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A Foodie's Guide to South Korea: 10 Dishes & Markets You Can't Miss

· 5 min read
Kai Miller
Kai Miller
Cultural Explorer & Photographer

When people think of Korean food, they think of BBQ. And yes, grilling pork belly at your table while sipping soju is a religious experience.

But Korean food is so much more than meat on a grill. It's crispy mung bean pancakes sizzling on a griddle at 11 PM. It's bite-sized gimbap so good they call it "drug food." It's fried chicken so perfectly crunchy that an entire culture formed around pairing it with beer.

I've eaten my way through Seoul's markets, street tents, and hidden alleys. This is your no-nonsense guide to the dishes and places that will make you want to move to Korea just for the food.

A Foodies Guide to South Korea: 10 Dishes & Markets You Cant Miss

1. The "Big 5" Dishes You Cannot Skip​

These are the foundations. If you leave Korea without trying these, you didn't really eat Korean food.

Bibimbap (비빔밥)​

What it is: A colorful rice bowl topped with vegetables, meat, a fried egg, and gochujang (red chili paste). You mix it all together.

  • Pro Tip: Order Dolsot Bibimbap (served in a hot stone pot). The rice at the bottom gets crispy and caramelized.
  • Where: Jeonju is the birthplace, but you can find great versions everywhere.

Korean BBQ (고기구이)​

What it is: You grill your own meat at the table.

  • Samgyeopsal (삼겹살): Thick-cut pork belly. Wrap it in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang.
  • Galbi (갈비): Marinated beef short ribs. Sweet, savory, tender.
  • Pro Tip: Don't fill up on meat. The real magic is in the banchan (side dishes) that keep appearing.

Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개)​

What it is: A bubbling hot stew made with fermented kimchi, tofu, and pork.

  • Why it's great: It's spicy, sour, and comforting. Koreans eat this when they're hungover.
  • Where: Literally anywhere. Even convenience stores sell instant versions that are shockingly good.

Tteokbokki (떡볶이)​

What it is: Chewy cylindrical rice cakes smothered in a sweet-spicy gochujang sauce.

  • Street Food King: This is the #1 street food in Korea. You'll see it everywhere.
  • Pro Tip: Add fish cakes (eomuk) and boiled eggs for the full experience.

Korean Fried Chicken (치킨)​

What it is: Double-fried chicken that is impossibly crispy.

  • Yangnyeom (양념): Sweet-spicy glazed chicken.
  • Garlic-Soy: Savory and garlicky.
  • Classic: Just crispy, no sauce.
  • Best Chains: Kyochon, BBQ Chicken, Pelicana.

2. Gwangjang Market: The Street Food Mecca​

If you only visit one market in Seoul, make it Gwangjang Market (광장시장).

What to Eat​

Bindaetteok (빈대떡) - Mung Bean Pancakes​

Crispy, savory pancakes made from ground mung beans, fried on a massive griddle.

  • How to eat: Dip it in soy sauce with vinegar and onions.
  • Cost: ~5,000 KRW.

Mayak Gimbap (마약김밥) - "Drug" Gimbap​

Bite-sized seaweed rice rolls. They're called "drug" gimbap because they're addictive.

  • What's inside: Rice, pickled radish, carrot, sesame oil. Simple but perfect.
  • Cost: ~3,000 KRW for a plate.

Yukhoe (육회) - Korean Beef Tartare​

Raw beef mixed with sesame oil, soy sauce, and a raw egg yolk on top.

  • Where: Buchon Yukhoe is the most famous stall.
  • Is it safe? Yes. The beef is extremely fresh.

Kkwabaegi (꽈배기) - Twisted Donuts​

Deep-fried twisted doughnuts coated in sugar. The lines are long, but they move fast.

3. Chimaek Culture: Chicken + Beer​

Chimaek (치맥) is a portmanteau of chi-kin (chicken) and maek-ju (beer).

The Ritual​

Koreans eat fried chicken with beer on:

  • Rainy days (It's a thing. Don't ask why, just do it.)
  • Weekend nights (Especially after 10 PM)
  • While watching sports (Especially baseball or soccer)

How to Order​

  1. Go to a chicken place (Kyochon, BBQ Chicken, or a local joint).
  2. Order "Half-Half" (반반): Half Yangnyeom (spicy-sweet), Half Original (crispy).
  3. Get a pitcher of draft beer (생맥주).
  4. Enjoy the crunch.

4. Pojangmacha: Late-Night Street Tents​

Pojangmacha (포장마차) are tented street stalls that serve soju and snacks.

The Vibe​

Think of it as Korea's version of an izakaya. You sit on plastic stools, drink cheap soju, and eat fried food. It's loud, smoky, and perfect.

What to Order​

  • Tteokbokki (떡볶이): Spicy rice cakes.
  • Dakkochi (닭꼬치): Chicken skewers.
  • Eomuk (어묵): Fish cakes on a stick, served in broth.
  • Sundae (순대): Korean blood sausage (don't knock it till you try it).

Etiquette​

  • Sit down: Just grab a stool. The owner will come to you.
  • Point at the menu: If you don't speak Korean, just point.
  • Pay at the end: They'll tally up your skewers and bottles.

5. Other Must-Visit Markets​

Myeongdong (명동)​

Best for: Night street food.

  • Korean Corn Dogs: Coated in crispy fries or ramen noodles.
  • Hotteok (호떡): Sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar and nuts.

Namdaemun Market (남대문시장)​

Best for: Traditional Korean dishes.

  • Kalguksu (칼국수): Hand-cut noodle soup.
  • Mandu (만두): Korean dumplings.

Mangwon Market (망원시장)​

Best for: Local vibes (fewer tourists).

  • Bindaetteok, Tteokbokki, and fresh produce.

6. Pro Tips for Food Adventurers​

Spice Levels​

Korean food can be SPICY. If you can't handle heat, say:

  • "An-mae-weo-yo" (안 매워요) = "Not spicy, please."

Hygiene​

Street food in Korea is generally very safe. Vendors are regulated, and turnover is high (food doesn't sit around).

Cash vs. Card​

Many street stalls and markets are cash-only. Bring small bills (1,000 and 5,000 KRW notes).

Don't Be Afraid to Point​

If you don't speak Korean, just point at what other people are eating. It works.

Final Thoughts​

Korean food is an adventure. It's messy, spicy, and unapologetically bold. Don't just stick to restaurants. The best food is in the markets, the street tents, and the places where locals eat at 2 AM.

Ready to explore more? Check out our Budget Travel Guide to see how to eat well without breaking the bank.