Korean food is becoming more and more popular around the world. Korean restaurants are opening everywhere, giving you a taste of what Korean cuisine is like. You’ve maybe already tried Bibimbap or Kimchi ! But Korean food goes far beyond this, and you can try so many other dishes while you travel. Therefore, let me show you all the must-try Korean foods you need to try during your trip!
Bibimbap – 비빔밥
You probably already know this one, but let me give you a quick overview : “비빔” (bibim) comes from the word “비비다” (bibida), which means to mix. On the other side, “밥” (bap) means rice or meal. So you can already imagine what this dish is all about !
Bibimbap is the most famous dish and definitely a must-try if you have never tasted it before ! This rice dish with meat and vegetables looks so simple, but is actually very flavorful. This comes from the cooking process; every ingredient is prepared separately to enhance its flavour. But when you mix everything, it creates an amazing balance. The most common combination is beef, carrots, spinach, mushrooms, and soybean sprouts. You can choose to add gochujang (spicy sauce) for a nice kick!
Barbecue – 바비큐
One of the top must-try Korean foods has to be Korean barbecue. You might think you already know barbecue; you’ve had it at home. I can assure you, you don’t know Korean barbecue!
Korean barbecue is not eaten outside in your garden. You sit around a table with embers or a grill in the middle and a hood above to extract the smoke. The choice of meat is usually quite wide, and some options can be quite expensive. However, the one you should try is 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal). This pork cut is the most famous and delicious.
The magic of Korean barbecue also lies in the side dishes (반찬 – banchan). The quantity and variety depend on the restaurant you choose, but you will most likely find yellow radish, kimchi, and lettuce to eat with the meat. The trick is to take a lettuce leaf, add some meat, a bit of sauce, and a bit of rice. Then fold everything together and eat it in one bite, truly amazing!
Bulgogi – 불고기
Bulgogi is a meat dish which can be easily understood through its name. 고기 = meat ! It is a sautéed dish with a slightly sweet sauce made from local ingredients like Korean pear and prune syrup. Usually, the dish is served with carrots and onions, along with a bowl of rice on the side. It might sound a bit too sweet, but the saltiness of the meat balances the sweetness of the dish. Just talking about it makes me hungry !
Bulgogi can also be a type of meat you choose during a barbecue. The only difference is that it comes alone, without carrots and onions.
Kimchi – 김치
The king of Korean cuisine and one of the most essential must-try Korean foods. It is almost impossible that you have never heard of this one before. Kimchi can be both a side dish and the star ingredient in a main dish.
Kimchi is made from fermented vegetables, usually napa cabbage, mixed with a spicy paste. The paste contains gochugaru (Korean chilli powder), garlic, ginger, and spring onion. Each leaf of cabbage is covered in the paste and stored for several days before you can enjoy its flavours !
Some of the most famous dishes made with kimchi are Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) and Kimchi Bokkeumbap (김치볶음밥). Kimchi Jjigae is a kimchi stew, usually with onion, tofu, and pork. Served very hot, it is perfect for freezing winter days. Kimchi Bokkeumbap is kimchi fried rice, also very delicious !
Pajeon – 파전
To me, this one was the most surprising. Pajeon looks very simple at first, just a vegetable or seafood pancake. But I didn’t expect it to become one of my favourites. Vegetables or seafood are cooked in a pan, and then the pancake batter is added. Everything mixes together well, and the oil creates a crispy texture. It is usually served with a simple sauce on the side, and the taste is truly amazing. You definitely need to try it !
Tip : If you are not a big fan of Kimchi, Pajeon is the easiest way to eat it. The spiciness and the fermentation tastes are much lower than those of raw kimchi.
Jjajangmyeon – 짜장면
This dish is originally not Korean; it comes from a Chinese dish. I must say, the first time I heard about it, I was very sceptical. The colour of the black bean sauce really put me off.
Myeon (면) in Korean means noodles, so that gives you a hint of the content ! Jjajangmyeon is a bowl of noodles with black bean sauce. The sauce is not made from black beans alone, but from a mix of vegetables and pork, creating a hearty combination. It’s very surprising and unlike anything you’ve probably tried before. So, don’t be scared and try it on your next trip !
Kimbap – 김밥
Kim (김) means seaweed, while bap (밥), as I explained before, means rice or meal. So this already gives you an idea of what it can taste like. Kimbap may look like Japanese maki from the outside, but it is quite different. The base is similar, seaweed with a layer of rice, but the rest of the ingredients differ. Usually, omelette-style eggs, ham, carrots, and yellow radish are added. But you can actually put anything you like in kimbap!
Fun fac t: Koreans use kimbap a bit like some people use sandwiches. It’s easy to take on the go and perfect for a picnic !
I have to say, I made these myself during a cooking class in Seoul, and I couldn’t be more proud ! They were very easy to make and delicious !
Japchae – 잡채
Made from sweet potato starch noodles and various vegetables, japchae can be eaten as a side or a main dish ! These noodles become glass-like as they are stir-fried with vegetables and meat. The texture is chewy and a little bit sweet, it is very yummy and quite addictive!
Tteokbokki – 떡볶이
Korean children’s favourite dish and probably the easiest one to find ! Tteokbokki’s main ingredient is rice cakes, which are coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. It is very common and easy to find on the streets, usually from small stands run by older vendors. It’s cheap, convenient, and best eaten hot at the stall !
Hotteok – 호떡
Since I can never finish a meal without a sweet treat, I guess I can’t finish a list of must-try Korean foods without a dessert either ! Hotteok is sweet, hot, and delicious, which makes it a perfect dessert anytime.
This dessert is like a pancake filled with brown sugar and nuts. As the dough cooks, the brown sugar melts and creates a caramel that coats the nuts. It is served hot with a hint of cinnamon, absolutely amazing!
Now that you know all the must-try Korean foods, make sure to try them on your trip ! And don’t forget to check out my other Korean tips to have the best holidays !
