Top 25 foods you should try while you stay in Korea

There are so many Korean Traditional Food. These are all great food. I took away some food that most foreigners can not eat. Here are top 25 foods you should try while staying in Korea.


1. Jeju Island Black Pig (제주도 흑돼지) & SamGyeopSal (삼겹살)

Among pork dish in Korea, roasted Jeju Island's black pig (흑돼지) is considered the most delicious dish. People say that you can feel the flavor of steak by eating roasted black pig.

Recommended Restaurant
   -HeokDonGa in Samsung-dong 147-15, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (흑돈가 in 삼성동 147-15, 강남구, 서울특별시)

2. ChunCheon DakGalBi (춘천닭갈비)

I covered 춘천닭갈비 on another blog post.
https://genesisjung.blogspot.kr/2017/05/what-foreigners-should-eat-in-south.html

Recommended Restaurant
   -JeongTongChunCheon DakGalBi in Banseok-dong 629-7, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon (정통춘천닭갈비 in 반석동 629-7, 유성구, 대전광역시)

3. Korean Traditional Table D'hote (한정식)

'HanJeongSik' is a Korean Traditional Table D'hote. This type of table is normal table in Korea. It represents wide variety of side dishes in Korea. You can also refill those side side dishes by just requesting a refill of certain side dish with no extra cost. I recommend foreigners to experience 'HanJeongSik' because it's very Korean and You can literally experience entire Korean food culture with just a table.

Recommended Restaurant
   -GwiBinDolSotBab in Seogu, Daejeon (귀빈돌솥밥 in 서구, 대전광역시)
   -JungAng ShikYuk ShikDang in OkPoro 215, GeoJe-si, GyeongSangNam-do (중앙식육식당 in 경상남도 거제시 옥포로 215)
    tip: order DuRuChiGi and GongGiBab (두루치기 와 공기밥)

4. Galbi & BulGoGi (갈비 & 불고기)

The first picture is Galbi and the second picture is BulGoGi. Galbi and BulGoGi is two of the most popular meat cooking in Korea.
   Galbi is Korean traditional rib. However, what's different with western rib is meat cutting method. In western countries, they cook the whole ribs of half of whole ribs in a pig or cow. Koreans cook each ribs by cutting the bones vertically. And we season the ribs with soy sauce.
   BulGoGi is thinly sliced meat seasoned with soy sauce.
   Although Galbi and BulGoGi is delicious in all occasions, their tastes differs a lot by the cooking style and restaurant.

Recommended Restaurant
   -SanJang Garden in DoshinGoBok-ro 1131-7, YeonSeo-myeon, Sejong-si (산장가든 in 세종특별자치시 연서면 도신고복로 1131-7) -> Galbi restaurant
   tip: order Galbi (갈비) and DongChiMiGukSu (동치미국수)
   -SeoulAhkChikNangMyeon in DoonSanDaeRo 117 bun-gil 56, Seo-gu, Daejeon (설악칡냉면 in 대전광역시 서구 둔산대로 117번길 56) -> Galbi restaurant
   -YeokJeonHweGwan in ToJung-ro 37gil 47, Mapo-gu, Seoul (역전회관 in 서울특별시 마포구 토정로 37길 47) -> Bulgogi restaurant

5. Salted Seafood (젓갈)

'JeotGal' is salted and spiced and thinly sliced seafood. Although it is delicious to eat it as it is, but it is best to eat 'JeotGal' with rice. I recommend experiencing 'JeotGal'. This is sort of Kimchi made of seafood.

Recommended Restaurant
   -GomSoGungHwetJib in Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Province (곰소궁횟집 in 부안, 전라북도)
   -Every large mart such as E mart (이마트), Homeplus (홈플러스), and Lottemart (롯데마트)

6. JeonJu BiBimBap (전주비빔밥)

'JeonJu BiBimBap' is mixed rice with vegetables and raw egg. JeonJu is famous region for BiBimBap. Although it seems like very simple dish to make, taste differs significantly by the ratio of vegetables in BiBimBap and freshness of the vegetables.

