Buzz
1. Kimchi
Kimchi may seem very familiar to all of us, but truly, this is a dish you must try in Korea! Kimchi is one of the oldest side dishes in Korean meals, and it is also a cultural symbol of the country. Essentially, kimchi is fermented spicy and sour vegetables, prepared from a variety of ingredients, many types of vegetables.
However, the main ingredient of this dish is cabbage. @to.linh.95
It's not an exaggeration to say that kimchi is the quintessential Korean delicacy, as many tourists are captivated by the unique, crisp freshness, tangy sourness, and a hint of spiciness of this dish. Moreover, this Korean delicacy is nutritionally valuable, containing plenty of fiber and few calories.
A Korean meal would not be complete without the familiar kimchi. @internet
Kimchi cabbage. @dapurkorea88
Not only served as a side dish, kimchi is also an indispensable component in many Korean dishes. @healthymetaboliccooking
Above all, this dish has become one of the symbols of Korean cuisine. It's no wonder we often call Korea the “land of kimchi,” right?
2. Bibimbap (Mixed Rice)
Bibimbap is basically a dish that combines a variety of ingredients, typically including rice, namul (seasoned vegetables), mushrooms, beef, soy sauce, gochujang (Korean chili paste), and fried egg. The components in this Korean delicacy can vary by region, and the most famous and familiar bibimbap dishes to us are often from Jeonju, Tongyeong, and Jinju.
Bibimbap mixed rice is one of the most popular and well-known dishes in Korea. @southgatephilly
With a variety of ingredients creating vibrant and eye-catching colors, bibimbap is not just a dish but also a true work of art. @confuzzl3don3
Another version of bibimbap. @Kim Jiho
However, bibimbap is not limited to the ingredients mentioned above. It can be varied and modified to suit each person's taste.
Bulgogi (Marinated Grilled Beef)
Another Korean delicacy you must try is bulgogi. This beef dish is one of the most famous in Korean cuisine worldwide, ranked 23rd among the world's tastiest dishes by CNN readers.
Grilled dishes always have an absolute allure, especially Bulgogi! @elis.eats
Beef is often grilled with garlic and onions to enhance the flavor, then wrapped with greens (perilla leaves or lettuce...) and served with Korean chili paste.
Bulgogi ranks among the top tastiest dishes in the world. @happyjungmi89
Just looking at it is already tempting enough; if you ever get the chance to travel to South Korea, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy this dish right on its home turf!
Japchae (Stir-Fried Glass Noodles with Vegetables)
Actually, Japchae is often served as a side dish in Korean meals, featuring glass noodles mixed with stir-fried sweet potato, thinly sliced vegetables, beef, and a little soy sauce mixed with sugar. Depending on the chef, some places may also include mushrooms or other ingredients in this Korean delicacy.
Japchae is a widely available dish in any Korean meal. @626nightmarket
Japchae is a must-try in Korea for its mildly sweet and appetizing flavor; it offers a soft yet not mushy texture with a slight chewiness from the glass noodles combined with the crunchiness of vegetables.
Many places have served japchae as a main dish because of its considerable allure. @quohk
Currently in Vietnam, many restaurants serve Japchae as a main course because many people have truly become addicted to the taste of this Korean delicacy.
5. Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancake)
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A more Eastern-inspired version of the Western pancake. @shinjungkorean
A delightful snack, a small taste of Korea, and also a perfect photo opportunity – all wrapped up in a hotteok like this! @vivi_rrr_
Its main ingredient is a thin dough filled with a mixture of cinnamon, honey, brown sugar, and peanuts. Hotteok is then grilled on a griddle, giving it a crispy outer shell while the inner filling remains incredibly soft. If you suddenly don't know what to eat while exploring the land of kimchi, remember this delicious Korean dish, its irresistible flavor will definitely satisfy you!
6. Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cake)
This is the real deal Korean specialty! Actually, Ddukbokki, or tteokbokki, is just a simple dish; but because it's so popular, almost mentioning Korea will unconsciously evoke images of spicy rice cakes.
You can easily find this dish along the streets of Seoul. @internet
Tteokbokki is a popular spicy dish in Korea made from cylindrical rice cakes, triangular fish cakes called omuk (or odeng), vegetables, and sweet chili sauce. It is often sold by pojangmacha (similar to a food cart on the streets). People love tteokbokki for its combination of spicy and sweet flavors.
Rice cakes are often eaten with fish cakes, quail eggs, sesame seeds, or cheese. @internet
This is a Korean delicacy worth trying, not because of its unfamiliar or familiar taste; but because of the sensation of enjoying hot and spicy rice cakes amidst the crisp and romantic atmosphere of Korea. You're not just buying rice cakes, you're actually paying for this wonderful feeling!
7. Seolleongtang (Beef Bone Soup)
A traditional Korean soup made from beef bones, meat, and beef brisket, seolleongtang is a local dish of Seoul, often cooked with salt, ground black pepper, finely chopped green onions, or minced garlic according to individual tastes. The broth is milky white and is usually served with rice.
