Want to try Korean food, but just don’t know where to begin? While you surely know how amazing Korean BBQ is, there are plenty of other Kroean foods you may not be aware of. While it wouldn’t be possible to try every Korean food in just a few weeks, today I’m going to show you 30 Korean foods to try in 30 days!
TIP: Click ‘See More’ to be taken to my YouTube video about this food!
Day 1: Kimchi
This is the ULTIMATE Korean food. It can be found at almost every table, and is served in various ways. This spicy, fermented cabbage is full of healthy probiotics.
See more: https://youtu.be/R7i9mMfP4AU
Day 2: Hanwoo Beef
This domestic cow isn’t cheap, but it sure is tasty! Be sure to splurge a bit and enjoy some wonderful hanwoo BBQ. This beef is unlike anything you’ll get at a normal BBQ restaurant. But you’ll definitely want to savor each bite!
See more: https://youtu.be/V1sZOB5wuhI
Day 3: Gamjatang
Koreans love hot soup, and gamjatang is some of the best! This spicy stew is served with various vegetables including potato. The star of the show is the big pieces of pork spine. Be sure to wash it down with a bit of soju!
See more: https://youtu.be/YRcaG7IUILM
Day 4: Kwabaeggi
This simple rice flour donut is deep fried and covered in sugar. It might be simple, but it is delicious! It has just the right amount of sweetness. My favorite place to buy it is in Gwanjang Market!
See more:https://youtu.be/YRcaG7IUILM
Day 5: Naengmyeon
Naengmyeon Cold buckwheat noodles in a light broth, served with picked radish and cucumber (EWW! Not for me!). Goes perfect on a hot summer’s day!
Day 6: Eumok
This street food is especially popular in the winter time. This is a fish cake on a skewer (be careful!). As a bonus, you can help yourself to some wonderful broth! It is light and refreshing.
See more:https://youtu.be/YRcaG7IUILM
Day 7: San Nakji
Not for the faint of heart! San Nakji is ‘live octopus’. A small octopus is cut up, doused in sesame oil, and served just seconds later. Watch as the tentacles dance around the plate. Are you brave enough to try this delicacy?
See more: https://youtu.be/SMDpHrd8cSE
Day 8: Mandu
Mandu are Korean style dumplings. They can contain various fillings, and can be cooked in many different ways. My preferred way to eat them is steamed and filled with kimchi.
For the best mandu, head to Namdaemun Market in Seoul.
Day 9: Kalguksu
While you’re at Nadaemun Market, stop by Kalkugsu Alley. These vendors are serving up knife cut noodles that are boiled in an anchovy stock. The noodles are soft yet a bit firm. They don’t have a ton of flavor, but are the ultimate comfort food on a cold day.
Day 10: Hoddeok
An amazing Korean dessert! These pancakes are stuffed with sugar, nuts, and various spices, and fried. Be careful when you bite into them as the inside is full of wonderful (yet HOT) syrupy filling!
See more: https://youtu.be/G6RVguUDBeg
Day 11: Hoe
Korean style raw fish makes for a great dinner with friends. Head to Noryangjin Fish Market to choose a fish out of the tank. Pair this with some soju, and you have a great feast!
Day 12: Korean Fried Chicken
Do I really need to explain how good this is? Probably not. But you probably shouldn’t wait until the 12th day to try it either! Be sure to try 치맥 – Chicken and Beer. While this might sound like an odd combination – you’ll love it!
Day 13: Bulgogi
If you ask most Koreans what food they’d recommend to foreigners – they’d say BULGOGI! This thinly sliced meat is marinated in a sweet soy sauce, and cooked with various vegetables. Eat it with a side of rice or in a lettuce wrap.
Day 14: Korean Snacks
Seoul has an almost endless amount of convenience stores. When you’re needing a late night snack, head to the nearest one and pick up one of these snacks. From sweet to savory – you’ll surely find something you love (and maybe even some you hate!)
See more: https://youtu.be/nyqK1Y4IFHI
Day 15: Kimchi Jjiggae
Kimchi Stew is made with kimchi, pork, and very few other ingredients. The end result is a spicy, sour stew that warms the heart and belly.
See more: https://youtu.be/yvx8Ymjmmg0
Day 16: Don Katsu
Deep fried pork cutlet. What could go wrong, right? If you’re feeling a bit homesick or just want something unhealthy – this is the food for you! There are so many varieties of the dish, so you’ll be able to try a ton of different options while you’re here! (My tip: try cheese donkatsu with spicy sauce!)
See more: https://youtu.be/dJDRJxbN9B4
Day 17: Jokbal
While the sound of pig’s feet might be off-putting at first, you’d be making a huge mistake if you were to skip this dish. It is one of my personal FAVORITE foods. You can even get a spicy version! Eat it in a lettuce wrap, or with some buckwheat noodles.
