Traveling Tips for Travel Beginners

1. Never visit dangerous countries
2. Do not rent a car if the country has nice public transportation system
3. Be cautious on strange or exotic laws that the country you plan to visit have
4. Eat the typical foods that native people eat
5. If you are planning to visit underdeveloped countries, never visit alone, always visit with group of people
6. Plan where you want to visit before you take the plane
7. Study history and culture of the country you visit and visit the largest museum in the country
8. Expensive hotels don't really have much difference with nice middle class hotel
9. Talk with native people. Experience how they think and talk
10. Always call to your embassy if you have any trouble during travel 

Top 35 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 35 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)

26. JeonBokJuk (전복죽)

JeonBok means ear shell fish. Juk means rice porridge. JeonBokJuk is ear shell fish rice porridge with some flavor on it. Koreans eat rice porridge when they catch cold or when they get old or sick. JeonBokJuk is one of the most typical Korean rice porridge.

Recommended Restaurant : BonJuek in Myeong-dong 9gil 10, Jung-gu, Seoul (본죽 in 서울특별시 중구 명동9길 10)

27. BoSsam (보쌈)

BoSsam is boiled pork dish. Koreans usually eat BoSsam with BoSsam kimchi ,special kimchi made for eating with BoSsam, or salted mini shrimp or cabbage. BoSsam is actually one of the eating habit of Koreans 'Ssam'. Ssam is eating meat with leaf and kimchi and garlic(sometimes) and other things you would like to put. You can think this as sandwich without bread. 

Recommended Restaurant : WonHalMoneyBoSsam in GangnamDae-ro 94 gil 68, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (원할머니보쌈 in 서울특별시 강남구 강남대로 94길 68)

28. GalbiJjim (갈비찜)

GalbiJjim means steamed rib. GalbiJjim is made with green onion, pepper, jujube, soy sauce, and sesame oil. You can think GalbiJjim as steamed rib seasoned with soy sauce. Jjim which means boiled food is typical cooking method in Korea and GalbiJjim is one of the typical boiled food in Korea.

Recommended Restaurant : YangPunYiGalBiJim in ChungRyeolDae-ro 181 bun gil 47-5, DongRye-gu, Busan (양푼이갈비찜 in 부산광역시 동래구 충렬대로 181번길 47-5)

29. PyeonYuk & SaeWu JeotGal (돼지고기 편육 & 새우젓갈)

PyeonYuk is cooking method. People boil meat and press the meat for long time and then cut the mean thinly. There are many kinds of PyeonYuk, but I will introduce pork PyeonYuk. People eat PyeonYuk with SaeWu JeotGal which is salted mini shrimp. PyeonYuk is usually sold at traditional market.

Recommended Restaurant : NamDaeMun Market (남대문시장)

30. DoToRiMukMuChim (도토리묵무침)

DoToRiMuk means acorn jelly and MuChim means seasoned salad. So it means acorn jelly salad. DoToRiMukMuChim is made with acorn jelly, cucumber, onion, lettuce, perilla leaf, pepper, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and sesame. This is not a jelly you experience normally. I think experiencing DoToRiMukMuChim would be very exotic experience for foreigners.

Recommended Restaurant : SupSokDoToRiMaEul in JoongAhg-ro 25 gil 46, YangCheon-gu, Seoul (숲속도토리마을 in 서울특별시 양천구 중앙로 25길 46)

31. GoGiGukSu (고기국수)

GoGi means meat and GukSu means noodle. GoGiGukSu is noodle dish with meat. GoGiGukSu is one of the typical food eaten in Jeju Island. You can feel deep flavor of pork soup. This food wouldn't be much exotic for foreigners.

Recommended Restaurant : Olleh GukSu in GwiAhRhang-gil 24, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (올레국수 in 제주도 제주시 귀아랑길 24)

32. DoToRiMukBap (도토리묵밥)

DoToRiMuk means acorn jelly and Bap means rice. Koreans make acorn jelly soup with kimchi and seaweed and mix with rice. I think this food is very exotic for most people. In DoToRiMukBap, you can feel softness of acorn jelly and sourness of kimchi and deep flavor of seaweed.

