Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the sheer variety of dishes in a foreign city?
Visitors often feel bewildered by the vast array of Korean food choices in Seoul and struggle to decide what to eat and where to find the best versions of those dishes.
As a result, travelers may miss out on experiencing the best of Korean cuisine, stick to more familiar or safe options, or even have subpar dining experiences that don’t fully represent the richness of Korean food culture.
But fear not, fellow foodies! In this blog article, I will introduce you to “10 Must-Try Korean Dishes” along with specific recommendations on where to eat them in Seoul.
Here’s what we are covering:
Let’s dive right into what Korean food to have in Seoul and where to best enjoy it!
1. Korean Barbecue
Korean barbecue is a beloved cooking method featuring grilled meats, typically beef, or pork – sometimes chicken. This style of dining often involves tabletop grills, either built-in or portable, allowing diners to cook their own food.
A cast-iron plate in the middle of the table allows groups to stir-fry the ingredients together, creating a communal atmosphere that’s perfect for bonding with friends and family.
Some popular cuts you might encounter include:
- Samgyeopsal 삼겹살 (pork belly)
- Galbi 갈비 (beef short ribs)
- Bulgogi 불고기 (thinly sliced marinated beef)
- Chadolbagi 차돌바기 (thinly sliced beef brisket)
The meat is typically accompanied by an array of side dishes called banchan, which might include:
- Various types of kimchi
- Seasoned vegetables like bean sprouts or spinach
- Steamed egg soufflé (gyeran-jjim)
- Green onion salad (pajeori)
To fully enjoy Korean BBQ, try creating a ssam (Korean lettuce wrap) by combining rice, meat dipped in sauce, and side dishes in one bite. It’s a flavor explosion that encapsulates the essence of Korean cuisine.
Where To Try
Choban Restaurant (초반 식당)
Address: 8-1, Supyo-ro 6-gil, Jung-guKorean barbecue restaurant that serves next-level pork belly and other beef and pork cuts.
2. Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki (떡볶이), a popular Korean street food, features small, cylindrical rice cakes called tteok (떡) or tteokbokki-tteok (떡볶이떡). These chewy delights are typically served with fish cakes, boiled eggs, and scallions in a spicy gochujang-based sauce.
While the spicy version is more common, you can also find milder soy sauce-based varieties called gungjung-tteokbokki (궁중떡볶이). Modern variations have expanded to include curry, cream sauce, jjajang (black bean sauce), seafood, rose (a combination of cream and spicy sauce), and even galbi-tteokbokki.
The dish has humble origins, created in the post-war era of the 1950s. Ma Bok-Lim, a woman in Seoul’s Sindang district, is credited with inventing the spicy version we know today. From these beginnings, tteokbokki has evolved into a beloved street food and comfort dish enjoyed across Korea.
Whether you’re snacking on it from a street cart or enjoying it in a sit-down restaurant, tteokbokki offers an addicting mix of textures and flavors that’s hard to resist.
Where To Try
Granny Ma Bok Lim Tteokbokki (마복림할머니집)
Address: Dasan-ro 35-gil, Sindang-dong, Jung-guThey serve OG-style Tteokbokki with lots of toppings, perfect for those who want to experience the dish in its most authentic form.
3. Bibimbap
Bibimbap (비빔밥), which literally means “mixed rice with meat and assorted vegetables,” is a highly adaptable Korean dish. It typically consists of warm white rice topped with seasoned vegetables (namul), chili pepper paste (gochujang), a fried egg, and often sliced meat, usually beef.
The beauty of bibimbap lies in its versatility. You might encounter versions like:
- Dolsot bibimbap (돌솥비빔밥): Served in a hot stone bowl, creating a crispy rice layer at the bottom
- Jeonju bibimbap (전주비빔밥): Known for its quality ingredients and special preparation methods
- Yakcho bibimbap (약초비빔밥): Featuring medicinal herbs from Jecheon
The dish is not just about taste, but also about presentation. The ingredients are often arranged to create a visually appealing display, with each component adding its own color and texture to the mix.
To enjoy bibimbap, mix all the ingredients together thoroughly before eating.
Where To Try
Mokmyeoksanbang (목멱산방)
Address: 71 Toegye-ro 20-gil, Jung-guThis Michelin-guide restaurant serves excellent bibimbap along with other Korean dishes. It’s located near Namsan, making it a perfect stop after exploring the area.
4. Kimbap
Kimbap (김밥), is a popular grab-and-go meal that’s perfect for picnics, school lunches, or a quick bite. The name comes from ‘kim’ meaning seaweed and ‘bap’ meaning rice, aptly describing this rice roll.
