People ask me all the time what they have to eat in Korea, and honestly, you almost can't go wrong. But if it's your first trip, here's the shortlist I'd hand you: the dishes that define how we actually eat, not just the famous names. Start here and follow your nose from there.
The ones you'll want first
- Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly). Thick slices you grill yourself at the table, then wrap in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang, and a bit of kimchi. This is Korea's go-to group meal, and doing the wrapping yourself is half the fun.
- Bibimbap. Rice topped with seasoned vegetables, egg, and gochujang, all mixed into one perfect bite. Order the dolsot (hot stone bowl) version for the crispy rice at the bottom.
- Korean fried chicken. Twice-fried, shatteringly crisp, and usually shared over beer (we call the combo chimaek). Get it half-and-half: half soy-garlic, half spicy.
- Tteokbokki. Chewy rice cakes in a sweet-spicy sauce, the definitive street snack. It's pure comfort food for anyone who grew up here.
Go a little deeper
- Kimchi jjigae. A bubbling stew of aged kimchi, pork, and tofu. This is what Koreans actually eat at home, and it's the taste I miss most when I'm abroad.
- Naengmyeon. Cold buckwheat noodles in an icy broth, a summer lifesaver. Strange on the first bite, addictive by the third.
- Japchae. Glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and a touch of sweetness. A gentle crowd-pleaser if you're a nervous first-timer.
- Gimbap. Seaweed rice rolls, our grab-and-go lunch. Cheap and portable, and weirdly comforting on a busy day.
Don't sleep on the side dishes
Every Korean meal comes with banchan, a spread of small side dishes that come free and get refilled for nothing. Kimchi is the famous one, but you'll also get seasoned spinach, bean sprouts, braised potatoes, and more. Try all of them; that spread is the real heart of the table.
Where to eat it
You don't need a fancy restaurant. Some of the best food is at traditional markets like Gwangjang and at tiny neighborhood spots with plastic stools. For street snacks, wander Myeongdong or any market alley. Before you dig in, it's worth knowing a couple of Korean table manners, like waiting for the eldest to start. Then eat with abandon. And a tip: a place packed with locals at lunch is a safe bet.