Foreigners' Picks
Most loved by travelers
The Korean dishes international visitors fall in love with most.
If you have just arrived in Korea and the menu feels unfamiliar, it is good to start with foods whose ingredients and ways of eating are relatively clear. This group covers a wide range of situations, from a quick solo meal to a shared meal for several people and a cold specialty on a hot day. The flavor direction is generally clear, with elements such as Soy Sauce, sesame oil, grilled meat, and cool broth, and the heat is easy to choose or control with accompaniments.
Gimbap is easy to hold and eat, making it suitable on the move or for a light lunch. Rice, vegetables, egg, and pickled yellow radish come sliced into bite-sized pieces, so it is low-pressure even if you are not confident with chopsticks. Bulgogi is thin beef in a sweet-savory marinade grilled and eaten with rice, and wrapping it in leafy greens naturally introduces you to the Korean way of eating. Naengmyeon is known for cold broth and chewy noodles, making it good on hot days or as a palate cleanser after grilled meat.
Gimbap
김밥 · gimbap
A convenient meal made by rolling rice, vegetables, pickled radish, eggs, and ham in seaweed, seasoned with sesame oil and salt. It is enjoyed for picnics or quick meals, and unlike sushi, it is seasoned with sesame oil instead of vinegar.
Naengmyeon
냉면 · naengmyeon
A dish made with chewy noodles made from buckwheat, served in chilled broth with floating ice, enjoyed by mixing the noodles with Dongchimi (radish water kimchi) and meat broth (mul-naengmyeon). Adjust the flavor with mustard and vinegar to your liking, perfect for hot summer days and often enjoyed as a meal finish at a barbecue restaurant.
Japchae
잡채 · japchae
A traditional Korean stir-fried dish made with glass noodles and various vegetables and meat, seasoned with soy sauce. The chewy noodles and crunchy vegetables create a rich and savory taste.
Korean Fried Chicken
치킨 · chikin
A dish made by frying chicken coated in batter, characterized by its crispy texture. It can be enjoyed with various sauces and styles, including soy sauce, seasoned, and fried, and is often eaten with beer.
Gamjatang
감자탕 · gamja-tang
A traditional Korean soup dish made by boiling pork backbones with greens and potatoes in a spicy broth. It is often shared in a large pot with several people, or served as a single portion in a form of bone soup.
Bulgogi
불고기 · bulgogi
A traditional Korean dish made by seasoning thinly sliced beef with soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and more, then grilling it on a metal plate. It is characterized by a sweet and savory flavor and is usually eaten wrapped in leafy vegetables.
Samgyeopsal
삼겹살 · samgyeopsal
A representative Korean grilled dish made by grilling pork belly without seasoning, typically dipped in salt or oil sauce. The layers of fat melt, creating a rich flavor while the outside is grilled to a golden color, boasting a chewy texture. It is common to wrap it in lettuce or perilla leaves with ssamjang and garlic.
Patbingsu
팥빙수 · pat-bing-su
A cold summer dessert with finely shaved ice topped with sweetened red bean, rice cake, and condensed milk. The smooth sweetness of the red bean blends with the melting ice as you take a spoonful, and it is typically served in a large bowl to be shared among many people.
Budae Jjigae
부대찌개 · bu-dae-jji-gae
A stew where ham, sausages, and ramen noodles are boiled directly at the table in a broth. Various ingredients blend to create a rich flavor, and the broth reduces to offer a deep taste experience.
Seafood Pancake
해물파전 · hae-mul-pa-jeon
A pancake made by pouring a flour batter over scallions and topped with seafood such as squid and shrimp. It's crispy on the outside and moist on the inside with the scallions and seafood blending together. It's typically enjoyed cut up and shared with dipping sauce on rainy days as a side dish for Makgeolli.