Unlike sushi, kimbap uses rice seasoned with sesame oil and salt, giving it a distinct flavor. The fillings are also different, focusing on cooked and pickled ingredients rather than raw fish. Common fillings include:
- Vegetables like carrots, spinach, and cucumbers
- Pickled radish (danmuji)
- Egg
- Cooked meat like beef or ham
- Imitation crab meat
There are many variations of kimbap, including:
- Mayak Kimbap (마약김밥): Smaller, unsliced rolls served with a mustard dipping sauce
- Chamchi Kimbap (참치감빕): Filled with tuna
- Chungmu Kimbap (충무김밥): Plain rolls served with spicy squid and radish kimchi
Where To Try
Wonjo Nude Cheese Kimbap (원조누드치즈김밥)
Address: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Gwangjang Market (Number 41), Jongno-guWonjo Nude Cheese Kimbap is one of the most famous sellers at Gwangjang Market. They serve nude (inside-out) tuna-cheese kimbap with an optional side of japchae (stir-fried glass noodles). This vendor rose to fame through Korean star chef Paik Jong Won, who praised their food in one of his shows.
Chick Gimbap Myeongdong (병아리김밥 명동점)
Address: Myeongdong 10-gil, 19-3, Jung-guOpt for this place if you want to try more elevated Kimbap and unique flavor combinations that are different from your average Kimbap.
5. Dakgalbi
Dakgalbi (닭갈비), which translates to “spicy chicken ribs” (though it doesn’t actually contain ribs), is a popular dish that originated in Chuncheon, a city in Gangwon Province. It consists of marinated diced chicken stir-fried in a gochujang-based sauce with ingredients like sweet potatoes, cabbage, perilla leaves, scallions, and tteok (rice cakes).
The dish has an interesting history, emerging in the 1960s as an affordable alternative to more expensive grilled meats. It quickly gained popularity among students and soldiers due to its large portions and low cost, earning nicknames like “commoners’ galbi” or “university student’s galbi.”
Dakgalbi is typically cooked at the table on a large, round iron griddle. The communal nature of the dish, with everyone gathered around the sizzling pan, makes it a fun and social dining experience.
To enjoy dakgalbi, use your chopsticks to pick up a piece of chicken along with some vegetables and rice cake. For an extra treat, try wrapping it in a piece of lettuce or perilla leaf to create a refreshing contrast to the spicy flavors.
Where To Try
Okkeunnae Dakgalbi (오근내 닭갈비)
Address: 15 Ichon-ro 29-gil, Yongsan-guThis popular spot serves traditional dakgalbi loved by locals. Be prepared for a wait during peak hours – it’s that good!
6. Bulgogi
Bulgogi (불고기), which translates to “fire meat,” is a beloved Korean dish known for its flavorful, slightly sweet taste. It typically consists of thinly sliced beef (usually sirloin or rib-eye) marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and other seasonings.
Bulgogi can be prepared in various ways:
- Grilled over charcoal for a smoky flavor
- Pan-fried for convenience
- Cooked on a tabletop grill at Korean BBQ restaurants
The meat is often served with lettuce leaves and perilla leaves for wrapping, along with various banchan (side dishes). To eat bulgogi, you can either enjoy it on its own or create a wrap (ssam) by placing some meat, rice, and sauce in a lettuce leaf.
The combination of tender meat, sweet and savory flavors, and the interactive eating experience makes bulgogi a must-try dish for anyone exploring Korean cuisine.
Where To Try
Insadong Chon (인사동 촌)
Address: 19 Insadong 14-gil, Jongno-guWhile known for its traditional full-course Korean meals (Hanjeongsik), they also serve excellent bulgogi in a beautiful, traditional setting.
7. Korean Fried Chicken
Korean fried chicken, often nicknamed “KFC” (Korean Fried Chicken), has taken the world by storm in recent years. What sets it apart is its ultra-crispy exterior and juicy interior, achieved through a double-frying technique.
The chicken is typically coated in a thin batter before being fried twice, resulting in a delicate, crackly crust that stays crispy even when glazed with sauce. Popular varieties include:
- Yangnyeom chicken: Coated in a sweet and spicy red sauce
- Ganjang chicken: Glazed with a savory soy sauce-based sauce
- Plain (or original) chicken: Served with various dipping sauces
Korean fried chicken is often enjoyed as anju (안주)– food consumed with alcohol. It’s common to see groups of friends sharing a plate of chicken and a few bottles of cold beer, a combination affectionately known as “chimaek” (chicken + maekju, the Korean word for beer).