Recommended Restaurant
   -GaJokHweGwan in JeonJu, Jeollabuk-do Province (가족회관 in 전주, 전라북도)
   -MokMyukSanBang in NamSanGongWon-gil 125-72, Jung-gu, Seoul (목멱산방 in 서울특별시 중구 남산공원길 125-72)

7. Kimchi (김치)
Kimchi is symbolic food in Korea. Kimchi is made of Asian Cabbage, salt, pepper, and other ingredient. I recommend trying Kimchi at least once in Korea. I don't expect foreigners to like Kimchi, but as Kimchi is one of symbolic food in Korea, I think it has value to eat Kimchi at least once.

Recommended Restaurant : Taste Kimchi at every restaurant in Korea

8. GanJang GeJang & YangNyeom GeJang (간장게장 & 양념게장)

GanJang GeJang is Soy Sauce Marinated Crab and YangNyeom GeJang is Spicy Marinated Crab. These are crab dishes and mostly eaten with rice. It was also once hard for me to get used to these dishes. However, as I ate these I started to like these dishes. Also, GanJang GeJang & YangNyeom GeJang are rarely seen in other countries, so I recommend tasting these dishes.

Recommended Restaurant : JinMiShikDang in MapoDae-ro 186-6, Mapo-gu, Seoul (진미식당 in 서울특별시 마포구 마포대로 186-6)

9. GaeSal BiBimBab (게살비빔밥)

GaeSal BiBimBab is actually even not well known food to Korean. However, I found this food to be very delicious and definitely not able to find outside of Korea. GaeSal BiBimBab is made with crab meat (which is called GaeSal in Korean), sugar, garlic, ginger, onion, pepper, Korean pear and more.

Recommended Restaurant : JangTeoShikDang in YoungSan-ro 40 bun-gil 23, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do Province (장터식당 in 전남 목포시 영산로 40번길 23)

10. Kkomak table d'hote (꼬막정식) 

Kkomak is cockle ,a kind of shell fish. We usually season Kkomak with pepper, green onion, soy sauce and so on. Kkomak tastes vary by what it is seasoned. Although I personally am not a huge fan of shell fish, I am fan of Kkomak table d'hote. The pepper, green onion and other vegetables and sauce takes fishy smell and taste away.

Recommended Restaurant : PoogWonJang KkomakJungChan in Marine city 2 ro 38, HaeUnDae-gu, Busan (풍원장 꼬막정찬 in 부산광역시 해운대구 마린시티 2로 38)

11. Beef Seaweed soup (소고기미역국)

'SoGoGi MiYeokGuk' is seaweed soup with beef. Koreans usually eat 'SoGoGi MiYeokGuk' with rice. Flavor of seaweed and beef is best harmony.

Recommended Restaurant : PoogWonJang MiYeokGuk JungChan in Hanam Starfield mall (풍원장 미역국 정찬 in 하남 스타필드)

12. GopChang (곱창)

I am a little reluctant to introduce this food. GopChang is small pig intestine. I recommend visiting very nice restaurant for eating GopChang. Even Koreans are very selective about choosing GopChang restaurant. Koreans usually grill GopChang or make stew with GopChang. I recommend both dishes but I will recommend the exact restaurants for grilled GopChang and GopChang stew.

Recommended Restaurant

   -Honam GopChang in Jongno 40 ga-gil 33, Jongno - gu, Seoul (호남곱창 in 서울특별시 종로구 종로 40가길 33)

13. Sliced Alive Octopus (산낙지)

'SanNakGi' is sliced alive octopus. Koreans just slice alive octopus and dip it in red chili-pepper paste with vinegar. Some restaurants mix sliced alive octopus with raw egg and sesame.

