The Top Food in South Korea I tried on my trip to the country

South Korea is a food-lovers paradise, with unique dishes of bold flavours and spiciness coming alive on the plate. Traditional side dishes such as kimchi bring even more flavour to every meal – it’s nearly impossible not to be satisfied by Korean cuisine! I was fortunate to experience these fantastic taste sensations firsthand during my visit in 2016; truly delicious memories indeed!

During the third trip to South Korea, I had the fortunate pleasure of trying many Korean Foods of different varieties, either homemade style, in restaurants, take away on a street vendor or a satisfying buffet that is well worth all you can eat fee; it was fair to say I was never left hungry.

The best part about dining and enjoying great food in South Korea is that a lot of meals seemed to have an authentic positive atmosphere to the occasion, where family, work colleagues or friends gathered with their Hite or Cass beer and gathered around a table to eat a whole bunch of delicious dishes that lay in front of them on the dining table. Dinner time in Korea can last hours.

With all this delicious food talk, what were my favourite dishes in Korea? Well, in this segment, I’ll tell you the Top Food in South Korea I tried on my trip to Korea.

Are you visiting Seoul to taste great meals for yourself? Book accommodation on TripAdvisor.

My top food in South Korea that will hit the spot on your adventures.

The Top Food in South Korea I tried on my trip.

I enjoyed sampling some fantastic local cuisine on my recent journey to South Korea. Here are five foods that particularly stood out with their unique flavours and textures

1. Shabu Shabu

If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable culinary adventure, I suggest sampling some shabu-shabu in South Korea. This classic Asian dish is trendy throughout the region – especially in downtown Seoul where I had my incredible experience. Whether for lunch or dinner, this savoury feast will surely tantalize your taste buds to no end!

Tuck in and savour the exquisite blend of flavours with thinly sliced beef masterfully cooked with succulent seafood, fresh vegetables and fragrant spices immersed collectively into a bubbling hot pot. Delight your taste buds further as you dunk each forkful into an indulgent chilli paste sauce for that extra pinch of explosiveness.

Shabu-Shabu is a Japanese meal made famous in South Korea.

2. Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ is a global celebrity among dishes, with dedicated restaurants in cities worldwide. But to experience it at its best means travelling back to Korea – this tantalizing treat features thinly sliced pork or beef cooked over an open flame right before your eyes and served straight from the grill!

Get ready for an unforgettable Korean BBQ experience! Savour the tantalizing flavours of grilled garlic, onions and mushrooms as you bite into a delectable meal. Make it complete with your favourite beer – the perfect accompaniment to elevate the evening truly.

Korean BBQ is a ten-out-of-ten treat when sampling food in South Korea.

3. Patbingsoo Shaved Ice dessert.

Patbingsoo, a cold dessert originating in South Korea, is quickly gaining food fame on the international stage. This delightful treat of delicate ice shavings and toppings such as fruit, nuts, beans, jelly and syrup is the perfect way to beat the heat!

The delightfully soft treat is becoming increasingly appreciated in different food cultures worldwide due to its sophisticated blend of flavours embraced by foodies everywhere. A fantastic food discovery from South Korea, anything Patbingsoo-related will surely be a big hit!

4. Bulgogi

No trip to South Korea is complete without a taste of Bulgogi – marinated beef grilled with onion, mushrooms and spring onions. This beloved local favourite comes with an array of signature side dishes that will make you feel at home in the country.

Korean Bulgogi is an ideal option for bringing people together! This dish’s widespread appeal in Korea and its convenient ability to feed a large group make it the perfect gathering delicacy. Enjoyed by locals and loved ones alike, Korean Bulgogitruly makes meals unique.

Korean Bulgogi is one of the most famous foods in South Korea.

5. Sundubu Jjigae

Sundubu Jjigae, also widely known as soft tofu stew, is one of the most well-known foods in South Korea. It is a spicy seasoned soup that consists of uncurdled and usually slightly fermented, firm or extra-firm tofu, vegetables such as onions, mushrooms, chilli peppers and scallions, Minari (water dropwort) and optional seafood or pork.

The hearty stew is often served to share with friends or family. It’s an accessible food item to create at home when you don’t have time to prepare complicated meals after a long day! It’s a comforting food whose authenticity comes from it being designed and appreciated in its simplicity.

6. Sun-dae – Blood Sausage

Koreans take “food-love” to a whole new level, and the proof is in their legendary blood sausage. On my trip to Gyeongbokgung’s side alleyways, I had the great fortune of trying this delicacy first-hand. As it turns out – a sundae isn’t just an ice cream flavour but also an unforgettable dish! The unique yet delectable flavour mesmerised me; no wonder they can’t get enough!

Sun-dae – the traditional blood sausage dish of Korea! This chunky soup won’t just tantalize your taste buds; it delivers an experience unique to this culture’s food. I encountered some trepidation with my first attempt, but why not take a bite out of local life and give it a go? After all, that’s what we’re here for.

One of Korea’s favourite dishes, Sun-Dae.

7. Kimbop Rice Balls

As a food popular throughout South Korea, Kimbop rice rolls are known for their colourful display and delicious flavours. Generally made with bright ingredients such as pickled radish, green onion, and processed meat, kimbap is a refreshingly light snack or meal that can easily be picked up on the go. The crunchy-soft texture of the thinly sliced radish combined with pickled flavours offers a unique sweetness that is difficult to find in other food items.

In the right hands, Kimbop rolls are an art form, with the traditional version featuring six to seven ingredients – including cucumber, shrimp and omelette – each finely chopped and thoughtfully arranged before being rolled together into bite-size morsels. Kimbop has established itself in Korean food culture and continues to be enjoyed by generations as a delightful food enjoyed on the go.

8. Galbi-Tang

Galbi-Tang is an iconic Korean dish, a deliciously comforting soup made with Rib beef, perfect no matter where you are. Its simplicity ensures it packs a punch of flavour that will tantalize your tastebuds without making you feel bloated and overstuffed. This is a quintessential example of why Korean cuisine continues to captivate foodies worldwide!

Enjoy a hearty beef soup with flavour and freshly cut spring onion. Complementary white rice is included – an essential ingredient for any actual Asian-inspired experience!

South Korea’s cuisine is full of flavour, from savoury stews to fermented delicacies. But which dish reigns supreme? Whether you crave spicy and piquant or something milder, it’s time to decide on your favourite Korean meal! Be prepared for some strong drinks as well—it has been known that sampling South Korea’s alcoholic beverages can prove...challenging. After all – no risk means no reward!

Related South Korean Articles:

Beautiful Things to Do in Nami Island, South Korea

10 Fun Things to do in Suwon, Seoul’s Neighbouring City

Incredible Day Trips from Seoul That You Won’t Want to Miss