Top 7 Must-Watch Korean Food Movies You Shouldn't Miss

Dan Sae Woo (Jung Ryeo Won) is a wealthy young woman with a passion for horseback riding and fencing. Her life takes an interesting turn when she meets Seo Poong (Junho), a charming chef, and Doo Chil Sung (Jang Hyuk), a tough gangster. Seo Poong is a talented cook who creates irresistible dishes, while Doo Chil Sung is a man of action with powerful punches and kicks. Despite their different backgrounds, their fates intertwine at the small Hungry Wok restaurant, where they create a heartwarming and comedic culinary journey filled with romance and unforgettable moments.

• Release Year: 07/05/2018
• Genre: Romance, Comedy
• Episodes: 38
• Duration: 35 minutes/episode
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
• Director: Park Seon Ho
• Cast: Jang Hyuk, Lee Jun Ho

Kimchi Family tells the story of two sisters, Lee Kang San (Park Jin Hee) and Lee Woo Joo (Lee Min Young), who inherit their family’s traditional kimchi restaurant, Chunjiin, after their father’s passing. Their lives change when they meet a mysterious customer, Ki Ho Tae (Song Il Gook), who arrives at the restaurant searching for answers about his past. Orphaned as a child and now part of a criminal organization, his life takes a new turn as he begins to learn cooking at Chunjiin. Through the warmth of shared meals and mutual support, Ho Tae starts to heal the emotional wounds from his childhood.

• Release Year: 07/12/2011
• Genre: Drama, Romance
• Episodes: 24
• Duration: 70 minutes/episode
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
• Director: Park Chan Hong
• Cast: Song Il Gook, Park Jin Hee

This food-centered series from tvN follows the life of Goo Dae Young (Yoon Doo Joon), an insurance salesman and a food blogger with the nickname 'Food God.' Dae Young is kind-hearted but a bit boastful, with a passion for discovering delicious dishes from all around and sharing his experiences on his personal blog.

Watching this series feels more like a food show than a traditional drama. Let’s Eat has been praised for healing the souls of viewers, offering a refreshing break from the usual melodramas and political thrillers. The first season has 16 episodes, the second 18 episodes, and the third 14 episodes.

• Director: Park Joon Hwa
• Status: Completed
• Year: 2013
• Country: South Korea
• Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
• Cast: Lee Soo Kyung, Yoon Doo Joon, Shim Hyung Tak, Yoon So Hee...

Park Sae Ro Yi (Park Seo Joon) is expelled from school on his first day after punching Jang Geun Won (Ahn Bo Hyun), the son of Jangga Group's chairman, Jang Dae Hee (Yoo Jae Myung), who also happens to be his class bully. After working at a restaurant with his father, tragedy strikes when Sae Ro Yi’s father dies in a hit-and-run accident caused by Geun Won. At his father’s funeral, Sae Ro Yi confronts the culprit and attempts to kill him, only to be stopped by Soo Ah and the police.

Sent to prison for attempted murder while Geun Won walks free, Sae Ro Yi refuses to give up. Determined to rebuild his life and fulfill his late father’s dreams, he starts from scratch. Upon his release, he opens a bar named DanBam in the vibrant district of Itaewon, recruiting a team of loyal staff to help him achieve success and build a brand that could one day challenge the Jang family’s empire—who are responsible for the miseries that have shaped his life.

• Release Date: 31/01/2020
• Genre: Romance, Drama
• Episodes: 16
• Duration: 70 minutes/episode
• IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
• Director: Kim Sung Yoon
• Cast: Park Seo Joon, Kim Da Mi

Directed by Lee Byung Hoon, this 54-episode drama is set in the Joseon Dynasty and tells the story of Dae Jang Geum (Lee Young Ae), an orphan who works in the royal kitchen. Overcoming numerous hardships, she becomes the first female royal physician in the palace, using food as a means of healing.

Based on the true story of the first female royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty, the drama captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and star-studded cast. With a production budget of approximately $15 million, it quickly became a nationwide sensation in South Korea, achieving a staggering 57% viewership rating. The series went on to gross nearly $40 million from international airings, setting a record that remains unbeaten to this day.

• IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
• Release Date: 15/09/2003
• Genre: Historical
• Episodes: 54
• Director: Kim Keun Hong
• Cast: Lee Young Ae, Ji Jin-hee

In Pasta, Seo Yoo Kyung (Kong Hyo Jin) dreams of becoming a chef specializing in Italian cuisine. She starts as a kitchen assistant at the Italian restaurant La Sfera, where her duties include washing dishes, cleaning, taking out trash, and sharpening knives.

Despite spending years in this humble role, Yoo Kyung never gets bored. She believes that creating a great dish requires both skill and passion. Eventually, she gets the chance to cook, but she clashes with the head chef, Choi Hyun Wook (Lee Sun Gyun), who holds the belief that “the kitchen is no place for women.” The show blends humor, romance, and mouthwatering Italian dishes that will leave food lovers craving more.

• IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
• Release Date: 04/01/2010
• Genre: Romance
• Episodes: 20
• Director: Kwon Seok Jang
• Cast: Kong Hyo Jin, Lee Sun Kyun, Lee Ha Nee

Oh My Ghost tells the story of a shy kitchen assistant who has feelings for her cold and distant head chef but struggles to express them. By chance, she encounters a mischievous ghost with exceptional cooking skills.

With the ghost's help, the assistant embarks on a romantic journey with the head chef. The series cleverly blends Korean cuisine into its storyline, leaving viewers salivating over the mouthwatering dishes featured in each episode.

• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
• Release Date: 03/07/2015
• Genre: Romance
• Episodes: 16
• Director: Yoo Je-won
• Cast: Park Bo-young, Jo Jung-suk, Kim Seul-g