Recommended Restaurant : SoonGwangShikDang in JungAhg 5 gil 31, SunCheon-si, Jeollanam-do (순광식당 in 전라남도 순천시 중앙 5길 31)
   Tip : Order SanNakJiBiBimBap (산낙지비빔밥) which is mixed rice with sliced alive octopus

14. DongChiMi GukSu (동치미국수)

DongChiMi GukSu might be surprising to some Koreans but most of them will agree that DongChiMi GukSu is very tasty noodle dish. DongChiMi GukSu is cold and refreshing noodle. DongChiMi GukSu is usually sold at Galbi restaurants.

Recommended Restaurant
   -SanJang Garden in DoshinGoBok-ro 1131-7, YeonSeo-myeon, Sejong-si (산장가든 in 세종특별자치시 연서면 도신고복로 1131-7)
   tip: order Galbi (갈비) and DongChiMiGukSu (동치미국수)

15. Grilled YeongGwang Yellow Corvina table d'hote (영광굴비구이정식)

YeongGwang is famous region for yellow corvina (fish). There are many grilled fish table d'hote in Korea. Among them, I think Grilled YeongGwang Yellow Corvina table d'hote is the best grilled fish table d'hote you can have in Korea.

Recommended Restaurant
   -DongSoYae in CheongSaRo 123 BunGil 38, Seogu, Daejeon (동소예 in 대전광역시 서구 청사로 123번길 38)
  -GalMaeGiShikDang in JinGuelBiGil 44, BuebSeongMyeon, YeongGwang-gun, Jeollanam-do (갈매기식당 in 전라남도 영광군 법성면 진굴비길 44)

16. DwaeJi DuRuChiGi table d'hote (돼지 두루치기 정식)

DwaeJi means pork. DuRuChiGi means cooking method of cooking pork or other meat with bean sprouts, mushroom, and other vegetables with peppered soup. Koreans love to flavor meat with vegetables and pepper. 

Recommended Restaurant : JoogAhgShikYukShikDang in OkPo-ro 215, GeoJe-si, GyeongSangNam-do (중앙식육식당 in 경상남도 거제시 옥포로 215)

17. DakGomTang & Rice (닭곰탕 & 밥)

DakGomTang is one of my favorite food. I will explain DakGomTang as Korean chicken stew. DakGomTang is made with garlic, green onion, salt, sesame oil, pepper, and soy sauce. I like DakGomTang because I can feel deep flavor of chicken bone.

Recommended Restaurant : HwangPyeongJip in MaReunDae-ro 74, Jung-gu, Seoul (황평집 in 서울특별시 중구 마른대로 74)

18. TteokManDoGuk (떡만두국)

TteokManDoGuk is rice cake and dumpling soup. The soup is made with boiling beef bone for a long time and putting rice cake and dumpling in the soup. TteokManDoGuk is basically similar with KalGukSu, but the noodle part is replaced with rice cake and dumpling.

Recommended Restaurant : UemMaSonManDo in Olympic-ro 76 gil 19, GangDong-gu, Seoul (엄마손만두 in 서울특별시 강동구 올림픽로 76길 19)

    Tip : Order JeopSiMando (접시만두) and GimChi TteokManDoGuk(김치떡만둣국) 

19. KalGukSu (칼국수)

KalGukSu means all noodle dishes that are made with long wide but thin noodles mostly with noodle soup. I think KalGukSu is the most delicious traditional noodle dish in Korea. I highly recommend visiting KalGukSu restaurant.

Recommended Restaurant

   -MyeongDong KalGukSu in MyeongDong 10 gil 29, Jung-gu, Seoul (명동칼국수 in 서울특별시 중구 명동10길 29)

   -HuRuRuk KalGukSu in Banseok ro 11 burn gil 66-11, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon (후루룩손칼국수 in 대전광역시 유성구 반석로 11번길 66-11)

20. GalBiTang (갈비탕)

GalBiTang is basically beef Galbi (4th in this rank) stew. GalBiTang is made with beef rib, white radish, green onion, garlic, pepper grounds, salt, and soy sauce. You might think that it has strong taste of onion and garlic, but GalBiTang has little taste of onion and garlic. I would call GalBiTang as Korean beef stew.

