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VOL. 00143 Korean dishes to explore
Culinary Archive

What to eat
along the way.

Discover the best food in Korea, from Jeonju Bibimbap to Busan seafood. Use our authentic Korean food guide to find must-try dishes and local specialties.

Must-Try Korean Food: BBQ, Noodles, and Street Food

Exploring Korean cuisine beyond Seoul? Our guide highlights the best local dishes in Busan, Gyeongju, and Jeonju. Find solo-friendly dining tips, low-spice options for beginners, and the most iconic Korean street food. Learn what to eat in Korea with our detailed flavor profiles and regional food maps.

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43 Korean dishes to explore
Starter Archive
Essential entries for first-time travelers
Authentic Jeonju bibimbap with colorful vegetable garnishes
Ref. 1 | Vol. 001
EssentialMedium Spice

Jeonju Bibimbap

Authentic rice bowl mixed with seasonal vegetables, beef, and gochujang, a specialty of Jeonju. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
jeonju
Grilled Suwon galbi (beef ribs)
Ref. 2 | Vol. 001
EssentialLow Spice

Suwon Galbi

Premium marinated grilled beef ribs, a historic specialty of Suwon. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Best SharedBeginner Friendly
Origins
suwon
Andong jjimdak authentic brown soy-sauce braised chicken
Ref. 3 | Vol. 001
EssentialMedium Spice

Andong Jjimdak

Savory soy-sauce braised chicken with glass noodles and vegetables. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Best SharedBeginner Friendly
Origins
andong
Chodang sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew)
Ref. 4 | Vol. 001
EssentialLow Spice

Chodang Sundubu

Pure and soft tofu made using clean seawater, a Gangneung tradition. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
gangneung
Dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup)
Ref. 5 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Dwaeji Gukbap

Hearty pork soup served with rice, the ultimate soul food of Busan. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
Busan
Jeju black pork grilling at a Korean BBQ restaurant
Ref. 6 | Vol. 001
EssentialLow Spice

Jeju Black Pork

Succulent grilled pork from Jeju’s native black pig breed. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Best SharedBeginner Friendly
Origins
jeju
Authentic Jajangmyeon from its birthplace at Gonghwachun, Incheon
Ref. 7 | Vol. 001
EssentialLow Spice

Jajangmyeon

Wheat noodles topped with a thick, savory black bean sauce. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
incheon,nationwide
Busan-style milmyeon cold noodles
Ref. 8 | Vol. 001
Medium Spice

Milmyeon

Cold wheat noodles in a refreshing, savory broth—a Busan specialty. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
Busan
Abai sundae (Korean sausage)
Ref. 9 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Abai Sundae

Traditional northern-style blood sausage, a specialty of Sokcho. It is better after trying milder Korean dishes first.

Solo FriendlyMore Advanced
Origins
sokcho
Dakgangjeong glazed fried chicken
Ref. 10 | Vol. 001
Medium Spice

Dakgangjeong

Sweet, spicy, and crispy deep-fried chicken glazed in a sticky sauce. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
Sokcho,Incheon
Hwangnam bread from Gyeongju
Ref. 11 | Vol. 001
low Spice

Hwangnam Bread

Iconic Gyeongju pastry filled with sweet red bean paste. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
gyeongju
Kongnamul gukbap (bean sprout soup with rice)
Ref. 12 | Vol. 001
Essentiallow Spice

Kongnamul Gukbap

Refreshing and crunchy bean sprout rice soup from Jeonju. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
jeonju
Tteokbokki in spicy sauce
Ref. 13 | Vol. 001
EssentialHigh Spice

Tteokbokki

Chewy rice cakes simmered in a vibrant sweet and spicy sauce. It is better after trying milder Korean dishes first.

Solo FriendlyMore Advanced
Origins
nationwide
Kimchi jjigae served in a hot pot
Ref. 14 | Vol. 001
EssentialHigh Spice

Kimchi Jjigae

The classic Korean soul stew made with aged kimchi and pork. It is better after trying milder Korean dishes first.

Solo FriendlyMore Advanced
Origins
nationwide
Traditional representative Korean Bulgogi (grilled marinated beef)
Ref. 15 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Bulgogi

Tender, sweet and savory marinated beef grilled to perfection. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
Nationwide
Dakgalbi spicy stir-fried chicken
Ref. 16 | Vol. 001
EssentialHigh Spice

Dakgalbi

Spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables and sweet potatoes. It is better after trying milder Korean dishes first.

