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Eat Your Way Across Korea: 6 Regional Dishes Worth Traveling For

· 3 min read
Elena Vance
Elena Vance
Editor-in-Chief & Logistics Expert

Seoul may have everything, but it doesn't always have the best of everything. In Korea, every region has "Hyangto Eumsik" (local foods) born from its specific geography, history, and climate. To truly understand Korean cuisine, you have to leave the capital and follow the map.

Here is your culinary compass.

Eat Your Way Across Korea: 6 Regional Dishes Worth Traveling For

1. Jeonju: The Capital of Taste​

Jeonju is UNESCO-recognized for its food. If you eat one thing here:

  • Jeonju Bibimbap: Unlike the version in Seoul, the rice here is often cooked in beef leg broth for deeper flavor. It is served in a brass bowl with up to 20 side dishes.
  • Breakfast: Try Kongnamul Gukbap (Bean Sprout Soup). It is the ultimate savory breakfast.

2. Busan: The Soul Food of the Port​

Busan's food is hearty, salty, and steeped in history.

  • Dwaeji Gukbap (Pork Rice Soup): Born during the Korean War when refugees made soup from discarded pork bones. It is rich, milky, and comforting.
  • Milmyeon: Chewy wheat noodles served in icy broth. A local substitute for buckwheat noodles.

3. Jeju Island: Volcanic Ingredients​

Isolated from the mainland, Jeju developed a unique palate.

  • Heuk-Dwaeji (Black Pork): This native breed has a chewier texture and richer fat than standard pork. Dip it in Mel-jeot (salted anchovy sauce) boiling on the grill.
  • Galchi-Jorim: Spicy braised hairtail fish. The fish here are silver, long, and incredibly fresh.

4. Andong: The Noble's Feast​

Famous for Confucian scholars and old traditions.

  • Andong Jjimdak: A massive platter of braided chicken, glass noodles, potatoes, and vegetables in a soy-sauce base (Ganjang). It is savory and sweet, not red and spicy.
  • Salted Mackerel: Historically, fish had to be salted to survive the transport inland to Andong.

5. Chuncheon: The Spicy Chicken City​

Located in the lake region of Gangwon-do.

  • Dakgalbi: Spicy stir-fried chicken. You sit around a giant round iron plate while the server cooks the marinated chicken, cabbage, and rice cakes right in front of you. Ideally paired with Makguksu (Buckwheat noodles).

6. Sokcho: The Seaside Snacks​

A coastal city with strong North Korean influences (Abai Village).

  • Dakgangjeong: Sweet, crunchy, deep-fried chicken bites. The perfect beach snack.
  • Abai Sundae: A unique blood sausage made by stuffing a whole squid with meat, tofu, and vegetables.

Travel is about seeing new places, but mostly, it's about tasting them.