Recommended Restaurant : GangnamMyeonOk in MyeongDong 7gil 8, Jung-gu, Seoul (강남면옥 in 서울특별시 중구 명동7길 8)

21. DoenJang JjiGae (된장찌개) 

DoenJang is fermented soybean paste and JjiGae is stew. So DoenJang JjiGae means fermented soybean paste stew with vegetables on it. Stew is a very very widely used cooking method in Korea and DoenJang JjiGae is one of the most typical stew in Korea. You can easily find DoenJang JjiGae served at SamGyeopSal restaurant. However, most SamGyeopSal restaurants don't really focus on DoenJang JjiGae. So they lack flavor of real DoenJang JjiGae. I recommended DoenJang JjiGae restaurant but ,if you're busy, you can find DoenJang JjiGae in any SamGyeopSal (1st rank food) restaurant.

Recommended Restaurant : NouDoNaDoShikDang in YangPyeong-ro 126, YeongDeungPo-gu, Seoul (너도나도식당 in 서울특별시 영등포구 양평로 126)

22. SamJin EoMuk (삼진어묵) 

EoMuk is fish cake and SamJin is famous town in Busan famous for fish cake. We've talked about fish cake at 50th rank. However, I wanted to introduce SamJin EoMuk individually as they are so good at making fish cakes. There are fish cake store all over Korea and I recommend you tasting SamJin EoMuk.

Recommended Restaurant 

    -SamJin EoMuk in Lotteworld (Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul)

   -SamJin EoMuk in TaeJong-ro 99bun-gil 36, YoungDo-gu, Busan (삼진어묵 in 부산광역시 영도구 태종로 99번길 36)

23. SiRaeGiGuk & UGeoJiGuk (시래기국 & 우거지국) 

As I've talked on DoenJang JjiGae (21st rank), stew is a very typical cooking method in Korea. SiRaeGiGuk & UGeoJiGuk are also one of the most famous Korean stew. SiRaeGiGuk means dried radish greens stew. UGeoJiGuk means outer leaf of cabbage stew. They are basically vegetable stew with some pepper. Sometimes, SiRaeGiGuk & UGeoJiGuk are made based on beef bone broth which increases the flavor of those stew.

24. KkotGeTang (꽃게탕)

KkotGe means crab. Tang mean stew. KkotGeTang means crab stew with various vegetables and pepper. Usually if you make stew with meat, you can get deep flavor. So is the crab. If you make stew with crab, you can get deep flavor. So when you drink soup of this stew, you can immediately feel the flavor. People usually eat soup with rice or crab meat with rice.

Recommended Restaurant : GgotJi in BongEunSa-ro 610, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (꽃지 in 서울특별시 강남구 봉은사로 610)

25. MaeSaengIGuk (매생이국)

MaeSaengI means seaweed fulvescens. Guk means soup. It's basically seaweed soup. We've talked about seaweed soup at 11st rank but this is different kind of seaweed. This seaweed is so soft and thin that you can not even tell if you actually swallowed or not. MaeSaengIGuk such a unique kind of soup. Even Koreans find it hard to experience MaeSaengIGuk as there are not many restaurants selling MaeSaengIGuk. It's very unique experience to try MaeSaengIGuk so give it a try!

Recommended Restaurant : MokCheonJip in HyoRyeong-ro 52 gil 69, Seocho-gu, Seoul (목천집 in 서울특별시 서초구 효령로 52길 69)

   Tip : Order MaeSaengYi KalGukSu (매생이 칼국수)

Top 10 Korean relics and where you can see - Korea Tourist Attraction

1. JikJiSimCheYoJeol (직지심체요절) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: National Library of France

JikJiSimCheYoJeol (in short JikJi) is the book printed by the oldest metal type in the world (confirmed by UNESCO). This book is about good phrases in many Buddhist scriptures. JikJiSimCheYoJeol was printed at Cheongju HeungDeokSa (청주 흥덕사) in 1377.

