Top 18 Korean Food You Must Try When Travelling In Korea

Korean food simply grows on me. In my recent travel to Korea last year, I had the luxury to try as many Korean food as I could wherever I go. Known for their fried chicken, ginseng chicken, ramyeon, BBQ and soju, this is merely an endless list if I were to continue. BUT, here’s some of my top 18 Korean food I would recommend to you and my friends when going to Korea. Don’t miss them out!

Top 18 Korean Food In Korea

1. Fried Chicken

A common sight in Korean dramas, Kpop celebrities’ endorsements, big chicken posters lining the roadside … Fried Chicken is what you will never (and should not) miss out in Korea! Like an never-ending fashion brand, there are so many different kiosks selling the fame fried chicken, original, saucey, spicy, cheesy, onion-y, you name it you have it!

Above was whole chicken from Yang Pang with really thin crispy skin; Below was a massive portion of fried chicken pieces topped with generous amount of onions!

2. Banchan

Assorted little side dishes comprising of kimchi, radish, bean sprouts, wakame … and so much more. Every eateries you go may serve up something a little different. But what’s most essential is the Kimchi, my favourite being eaten with meat wrapped in lettuce!

3. Ginseng Chicken (Samgyetang)

Another chicken dish again but with Ginseng (that’s what Korea is known for). The Ginseng chicken was stuffed with glutinous rice and red dates while the soup was tasty with flavours.

Ginseng chicken soup with Mandu was good too as the dumplings were soft and juicy from being soaked in the soup.

4. Ramyeon

Spicy Mandu Ramyeon, Seafood Ramyeon, Kimchi Ramyeon… Comfort food in a cold weather!

5. Korean Grilled Meats

BBQ is one big thing in Korea too. Forget the calories and go for the pork belly, beef slabs, marinaded chicken thighs, squids, prawns and mushrooms. Best savoured over a few glasses of Soju too!

6. Wrapped lettuce with meat

Feeling guilty? No worries, wrapped each mouthful of assorted meat in some greens, spice it up with some Gochujang or kimchi and there you go!

7. Pork Bulgogi

Thinly sliced pork stir fried with spicy Korean red chili paste.

Besides this, there is also the beef bulgogi for beef takers too.

8. Pork Bossam

The thinly sliced pork belly, boiled in spices, results in a super tender and succulent flesh.

9. Bibimbap

This signature Korean dish consists of warm rice topped with meat, vegetables, egg and Gochujang sauce.

10. Japchae

This sweet potato noodles stir fried in sesame oil gives off a really aromatic smell. Usually it is cooked with assorted vegetables such as sliced carrots, mushrooms, spring onions and some meat.

11. Abalone porridge

Though it may look simple, the richness of the taste was astonishing. Even the rice is puffy and soft on the tongue.

12. Steam egg (Gyeran Jjim)

Hot, fluffy and soft like clouds. One could easily polish it off!

13. Kimchi Pancake

Move aside dessert pancakes, we have here Kimchi pancake, seafood pancake, onion and leek pancake … Portion again was humongous (bigger than my face).

14. Gimbap

The Korean version of flavored rice rolled in seaweed with various ingredients like carrots, egg omelette and ham, and sliced into small portions.

15. Beef bone Stew

A very enriching broth with all the nutrients packed in from hours of stewing. Rich, nourishing, creamy and salty, every slurp is truly rewarding!

16.  Vegetable Stew

The vegetable stew is a healthy version though one can still choose to add in some meat such as pork tenders or beef slices to spice it up.

17. Seafood stew

Spot the abalones? Yes, there is also prawns, shells, tofu and some vegetables. Not forgetting the tableful of banchan and a bowl of white rice to go with.

18. Fish

Don’t forget to get some white meat such as the grilled Mackerel!

 

The list is never ending! But at least this one week trip has allowed me to savour much of what Korean cuisine is like. Definitely looking forward to further exploration in this beautiful country for her scenery, food, shopping and entertainment.

 

Korean Trip: Dated in January 2016