See more: https://youtu.be/CQYVVO2j7ZA
Day 18: Jeon
This simple dish consists of various meats or vegetables that are lightly fried in an egg/flour mixture. It goes particularly well with the Korean rice wine makgeolli.
Head to Jeon Alley near Gongdeok Market to find a huge variety of jeon. Choose what you want, and have it weighed. Your food will be re-fried, and you’ll be enjoying it in no time.
See more: https://youtu.be/hbKRA9LtiLQ
Day 19: Almonds
Korean almonds are all the rage these days! They are some of the most popular souvenirs for tourists to take back to their own countries. There are dozens of flavors. How many can you try?(My favorite are the Pang Pang Starlight Almonds!)
See more: https://youtu.be/t_dSvVkqVYs
Day 20: Dakbal
If you didn’t know already, 발 (bal) is the Korean word for ‘foot’ (see: jokbal). Dakbal is, well, chicken feet! You can have these served with or without the bone, and in various level of spiciness. I recommend pairing it with an ice cold beer!
see more: https://youtu.be/yR4tmjWDoMY
Day 21: Dakgalbi
Sticking to the chicken theme, dakgalbi is a MUST! Spicy stir-fried chicken with various vegetables and rice cakes. I like to head to #Myeongdong and try the dish covered in cheese! I’ve never met a person who didn’t love dak galbi!
Day 22: Ddeokbokki
Ok – so you’ve been in Seoul for 3 weeks, and you haven’t tried this yet?! Well, then you should head to Singdangdong Tteokbokki Town and try it! Spicy rice cakes are cooked up at your table. If spice isn’t your thing – no problem, as they also have a soy sauce based version.
Rumour has it that the dish was actually created here, so you know it’s going to be good!
See more:https://youtu.be/f4JjEog8YyQ
Day 23: Fresh Seafood
Noryangjin Fish Market is Seoul’s largest seafood market. If it swims in the sea, you’ll find it here (and more!) Simply purchase your seafood of choice downstairs, and then head up the escalator to have it prepared.
While this isn’t the cheapest experience, it is a lot of fun, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find fresher seafood anywhere else.
See more: https://youtu.be/Q_VddsQ6rHA
Day 24:Yook Hwei
Raw strips of beef, covered in sesame oil and served with raw egg and fresh pair. Sound scary? It’s not! It actually has such a unique combination of flavors and textures. I’ve never heard of anyone getting sick eating this dish – so there’s no need to worry!
Gwangjang Market is said to have some great yook hwei!
Day 25: Pizza from the movie ‘Parasite’
Did you know you can visit the filming locations of the Oscar winning movie ‘Parasite’? Be sure to check out this little restaurant, and see the actual pizza boxes the actors folded in the movie!
See more: https://tastesseoulgood.com/2020/02/15/parasite-filming-location-tour/
Day 26: Cup Bap Alley
Running low on cash, but have a big appetite? Head to Cup Bap Alley near Noryangjin Station. They are serving up huge portions of rice with various toppings for super low prices. This row of vendors caters to students, but they’ll be happy to serve you huge portions of great food.
Day 27: Ramyeon
Korean instant noodles are everywhere! You’re surely familiar with Samyang’s ‘Fire Chicken Noodles’, but those are just one of dozens of different flavors! Pick up a pack in any store. You can even have them served in restaurants, PC cafes, or on the airplane! Try as many flavors as you can! (I recommend the sesame flavor! Yummy!)
Day 28: Hairtail Fish
This unique fish can be stewed in a spicy sauce, or served grilled. Head to Namdaemun Market and find ‘Galchi Alley’. Choose one of the many vendors and try it out!
Day 29: Bibimbap
Korea’s OTHER most famous dish. It literally translates to ‘mixed rice’. Simply mix the bowl of hot rice, vegetables, sesame oil, and gochujang (spicy pepper paste) in a bowl. It might not look appealing – but you’ll enjoy the symphony of flavors.
Day 30: Kimbap
This is like the Korean version of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Rice rolled with dried seaweed and various meats, veggies, and condiments. I like a classic ‘chamchi kimbap’ – stuffed with canned tuna and mayonnaise. Once you try this treat, you’ll crave it all the time!So what are you waiting for? Seoul has plenty of foods waiting for you! What are you looking forward to trying first?
Did you know: Kim (김) isn’t just a popular family name in Korea? It’s also the name of the dried seaweed used in this dish! Check out some of my favorite kim (also spelled ‘gim’): OMG! Oh My Gim!
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See more by visiting my youtube (http://youtube.com/tastesseoulgood) or blog (www.tastesseoulgood.com)
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Tastes Seoul Good 