2. The Tripitaka Koreana (팔만대장경) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: Hapcheon Haeinsa Temple (합천 해인사)

The Tripitaka Koreana is made to defeat Mongol army (Jinghis Khan) with the power of Buddha during Mongol Empire. It is said that people bowed down every time they carved each words. The Tripitaka Koreana is the oldest complete collection of Buddhist Sutras in the world.

3. HunMinJeongEum Haerve (훈민정음 해례본) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: Kansong Art Museum (간송미술관)

As I said on other post, I personally think Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) is the greatest invention in Korean history. HunMinJeongEum Haerve is the book explaining why King Sejong made Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) and how to read and write Hangeul (Korean Alphabet).

4. YeonGa 7NyeonGa GeumDongYueLeYipSang (연가 7년명 금동여래입상)

Location: National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

YeonGa 7NyeonGa GeumDongYueLeYipSang is made in 539 at Goguryeo (B.C. 37 ~ A.D. 668). YeonGa 7NyeonGa GeumDongYueLeYipSang is the oldest glit bronze statue of the Buddha in Korea. This statue of the Buddha is influenced by Northern China and put a new spin on.

5. BanGaSaYuSang (반가사유상) & GeumDongBanGaSaYuSang (금동반가사유상)

Location: Both in National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

BanGaSaYuSang is the most typical statue of Buddha of East Asia in 6th, 7th century. As BanGaSaYuSang is very similar with wooden BanGaSaYuSang in Japan which is now thought that it is made in Korea, so BanGaSaYuSang shows Buddhism exchange between Korea and Japan during 6th, 7th century.

6. MuRyeongWangReung Gwan GgoMyeGae (무령왕릉 관 꾸미개)

Location: National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

MuRyeongWangReung is the most important royal tomb of BaekJae dynasty. There have been 4,600 relics found in MuRyeongWangReung and MuRyeongWangReung Gwan GgoMyeGae is one of the most typical relics among them. These MuRyeongWangReung Gwan GgoMyeGae is ancient coffin ornament.

7. BaekJaeGeumDongDaeHyangRo (백제금동대향로)

Location: Buyeo National Museum (국립부여박물관)

BaekJaeGeumDongDaeHyangRo is incense burner and the typical relic of BaekJae dynasty. This incense burner is image of a dragon snapping sacred lotus. BaekJaeGeumDongDaeHyangRo shows Buddhism and Taoism of BaekJae dynasty.

8. JoseonWangJoShilok (조선왕조실록) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: KyuJangGak Institute for Korean Studies in Seoul National University (규장각한국학연구소 in 서울대학교)

JoseonWangJoShilok is collection of books about what when why how did everything happened during Joseon dynasty (1392 A.D. ~ 1897 A.D.) for 25 kings. JoseonWangJoShilok has contents containing Politics, Diplomacy, Defense, System, Law, Economy, Industry, Transportation, Communication, Society, Culture, Astronomy, Geography, Music, Science, Medicine, Literature, Arts, Crafts, Theology, Ethics, Religion. This is why JoseonWangJoShilok is highly valuable historically.

9. DongEiBoGam (동의보감) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: National Library of Korea (국립중앙도서관)

DongEiBoGam is Korean traditional medical book written by Heo Jun in 1610. DongEiBoGam is the fundamental book of Korean medicine. Before DongEiBoGam was  written, all medical books were imported from China and was based on Chinese medicinal herbs. So people had hard time curing themselves. DongEiBoGam is based on Korean medicinal herbs and based on Korean treatment. DongEiBoGam was also one of the oldest medical books to emphasis on preventive medicine.

10. AngGuEilBu (앙부일구), HonChunEui (혼천의), ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo (천상분야열차지도)

Location: GwangHwaMun Square (AngGuIlBu, HonChunEui), Busan Metropolitan City Museum, National Palace Museum of Korea(ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo)

This is AngGuIlBu. It is basically sundial (solar clock). People read where is the shadow and read the time. Measuring time was very important for agricultural reason. AngGuIlBu was the most widely supplied clock during Joseon dynasty (1392 A.D. ~ 1897 A.D.).

