Top 15 must-try foods in Korea

International visitors to South Korea, welcome to a delicious food journey through the country!

While bibimbap and kimchi are known as the staples of Korean cuisine, the country's culinary world is much larger and more diverse. In this article, we'll introduce you to 15 traditional Korean dishes that are more than just bibimbap and kimchi. Each of these dishes embodies the country's food culture and boasts unique tastes and flavors.

Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is a spicy Korean street snack. It's made with rice cakes and fish cakes stir-fried in a spicy sauce made with gochujang, sugar, and soy sauce. Onions, green onions, and sesame leaves are often added for extra flavor, and hard-boiled eggs or cheese can be added to make it even more delicious. Tteokbokki is spicy and sweet at the same time, with the chewy texture of the rice cakes and the soft texture of the fish cakes blending with the sauce to create a rich flavor. This is one of the most popular Korean street foods and is perfect for a meal or snack.

Rabbokki

Rabbokki is a unique dish that combines tteokbokki and ramen noodles. Ramen noodles are added to the spicy sauce of tteokbokki and simmered until the rice cakes and noodles blend together. You can also add seafood or vegetables if you like. Rabbokki has a spicy, deep broth flavor that balances the chewiness of the rice cakes with the softness of the ramen noodles. It's a great choice when you want a warm, hearty meal.

Gimbap

Gimbap is a simple roll of rice, vegetables, eggs, ham and more wrapped in nori seaweed. Season the rice with sesame oil and salt, add your favorite ingredients to the nori, and roll tightly. Gimbap is simple yet flavorful, with a wide variety of ingredients that blend harmoniously to create a variety of colors and flavors. It's great for a quick picnic or snack and easy to take on the go.

Oden Tang and Soju

Oden tang is a broth dish made by simmering a variety of fish cakes with seaweed. In addition to the fish cakes, radishes, scallions, and green chiles are often added to add depth of flavor. The broth is rich and deeply flavored, and the lightness of the fish cakes and the flavor of the broth go well together. Served with soju, the flavors of the soup are enhanced, and the combination of warm soup and Korean liquor is a winning combination.

Sundubu Jjigae

Sundubu Jjigae is a mild and spicy broth dish made with soft tofu and spicy red pepper seasoning. It's simmered with seafood, meat, and vegetables, and an egg is beaten in at the end to add a smooth, savory flavor. Sundubu jjigae is spicy yet tender, with the rich flavor of the broth and the harmony of the various ingredients making it a great heart-warming meal.

Budae Jjigae

Budae Jjigae is a spicy stew with a variety of ingredients, including sausage, ham, beans, and ramen noodles. It is seasoned with gochujang, chili powder, and soy sauce, and then simmered together. Budae Jjigae is spicy and rich with a variety of flavors. The hearty and diverse ingredients combine to create a deep and strong flavor, making it a great dish to share with a large group.

Samgyetang

Samgyetang is a chicken soup made with ginseng, jujube, garlic and other ingredients. The ingredients are placed inside the chicken and simmered in water for a long time, giving the broth a deep, rich flavor. The broth is rich and deep, and the chicken is tender and juicy. The flavors of ginseng and jujube combine to give it a healthy taste, and it's recommended as a summer or fatigue-recovery meal.

Galbi Jjim

Galbi Jjim is a dish of beef short ribs marinated in soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. It is cooked for a long time so that the meat is tender and the flavors are deeply infused. It's cooked with vegetables to add flavor. Galbi jjim is characterized by its tender and deep flavor, thanks to the sweet and spicy seasoning that permeates the meat. It's a luxurious dish perfect for special occasions and family gatherings.

Korean Barbecue

Korean barbecue is made by marinating meat in spices and then grilling it over charcoal until it's crispy and juicy. It is served with a variety of side dishes to complement the rich flavors. Korean barbecue combines the juiciness of the meat with the aroma of the charcoal to create a crispy, succulent flavor. It's great to enjoy with a variety of sides.

Seafood Pajeon

Haemul Pajeon is a flour batter mixed with green onions and various seafood and fried in a pan until crispy. It is cooked in oil to create a crispy texture. It's characterized by its crisp and savory flavor that combines the aroma of green onion with the freshness of seafood. It's especially delicious when served with makgeolli, a Korean alcoholic beverage served on rainy days.

Jajang Noodles

Jajang noodles are a Chinese dish of vegetables and meat stir-fried in a black bean-based stir-fry sauce. The sauce is both sweet and savory, and the chewy noodles pair well with the sweet and savory sauce. It's a delicious meal and a great way to experience the flavors of Korean-style Chinese cuisine.

Chicken

Korean-style chicken is a chicken dish made with crispy batter and spicy or sweet seasonings. The batter is crispy and the seasoning brings out the flavor of the meat. Great with a variety of sauces and sides, experience the crispy batter and flavorful seasoning of Korean-style chicken.

Ganjang Gejang

Soy sauce crab paste is a traditional dish made with fresh blue crab marinated in soy sauce, garlic, ginger and sugar. The crab is marinated in the soy sauce for a long time, giving it a salty, rich crab meat flavor. Soy sauce crab offers a rich flavor with the salty soy sauce and tender crab meat. It tastes even better when served with rice, making it a luxurious meal.

Bossam

Bossam is a traditional dish of boiled pork thinly sliced and served with spicy kimchi. The combination of tender meat and spicy kimchi is a perfect match. The combination of tender meat and spicy kimchi makes bossam a hearty and delicious meal. Great with a variety of side dishes, it's a great way to experience traditional Korean flavors.

Yukhoe

Yukhoe is fresh beef thinly sliced and seasoned with sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar and garlic. It can be served with lettuce or nori seaweed. Yukhoe combines fresh meat with delicious seasonings to give it a deep, rich flavor. The savory taste of the sesame oil and seasonings brings out the flavor of the meat.

Korean food is distinctive to each region, using unique recipes and ingredients to deliver deep, rich flavors. We invite you to apply for KETA on the ETAPORTAL and experience the diverse flavors and culture of Korea for yourself.

We wish you a delicious and memorable journey!