12 MUST EAT FOOD YOU SHOULD NEVER LEAVE KOREA WITHOUT HAVING THEM

Korea is the land of culinary pleasure, and you will be sorry if you don't enjoy them as much as you can while in Korea. Of thousands of yummy dishes, below 12 cuisines are selected based on three simple criteria - locality, accessibility and affordability. So enjoy as much as you can before you pack your luggage.

1. Bulgogi (Korean-Style Barbecued Beef)

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Bulgogi is so famous it does not need an explanation. If you do not taste this while in Korea, it’s hardly an exaggeration to say your whole trip was in vain. This drop dead delicious sweat soy sauce based beef is unbelievably tasty.

2. Galbi (Roasted Ribs)

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Galbi is roasted ribs seasoned with soy sauce based spices. Koreans use both pork and beef, but since beef is super expensive in Korea, pork rib is lot more popular. I personally prefer pork rib because it’s a lot cheaper and they taste almost same when it is seasoned.

3. Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly)

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Samgyeopsal is the top menu for Korean people’s gatherings. This grilled pork belly is somehow similar to bacon but it is lot thicker. It is really difficult to find Korean having Samgyeopsal without Soju(링크). In most cases, Korean people actually eat it to drink. 

4. Doenjang-jjigae (Bean Paste Stew)

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This is the most frequently served dish in Korean households, made with fermented soy bean. Since most Korean restaurants have this menu, do not forget to try it at least once. Doenjang stew is similar to Japanese ‘Miso soup’ but with stronger taste and smell.  

5. Kimchi-jjigae (Kimchi Stew)

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I suppose you might have had Kimchi, or, at least, have heard of it. Korean people usually put pork or tuna chunks in this Kimchi based stew. This is the most common home dish along with Doenjang stew.

6. Bibimbap (Mixed Rice and Vegetables)

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This symbolic Korean cuisine is actually very easy to cook. It is just a bowl of rice mixed with all sorts of hot vegetables and red pepper paste. At home, Koreans simply put leftover food and rice in a big bowl and mix them.     

7. Tteok-bokki (Stir-fried Rice Cake Bar)

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Tteok-bokki is number one street food made simply by stir-frying rice cake with red pepper paste. This also is one of the most popular foods among foreign residents in Korea.

8. Jjajangmyeon (Black Noodle)

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The black bean sauce noodle (Jjajangmyeon) is a Koreanized Chinese dish. It is also the most popular and affordable delivery food. It is customary in Korea to have the black noodle when people graduate or move their houses.

9. Korean Fried Chicken 

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If you haven't tried Korean chicken yet, I guess your life was a waste. It is so yummy, even KFC is pushed to the brink of extinction. Just one bite will be enough to make you feel like wanting to settle down in Korea.

10. Pajeon (Green Onion Pancake)

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This Korean style pancake has many variations. Most Korean restaurants that open till late offer Seafood Pajeon, more famous variation cooked with loads of sea foods. In Korea, Pajeon has to be accompanied with Makgeolli. It is a Korean ritual to eat Pajeon with Makgeolli on rainy days.   

11. Gamjatang (Pork Back-bone Stew)

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This spicy stew is perfect food for drinking occasions, but alcohol loving Koreans also enjoy this yummy dish for their hangover. Although most countries do not eat this part of pork, it is surprisingly tasty.

12. Samgyetang  (Ginseng Chicken Soup)

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Koreans love chicken. Although Korean fried chicken is getting really popular, ginseng chicken soup has been the king of chicken dish for hundreds of years. In Korea, there is a designated day in summer when entire nation eats this healthy soup. Unlike other chicken dishes, Koreans stick up ginseng, dates and sticky rice in chickens’ stomach and boil them.

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Written by Karly

She graduated in a university in Korea double majoring in social studies and political science. After graduation, she worked for a while at the Nation of Assembly of Republic of Korea, but now she is working as a reporter. Having a life goal of being a Asia-specialized travel reporter, she travels around the world in her spare time.