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A Few Tips for Enjoying Korean Food

Before you head out on your Korean food adventure, here are a few things worth knowing.

Not all Korean food is spicy!

While Korea is famous for spicy dishes, there are plenty of mild options too. Bulgogi, Hanwoo BBQ, classic gimbap, and jjajangmyeon are all great choices if you prefer something less spicy. On the other hand, dishes like tteokbokki and certain versions of jjimdak can pack quite a punch, so don’t hesitate to ask about the spice level.

Enjoy the side dishes, or banchan!

At many Korean restaurants, your main dish comes with small side dishes called banchan (반찬). These might include kimchi, seasoned vegetables, or other tasty little additions. Some restaurants offer complimentary refills, although this varies by place.

Check the ingredients if you have dietary restrictions.

Korean dishes can sometimes contain ingredients that aren’t immediately obvious. For example, vegetable-based dishes may use meat or anchovy stock, while kimchi may contain fermented seafood. If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or have food allergies, it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients before ordering.

Try sharing a few dishes!

One of the most enjoyable parts of Korean dining culture is sharing food. If you’re traveling with friends or family, ordering several dishes to share is a wonderful way to try more flavors in one meal.

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Final Thoughts: Discover Korea One Bite at a Time!

Of course, these are just a few of the many delicious foods waiting for you in Korea!

From sizzling Korean BBQ to sweet street snacks, there’s so much more to explore beyond this list. And while trying famous dishes is definitely part of the fun, I’d also encourage you to be a little adventurous.

Step into a small local restaurant, explore a traditional market, or try something you’ve never heard of before. Sometimes, the most memorable meals are the ones you weren’t even planning to have.

Here at My Seoul, I’ll be sharing more Korean food guides, local restaurant recommendations, and lovely cafés worth visiting. So, which Korean dish are you most excited to try?

Happy eating, and enjoy your delicious adventure in Korea!

See you in Seoul!