A pot of beef bone soup with a thick, rich, and fragrant broth. @thrillist
If accompanied by a bowl of hot rice with Seolleongtang, no matter how cold Korea is, it will all be pushed back. @kim_jongkwon_
You can try Seolleongtang at many restaurants and eateries in Korea, and be sure not to miss this dish. You will be enamored with the thick broth, sweet and savory flavor, and tender chewy beef of Seolleongtang!
8. Sundubu-jjigae (Spicy Tofu Stew)
Usually served in a stone pot, sundubu-jjigae is an extremely popular spicy stew in Korea with main ingredients often including tofu (dubu), vegetables, mushrooms, seafood, beef or pork, and chili paste. Depending on the region and the cook, some ingredients are added or substituted.
After cracking a raw egg, diners will beat the egg into the stew to enhance the flavor. @uptownmunch
Despite its various versions, Sundubu-jjigae still shares a common feature, which is after scooping it into a bowl, a raw egg will be cracked on top. When eaten, this egg will be mixed thoroughly with the stew to create the perfect flavor.
9. Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly)
Grilled meat always has a strong allure on the dining table, and in Korea, this is no exception. Samgyeopsal is one of the most famous dishes in Korea, consisting of slices of grilled pork belly.
Samgyeopsal is a beloved dish and a culinary pride of Koreans. @jungyuni.l
After grilling, the meat is dipped in sauce and wrapped with vegetables, a side dish for enjoyment. @dlgiselle
But what's special about this Korean delicacy is that the meat isn't seasoned or marinated beforehand. Once cooked, the meat is dipped into a seasoning made of salt and ground pepper mixed with sesame oil, then wrapped in perilla leaves along with slices of grilled garlic and onions, chopped green onions, and served with kimchi. This is one of the most popular dishes, easily found in any Korean restaurant worldwide.
You'll easily find grilled meat restaurants everywhere in Korea. @restdayadventures
In reality shows, promotional programs... you'll see quite a lot of appearances of samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) as a representative of Korean cuisine.
10. Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Pancake)
A 'upgraded' version of Pajeon (similar to Korean-style pancake), Haemul Pajeon is a pancake made with green onions, beaten eggs, flour, rice flour combined with seafood.
Korean seafood pancake. @nokweetwhistle
Typically, the seafood used will be shrimp, squid, and some types of clams; however, it can be added or substituted with others to suit individual tastes. Seafood pancake is usually served as a main dish and is loved for the softness of the pancake combined with the chewiness and richness of the seafood.
Some common seafood used for this dish are shrimp, squid, and clams. @thegriffinbar
11. Hobakjuk (Pumpkin Porridge)
Many people may not be very interested when hearing the name pumpkin porridge, but this is truly a Korean delicacy to try when you visit the land of kimchi! Hobakjuk is a traditional Korean porridge made from steamed pumpkin and soaked glutinous rice. Although it's quite simple, it has a very unique flavor.
Many Koreans often have pumpkin porridge for their breakfast. @kimchimari
Koreans usually eat pumpkin porridge in the morning. This dish can be served hot or cold, but people often enjoy slurping the hot porridge, especially on chilly days.
12. Naengmyeon (Cold Noodles)
Did you know there's a song in Korea called Naengmyeon?
Sometimes all the essence is poured into... a bowl of cold noodles like this. @w_foodtrip
Naengmyeon is a very popular cold noodle dish in Korea, consisting of noodles (usually buckwheat noodles), cucumbers, a few slices of Korean pear, beef, and boiled eggs. While the noodles are typically buckwheat noodles, potato or sweet potato noodles; sometimes they're also substituted with other types of noodles – and this depends on the type of cold noodles you order.
In some places, cold noodles come with spicy broth like this. @cataraxy
Cold noodles are the trendy dish in summer to cool off the scorching heat and the humid atmosphere characteristic of this season in Korea. However, if you visit at other times, you can still try it; because Naengmyeon is the pride and the must-try Korean delicacy!
13. Sundae (Korean Blood Sausage)
Korean specialty? One of them must be Sundae (or spelled as soondae). It's an incredibly unique Korean delicacy made from pig intestines stuffed with ingredients like noodles, pork, and barley. It looks and tastes quite similar to our blood sausage.
Korean blood sausage sundae. @mochipappa
Sundae and soju or a bit of beer is always the perfect combination! @legally_drunken
This dish also has many variations, with changes and adjustments to the ingredients depending on the regions and cities in Korea. However, despite the differences, sundae is still a mouthwatering dish with the chewiness of the outer casing combined with the soft, flavorful filling inside.
14. Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
Ginseng chicken soup is a popular Korean dish to eat in the summer. Samgyetang is a traditional soup made from chicken, garlic, rice, green onions, jujube, Korean ginseng, and spices. This dish is highly nutritious; but that's not the only reason it's a must-try in Korea, it's because of that rich broth and those tender, sweet simmered meat chunks!
Samgyetang is both a nourishing dish and a representative of Korean cuisine. @tangandnoodle
Also, to make your trip to Korea convenient, you can pre-book your hotel room with Mytour:
Through this list, which Korean delicacies are you looking forward to trying when visiting this country? And have you tasted any dishes right in the land of kimchi? Share with Mytour!