Best SharedMore Advanced
Origins
chuncheon
Sundubu jjigae extra-soft tofu stew
Ref. 17 | Vol. 001
EssentialMedium Spice

Sundubu Jjigae

Silky soft tofu stew served bubbling in a spicy seafood or pork broth. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
nationwide
Representative Seafood Kalguksu (knife-cut noodles)
Ref. 18 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Kalguksu

Comforting knife-cut noodles in a warm, savory broth. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
nationwide
Mul-naengmyeon cold buckwheat noodles
Ref. 19 | Vol. 001
EssentialLow Spice

Naengmyeon

Refreshing cold buckwheat noodles in chilled beef broth or spicy sauce. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
nationwide
Representative Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) at a Korean BBQ restaurant
Ref. 20 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Samgyeopsal

Korea's favorite grilled pork belly, served with ssam wraps. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Best SharedBeginner Friendly
Origins
Nationwide
Representative plate of freshly prepared Gimbap
Ref. 21 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Gimbap

Versatile seaweed rice rolls filled with colorful vegetables and meat. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
Nationwide
Warm bowl of Haejang-guk (Korean hangover soup)
Ref. 22 | Vol. 001
Medium Spice

Haejang-guk

Nourishing 'hangover soup' with ox bone broth and vegetables. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
Nationwide
A plate of representative Korean Mandu (dumplings)
Ref. 23 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Mandu

Classic Korean dumplings, steamed or fried, filled with meat and herbs. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
Nationwide
Haemul-pajeon (seafood green onion pancake)
Ref. 24 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Pajeon

Savory green onion pancake, often with seafood, enjoyed on rainy days. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Best SharedBeginner Friendly
Origins
Nationwide
Representative Bossam platter with pork and napa wraps
Ref. 25 | Vol. 001
Medium Spice

Bossam

Tender boiled pork belly served with fresh kimchi and wraps. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Best SharedBeginner Friendly
Origins
Nationwide
Rich and spicy Gamja-tang (pork bone soup) in a stone pot
Ref. 26 | Vol. 001
High Spice

Gamja-tang

Hearty pork bone soup with potatoes and aromatic perilla seeds. It is better after trying milder Korean dishes first.

Best SharedMore Advanced
Origins
Nationwide
Healthy Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup)
Ref. 27 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Samgyetang

Whole young chicken soup stuffed with ginseng, rice, and dates. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
Nationwide
Yukhoe (beef tartare)
Ref. 28 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Yukhoe

Seasoned raw beef tartare with sesame oil and crisp pear. It is better after trying milder Korean dishes first.

Solo FriendlyMore Advanced
Origins
Nationwide
Hotteok (sweet filled pancake)
Ref. 29 | Vol. 001
EssentialLow Spice

Hotteok

Sweet pan-fried pancake with a cinnamon and sugar filling. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
busan,nationwide
Doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew)
Ref. 30 | Vol. 001
EssentialLow Spice

Doenjang Jjigae

Rich soybean paste stew with tofu and vegetables. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
nationwide
Seolleongtang (ox bone soup)
Ref. 31 | Vol. 001
EssentialLow Spice

Seolleongtang

Creamy white ox bone soup with thin noodles and beef slices. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
seoul,nationwide
Galbitang (short rib soup)
Ref. 32 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Galbitang

Clear and nourishing short rib soup with tender beef. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
nationwide
Bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastry)
Ref. 33 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Bungeoppang

Fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean or custard. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
nationwide
Representative Twigim (Korean fried snacks) - Fried Shrimp
Ref. 34 | Vol. 001
Medium Spice

Twigim

Assorted Korean-style fried snacks, crisp and savory. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
nationwide
Gyeran-ppang (egg bread)
Ref. 35 | Vol. 001
Low Spice

Gyeran-ppang

Warm and sweet street bread baked with a whole egg. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
nationwide
Jeonbok-juk (abalone porridge)
Ref. 36 | Vol. 001
EssentialLow Spice

Abalone Porridge

Rich and nourishing abalone porridge from Jeju Island. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
jeju
Ssambap (rice wraps) with various side dishes
Ref. 37 | Vol. 001
Essentiallow Spice

Ssambap

Fresh and healthy rice wraps with diverse side dishes and greens. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
gyeongju
Jeonju-style choco pie — a signature Korean bakery confection
Ref. 38 | Vol. 001
low Spice

Jeonju Choco Pie

Handmade Jeonju-style choco pie with walnuts and cream. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
jeonju
Coffee culture at Anmok Beach Coffee Street, Gangneung
Ref. 39 | Vol. 001
low Spice

Gangneung Coffee

World-class coffee culture along Gangneung’s scenic coastline. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
gangneung
Heotjesabap (traditional Andong ceremonial rice dish)
Ref. 40 | Vol. 001
low Spice

Heotjesabap

Traditional ritual-style rice dish unique to Andong. It is better after trying milder Korean dishes first.

Solo FriendlyMore Advanced
Origins
andong
Authentic Makchang-gui (grilled intestines)
Ref. 41 | Vol. 001
medium Spice

Makchang

Crispy grilled intestines, a legendary soul food of Daegu. It is better after trying milder Korean dishes first.

Best SharedMore Advanced
Origins
daegu
Napjak-mandu (flat dumplings)
Ref. 42 | Vol. 001
low Spice

Napjak Mandu

Flat, fried dumplings that are a staple of Daegu markets. It is generally approachable for first-time travelers.

Solo FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Origins
daegu
Jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup)
Ref. 43 | Vol. 001
Essentialhigh Spice

Jjamppong

Spicy seafood noodle soup with a deep, smoky broth. It is better after trying milder Korean dishes first.

Solo FriendlyMore Advanced
Origins
incheon,nationwide