Top 8 Non-Spicy Korean Dishes Every International Student Should Know

Saengseong-hoe is a fresh seafood dish that offers a distinct taste of raw fish. It's essentially a type of Korean sashimi, served with thin slices of fresh fish. Many restaurants in Korea offer this dish, making it easy for international students to enjoy.
The dish features the natural sweetness of fresh fish, making it a great option for seafood lovers. It's packed with nutrients, but if you're not fond of raw or fishy-tasting foods, you may want to skip this one. The dish is beautifully presented with vibrant colors, which makes it even more appetizing. While it’s a bit intricate to prepare at home, if you're not sensitive to spice, this is a nutritious option to try when you're in Korea.

If you love grilled seafood, Jogae-gui is the dish for you. This flavorful dish features a variety of grilled seafood, including grilled shellfish such as oysters, clams, and scallops.

Jogae-gui tastes even better when enjoyed with a drink, especially alcoholic beverages. The best place to savor this dish is Incheon, a coastal city in Korea. Rich in nutrients, this dish is perfect for seafood enthusiasts who enjoy trying new things. You’ll be delighted by the strong oceanic flavor of the grilled seafood.

Jajangmyeon, also known as black bean paste noodles, is a popular dish in Korea, especially among international students who prefer non-spicy food. The dish features noodles served with a savory sauce made from black soybean paste (chunjang), stir-fried with either beef or pork, onions, and other ingredients. The sauce is thick, dark brown, and has a rich, sweet flavor that has won the hearts of many food lovers due to its affordability, great taste, and convenience.

Jajangmyeon is often served with a variety of vegetables, ensuring a balanced and delicious meal that won’t leave you feeling heavy. It’s a great option for those who enjoy comforting, flavorful dishes and is well-suited to the tastes of many, including those from Vietnam.

Kal-guksu is a type of handmade noodle dish served in a rich broth made from meat, clams, or shellfish. For an extra twist, potatoes can be added to the noodles. If you're a fan of chicken flavor and want a heartier meal, try dak-kal-guksu, where a whole chicken is simmered together with the noodles.

There are many variations of Kal-guksu, depending on the ingredients served alongside it, but the most popular version is kimchi kal-guksu, where the noodles are paired with various types of kimchi, pickled radish, and mixed vegetables.

If you're looking to experience a variety of non-spicy Korean dishes in one meal, Han-jeongsik is the perfect option. This traditional Korean feast offers a lavish spread of soups, stews, fish, rice, and meat, all beautifully arranged. The meal is both visually stunning and packed with a wide range of flavors from the mountains and the sea, making it not only delicious but also highly nutritious. With Han-jeongsik, you get to enjoy a complete array of tastes in a single meal without spending too much.

Simple yet satisfying, Han-jeongsik is sure to delight. Fresh, high-quality ingredients are skillfully prepared to bring out the true essence of Korean flavors, and you can easily pick dishes that suit your preferences, ensuring you won’t leave the table hungry.

Suyuk is a non-spicy dish from Korea made with simmered pork that has been seasoned with ginger, garlic, and pepper. The pork is thinly sliced, marinated with these spices, and then slowly boiled for hours until it becomes tender and fragrant. The key to this dish's appeal is the long cooking time, which enhances the depth of flavor and creates an irresistible aroma.

Suyuk is easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying to eat. It shares flavors similar to some Vietnamese dishes and is packed with nutrients. This hearty stew provides all the essential nutrients needed for a productive day, and you won’t get tired of it, even if you have it multiple times. The tender, sweet pork combined with the rich, savory broth will captivate your taste buds from the first bite.

Bibimbap is a classic Korean mixed rice dish that originated in royal courts. Today, this dish is prepared in many creative variations. The non-spicy version of bibimbap includes rice, assorted vegetables, and a soy-based sauce or even butter instead of the traditional spicy chili paste. This modification allows those who can't tolerate spice to still enjoy the rich flavors of bibimbap.

You can also customize this dish with ingredients like rice, meat, sausages, yellow radish, carrots, cucumbers, eggs, mushrooms, and more, and even serve it with a little kimchi for flavor without the heat. This complete meal, filled with rice, veggies, and protein, is a great option for a quick, budget-friendly lunch for busy students. The ingredients are easy to find, and the preparation is simple—you just need to chop the ingredients, mix them in a bowl, and voilà! You've got yourself a delicious bowl of bibimbap.

Kimbap, also known as Korean rice rolls, is a delightful combination of rice and various fillings that transform a simple meal into something much more exciting. Since its introduction to Vietnam, it has gained widespread popularity among people of all ages, from the young to the elderly.

Kimbap is a beloved dish in Korea, and it has become quite popular in Vietnam as well. To prepare this dish, you will need a rolling mat, seaweed sheets, white rice, seasonings, and fillings like eggs, sausages, meat, yellow radish, cucumber, carrots, kimchi, or any other ingredients you prefer. Simply roll everything in the seaweed and you’ll have a visually appealing and tasty roll ready to enjoy.

The best part about kimbap is that it’s easy to eat, light yet satisfying, nutritious, and incredibly simple to prepare without much time or expense, making it perfect for busy students. Taking a bite of a perfectly rolled kimbap with rice, fresh vegetables, and savory meat or fish will surely deepen your love for Korean cuisine.