This is HonChunEui. HonChunEui was used to measure movement and location of celestial bodies. HonChunEui was also used as astronomical clock. HonChunEui was also used for making calendar.

This is ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo. As you may have already predicted, ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo is drawing of the sky drawn in 1395. ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo is one of the oldest astronomical chart.

Korean Public Transportation System (From Seoul to Jeju Island)

1] For distant trip



   1. Train
      1) KTX & KTX Sancheon (산천) & SRT
          -Average Speed: 250 ~ 300 km/h
          -Price: Seoul to Daejeon is 30,000 won, Seoul to Busan is 50,000 won
          -Seat: Comfortable
          -Time: Seoul to Daejeon is 50 min , Seoul to Busan is 3 hours

      2) ITX Saemaeul (ITX 새마을)
          -Average Speed: 150 km/h
          -Price: Seoul to Daejeon is 16,000 won, Seoul to Busan is 42,600 won
          -Seat: Relatively Comfortable
          -Time: Seoul to Daejeon is 2 hours , Seoul to Busan is 5 hours

      3) MugungHwa-ho (무궁화호)
          -Average Speed: 100 km/h
          -Price: Seoul to Daejeon is 10,800 won, Seoul to Busan is 28,600 won
          -Seat: Nearly Comfortable
          -Time: Seoul to Daejeon is 2 hours , Seoul to Busan is 5 hours and 30 min

   2. Express Bus (고속버스)
          -Average Speed: 100 km/h
          -Price
           [Wudeung (우등) means comfortable seat]
           Seoul to Daejeon is 14,200 won, Seoul to Busan is 34,200 won
           [IlBan (일반) means average seat (not recommended)]
           Seoul to Daejeon is 9,700 won, Seoul to Busan is 23,000 won
          -Seat: Wudeung is comfortable, IlBan is not comfortable
          -Time: Seoul to Daejeon is 1 hours and 45 minutes , Seoul to Busan is 4 hours and 15 min

   3. Cruise Ship (여객선)
      Cruise ships are usually taken to go to island like Ulleongdo Island and Jeju Island.         [Cruise ships for Ulleongdo]
         1) Pohang to Ulleongdo Island
            Time: 3 ~ 4 hours
            Price: 56,200 won (From Pohang to Ulleongdo Island) 54,700 won (From                       Ulleongdo Island to Pohang)
            Terminal: Pohang Cruise ship terminal (포항여객선터미널)

   4. Airlines (비행기)
      Air planes are usually taken when going distant location such as Seoul to Busan,           Seoul to GwangJu, or Seoul to Jeju Island.
         1) Gimpo Domestic Airport to Jeju International Airport
            Time: 50 min
            Price: 40,000 won ~ 130,000 won (Different by seat, airline, and peak season)
            Gimpo Domestic Airport is in the west of Seoul and Subway 9 line goes the airport

2] For regional trip

If you have plan to take public transportation for regional trip, make sure to but T-money card which is used to take subway, bus, and even taxi. Although, you can just give money whenever you take transportation, I think T-money card would be more useful as it is easier to just tag your card on you way in to the subway or bus rather than asking how much is the pay for the subway or bus every time you take.



   1. Subway (지하철)
      If you want to go somewhere quickly, I recommend taking subway. Unlike bus, subway doesn't go slow while heavy traffic. However, it might be a little uncomfortable as there are not many seats in Korean subway.

   2. Bus (버스)
      If you want to see the sights and sometimes get off and experience tourist attractions in the city, I recommend taking bus. However, bus can be very uncomfortable during heavy traffic (usually near noon and dinner time).

   3. Taxi (택시)
      Taxi is good option if you need to go somewhere really quick (although sometimes taxi is slower than bus). If you are foreigner, I do not recommend taking taxi very often unless you really need to take one. Because, as many taxi drivers are old, they are not very kind and sometimes make foreigners to pay more than when Koreans take the taxi with same distance.