Korean Food Guide
15 essential Korean dishes — what it is, where to eat it, how to order it. For foreigners trying Korea for the first time.
Kimchi 김치
SideKorea's national dish — fermented cabbage, alive, and on every Korean table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Spice: mediumFree side at any Korean restaurantBibimbap 비빔밥
RiceMixed rice bowl with sauteed vegetables, beef, fried egg, and gochujang — Korea's most-Instagrammed dish.
Spice: mildKRW 8,000-15,000 (regular), KRW 20,000-30,000 (dolsot version)Korean BBQ 고기구이
GrilledGrill-it-yourself feast of beef, pork, and side dishes — Korea's most social meal.
Spice: noneKRW 15,000-30,000/person (pork BBQ), KRW 40,000-80,000/person (hanwoo beef)Samgyeopsal 삼겹살
GrilledThree-layer pork belly grilled at the table — Korea's #1 comfort meal with friends.
Spice: noneKRW 12,000-20,000/person (regular), KRW 25,000-35,000/person (premium pork)Tteokbokki 떡볶이
StreetSpicy chewy rice cakes in red sauce — Korea's #1 street snack, eaten daily by everyone.
Spice: spicyKRW 3,000-7,000 (street cart), KRW 8,000-15,000 (restaurant)Kimbap 김밥
RiceKorean seaweed rice roll — picnic food, lunch box, and convenience meal all in one.
Spice: noneKRW 3,000-5,000 (regular roll), KRW 6,000-10,000 (premium kimbap)Japchae 잡채
NoodleGlass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and beef — the celebration noodle.
Spice: noneKRW 10,000-15,000 (main), free as side at some restaurantsBulgogi 불고기
MarinatedThin-sliced beef marinated in sweet soy sauce — the gateway Korean dish for first-timers.
Spice: noneKRW 15,000-25,000/personNaengmyeon 냉면
ColdIce-cold buckwheat noodles in tangy broth — Korea's most refreshing summer dish.
Spice: mildKRW 10,000-15,000Sundubu-jjigae 순두부찌개
StewSoft tofu stew bubbling hot with seafood or pork — Korea's #1 winter comfort food.
Spice: spicyKRW 8,000-12,000Korean Fried Chicken 치킨
FriedDouble-fried, crispy-as-glass chicken with sweet-spicy glaze — the global Korean export hit.
Spice: mildKRW 18,000-25,000 (whole chicken serves 2-3)Haemul-pajeon 해물파전
PancakeSeafood scallion pancake — crispy edges, chewy center, the rainy-day Korean snack.
Spice: noneKRW 12,000-25,000 (sized to share 2-4 people)Samgyetang 삼계탕
ChickenWhole young chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng — Korea's strength-restoring summer dish.
Spice: noneKRW 15,000-25,000Soju 소주
DrinkKorea's national spirit — clear, smooth, 17-20% ABV, served in green bottles everywhere.
Spice: noneKRW 2,000-5,000 / bottle (convenience store), KRW 4,000-8,000 (restaurant)Makgeolli 막걸리
DrinkCloudy unfiltered rice wine — Korea's farmer drink, now reborn as craft.
Spice: noneKRW 4,000-8,000 / bottle (regular), KRW 10,000-20,000 (craft makgeolli)