To fully enjoy Korean fried chicken, gather a group of friends, order a variety of flavors to share, and don’t forget to pair it with some cold beverages. The contrast between the crispy, flavorful chicken and a refreshing drink is part of what makes this dish so popular.
Where To Try
Hyodo Chicken Gwanghwamun (효도치킨 광화문점)
Address: 21-1 Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-guThey offer unique toppings like dried anchovies (myeolchi) or lotus roots, putting a creative spin on the classic dish.
8. Jjimdak
Jjimdak (찜닭) is a hearty dish that originated in Andong, a city in North Gyeongsang Province. The name combines “jjim” (meaning braised) and “dak” (chicken), perfectly describing this flavorful, soy sauce-based chicken stew.
The dish typically includes:
- Large pieces of chicken, usually on the bone for extra flavor
- Potatoes, carrots, and onions
- Chewy glass noodles (dangmyeon)
- A sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and various spices
- Optional additions like dried red chilies for heat
Jjimdak is known for its balance of sweet and savory flavors, with a hint of spiciness. The long braising process ensures that the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender, while the vegetables and noodles soak up the rich sauce.
This dish is perfect for sharing, often served in a large pot in the center of the table.
Where To Try
Daeseongine (대성이네)
Address: 33 Yonsei-ro 5na-gil, Seodaemun-guLocated near Yonsei University, this restaurant is popular among students and locals for its delicious Jjimdak.
9. Naengmyeon
Naengmyeon (냉면), which means “cold noodles,” is a dish that’s particularly popular during the hot summer months. It consists of thin buckwheat noodles served in a large bowl with a tangy iced broth.
There are two main types of naengmyeon:
- Mul naengmyeon 물냉면: Served in a cold, icy broth
- Bibim naengmyeon 비빔냉면: A spicy version where the noodles are mixed with gochujang (Korean chili paste) and served without broth
Typical toppings include:
- Sliced cucumbers
- Korean pear
- Pickled radish
- Boiled egg
- Thin slices of beef
Where To Try
Pildong Myeonok (필동 면옥)
Address: Seoaero 26, Jung-guThis Michelin-guide restaurant has been serving Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon for decades. Its mild flavor might surprise those used to stronger tastes, but it’s incredibly refreshing during summer.
10. Kimchi Jjigae
Kimchi jjigae (김치찌개), or kimchi stew, is a comforting dish that showcases Korea’s famous fermented cabbage. Made with aged kimchi, pork, and tofu, this stew is known for its spicy, savory flavor that warms you from the inside out.
What makes kimchi jjigae special is how it transforms kimchi into a hearty, soul-warming meal. The fermented flavors of the kimchi blend with the rich broth, creating a complex taste that’s uniquely Korean.
Where To Try
Kimchi Man (김치만선생 동대필동점)
Address: 30 Pildong-ro, Pil-dong, Jung-guThis restaurant specializes exclusively in kimchi jjigae, demonstrating its dedication to perfecting this classic dish.
Bonus: Bingsu
After all these savory dishes, you might crave something sweet. Enter bingsu, a popular Korean shaved ice dessert. It typically consists of finely shaved ice topped with sweet red beans, fresh fruit, condensed milk, and often small rice cakes.
Where To Try
Any branch of Sulbing (설빙)
This popular dessert chain is known for its snow-like shaved ice and variety of toppings, including modern takes on Bingsu.
Tips for Foodies in Seoul
- Don’t overlook street food! It’s an integral part of Korean food culture, offering authentic flavors at budget-friendly prices.
- If you have dietary restrictions, be aware that Korean cuisine often includes meat, seafood, and soy. However, many restaurants are becoming more accommodating to various dietary needs.
- Step out of your comfort zone. Korean cuisine offers a wide range of flavors and textures – you might discover new favorites!
- Try traditional Korean beverages alongside your meals. From refreshing teas to unique alcoholic drinks like soju and makgeolli, these beverages can enhance your dining experience.
- Visit traditional markets like Gwangjang Market for a wide variety of Korean dishes in one place.
And there you have it – My recommendations of what Korean food to eat in Seoul and my favorite places to have them.
Remember, food is more than sustenance in Korea – it’s a way to connect with the culture and people. So dive in, try new things, and most importantly, enjoy your culinary adventure in Seoul!
Want even more restaurant recommendations? Check out my Ultimate Foodie Guide with 70+ Locations in Seoul here!
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