Korean food is bold, flavorful, and full of history. For anyone visiting Korea, trying local dishes isn’t just about filling your stomach—it’s a way to experience the country’s culture and traditions through taste.
Here are 15 famous Korean dishes that every traveler should try at least once:
#1. Kimchi
No trip to Korea is complete without tasting kimchi. This is Korea’s national dish: spicy, sour, and full of probiotics. Made from fermented cabbage, radish, or cucumber with garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes, kimchi is served at nearly every meal. Its tangy, crunchy bite adds flavor to any plate.
#2. Bibimbap
Bibimbap means “mixed rice,” and it’s as colorful as it sounds. A steaming bowl of rice comes topped with seasoned vegetables, marinated beef, and a fried egg. Tourists love it because you can stir everything together with gochujang (Korean chili paste) to create a perfectly balanced bite—spicy, sweet, and savory.
#3. Bulgogi
Bulgogi is one of Korea’s most beloved meat dishes. Thin slices of beef are marinated in soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil, then grilled or stir-fried. It’s juicy, slightly sweet, and smoky. A must-try if you love tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef.
#4. Korean Fried Chicken
Korean Fried Chicken, often called “Chimaek” (chicken + beer), is a double-fried wonder. The frying method makes the skin super crispy while keeping the meat juicy. Coated in spicy, sweet, or soy-garlic sauce, it’s a perfect late-night snack that pairs perfectly with a cold beer.
#5. Japchae
Japchae is a stir-fried noodle dish that tourists often fall in love with. It’s made from chewy glass noodles (sweet potato starch noodles) tossed with colorful vegetables, sometimes beef, and a sweet-savory soy sauce. Light, fragrant, and satisfying.
#6. Tteokbokki
If you visit a Korean street market, you will see tteokbokki everywhere. It’s made from chewy rice cakes simmered in a spicy-sweet red sauce, served with fish cakes and green onions. This street food is loved for its comforting heat and chewiness.
#7. Samgyeopsal
Samgyeopsal is grilled pork belly, and it’s as much about the experience as the food. You sit around a grill, cook thick slices of pork belly yourself, and wrap them in lettuce with sauces, garlic, and kimchi. It’s smoky, fatty, and delicious—perfect for a group dinner.
#8. Sundubu Jjigae
This dish is a bubbling hot stew made with soft tofu, vegetables, and often seafood like clams or prawns. It’s red from gochujang (Korean chili paste), spicy, warming, and comforting. Perfect on a chilly day.
#9. Korean BBQ
Korean BBQ is not a single dish—it’s an entire dining experience. You grill marinated beef, pork, or chicken at your own table and eat it with an endless spread of side dishes. It’s interactive, social, and incredibly flavorful.
#10. Kongguksu (Cold Soybean Noodle Soup)
Kongguksu is a popular summer dish. Thin wheat noodles float in a chilled, creamy broth made from soybeans. It’s refreshing, nutty, and mild—perfect for cooling down on a hot day.
#11. Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
A favorite among locals, kimchi jjigae is a hearty stew made by simmering aged kimchi with pork, tofu, and vegetables. It has a deep, tangy flavor and is often eaten with a bowl of hot rice. Tourists love how this dish showcases the bold taste of fermented kimchi in a warm, homey way.
#12. Kimbap (Korean Rice Rolls)
Sometimes called Korean sushi, gimbap is a roll made of rice, vegetables, egg, and sometimes meat, all wrapped in seaweed. Unlike sushi, it doesn’t use raw fish and is seasoned differently, making it a great grab-and-go snack. It’s portable, light, and perfect for a picnic or day trip.
#13. Bingsu (Shaved Ice Dessert)
Sometimes called Korean sushi, gimbap is a roll made of rice, vegetables, egg, and sometimes meat, all wrapped in seaweed. Unlike sushi, it doesn’t use raw fish and is seasoned differently, making it a great grab-and-go snack. It’s portable, light, and perfect for a picnic or day trip.
#14. Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Pancake)
This savory pancake is made with green onions and a mix of seafood such as squid and shrimp, fried into a crispy, golden pancake. It’s crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Often enjoyed with a dipping sauce and a glass of Korean rice wine (makgeolli).
#15. Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
Samgyetang is a traditional Korean chicken soup made with a whole small chicken stuffed with rice, garlic, and ginseng. The broth is rich and full of medicinal flavors. It’s considered a health food and is especially popular in summer to boost energy.