Recommended Restaurant : SupSokDoToRiMaEul in JoongAhg-ro 25 gil 46, YangCheon-gu, Seoul (숲속도토리마을 in 서울특별시 양천구 중앙로 25길 46)

   Tip : Order DoToRi MukTangBap (도토리 묵탕밥)

33. LA Galbi (LA 갈비)

LA Galbi is a type of Galbi eaten by Korean. The name was made because Korean people living in LA invented this kind of Galbi. LA Galbi is made with LA Galbi meat, soy sauce, seaweed water, onion, garlic, sesame oil, and salt. Although it tastes quite similar with normal Galbi, LA Galbi has great taste near the bone part.

Recommended Restaurant : JungTongUGeoJiTang in SaeChang-ro 42 gil 8, YongSan-gu, Seoul (정통우거지탕 in 서울특별시 용산구 새창로 42길 8)

34. SamGyeTang (삼계탕)

SamGyeTang is Korean boiled chicken stew. What is special about SamGyeTang is that Koreans just put a whole chicken in a stew. SamGyeTang is made with chicken, rice, ginseng, jujube, garlic, green onion, and onion. Koreans usually eat SamGyeTang during summer to enhance their body energy.

Recommended Restaurant : GoBongSamGyeTang in MyeongDong 7 gil 21, Jung-gu, Seoul (고봉삼계탕 in 서울특별시 중구 명동 7길 21)

35. GoDeungEoJoRim (고등어조림)

GoDeungEo means mackerel. JoRim means cooking method of boiling and seasoning with various sauce. GoDeungEoJoRim means mackerel boiled and seasoned with various sauce (usually pepper sauce) with some vegetables. Koreans like to eat fishes boiled and seasoned and eat the fish with rice.

Recommended Restaurant : SoMoonNanShikDang in DoRim-ro 141 gagil 32-1, YeongDeungPo-gu, Seoul (소문난식당 in 서울특별시 영등포구 도림로 141가길 32-1)

Top 30 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 30 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)

26. JeonBokJuk (전복죽)

JeonBok means ear shell fish. Juk means rice porridge. JeonBokJuk is ear shell fish rice porridge with some flavor on it. Koreans eat rice porridge when they catch cold or when they get old or sick. JeonBokJuk is one of the most typical Korean rice porridge.

Recommended Restaurant : BonJuek in Myeong-dong 9gil 10, Jung-gu, Seoul (본죽 in 서울특별시 중구 명동9길 10)

27. BoSsam (보쌈)

BoSsam is boiled pork dish. Koreans usually eat BoSsam with BoSsam kimchi ,special kimchi made for eating with BoSsam, or salted mini shrimp or cabbage. BoSsam is actually one of the eating habit of Koreans 'Ssam'. Ssam is eating meat with leaf and kimchi and garlic(sometimes) and other things you would like to put. You can think this as sandwich without bread. 

Recommended Restaurant : WonHalMoneyBoSsam in GangnamDae-ro 94 gil 68, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (원할머니보쌈 in 서울특별시 강남구 강남대로 94길 68)

28. GalbiJjim (갈비찜)

GalbiJjim means steamed rib. GalbiJjim is made with green onion, pepper, jujube, soy sauce, and sesame oil. You can think GalbiJjim as steamed rib seasoned with soy sauce. Jjim which means boiled food is typical cooking method in Korea and GalbiJjim is one of the typical boiled food in Korea.

Recommended Restaurant : YangPunYiGalBiJim in ChungRyeolDae-ro 181 bun gil 47-5, DongRye-gu, Busan (양푼이갈비찜 in 부산광역시 동래구 충렬대로 181번길 47-5)

29. PyeonYuk & SaeWu JeotGal (돼지고기 편육 & 새우젓갈)

PyeonYuk is cooking method. People boil meat and press the meat for long time and then cut the mean thinly. There are many kinds of PyeonYuk, but I will introduce pork PyeonYuk. People eat PyeonYuk with SaeWu JeotGal which is salted mini shrimp. PyeonYuk is usually sold at traditional market.

Recommended Restaurant : NamDaeMun Market (남대문시장)

30. DoToRiMukMuChim (도토리묵무침)

DoToRiMuk means acorn jelly and MuChim means seasoned salad. So it means acorn jelly salad. DoToRiMukMuChim is made with acorn jelly, cucumber, onion, lettuce, perilla leaf, pepper, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and sesame. This is not a jelly you experience normally. I think experiencing DoToRiMukMuChim would be very exotic experience for foreigners.

Recommended Restaurant : SupSokDoToRiMaEul in JoongAhg-ro 25 gil 46, YangCheon-gu, Seoul (숲속도토리마을 in 서울특별시 양천구 중앙로 25길 46)