l Korean Dishes
These are five dishes most recommended from CNN Travel and the Michelin Guide, but there are many other exciting options. Explore!
1) Korean BBQ (불고기/ 삼겹살)
- Marinated beef (bulgogi) or grilled pork belly (samgyeopsal) cooked at your table
- Wrapped in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang, and rice
- Grill yourself; at others, staff will do it for you
2) Bibimbap (비빔밥)
- A bowl of rice topped with seasonal vegetables, marinated beef, a fried egg, and gochujang
- Mix everything together before eating
3) Kimchi (김치)
- Fermented vegetables — most commonly cabbage with chili, garlic, and ginger
- Central to Korean identity, with many regional and seasonal varieties
4) Seolleongtang (설렁탕)
- A milky-white soup slow-simmered from ox bones
- Served unseasoned so you adjust salt and pepper yourself
- A warming choice for cold weather
5) Bossam (보쌈)
- Pork belly boiled in spiced broth, sliced thin, and wrapped in lettuce or perilla leaves
- Often paired with soju or makgeolli
+ Banchan (side dishes)
- Banchan are small side dishes served with your meal at no extra charge
- Refills are often free, so feel free to ask for more
l Dining Tips
Practical things to know at restaurants in Korea.
Servers come when you call
- Korean restaurants don't usually check on your table
- Most tables have a call button — press it when you need something
Tablet or QR ordering
- Many restaurants use tablets at the table or QR codes
