The top South Korean foods to try – let your tastebuds run riot

The dish referred to as Bulgogi is a sought-after South Korean meat delicacy that can be enjoyed throughout the world. Once ranked as the 23rd most delicious food in the world on a reader’s poll conducted by CNN Travel in 2011, Bulgogi is essentially, marinated beef barbecue which is grilled to perfection with the aid of sliced onions and garlic. The beef is traditionally wrapped in lettuce and consumed alongside a red and spicy paste called ‘ssamjang.’

Easily found on the menus of South Korean restaurants, Samgyeopsal comprises grilled slices of succulent pork belly which are not marinated or seasoned at all. The dish is brought to life by dipping the pork in a seasoning made of pepper and salt which is mixed in sesame oil that is thereafter, wrapped well in lettuce together with shredded green onions, kimchi and sliced garlic & onions.

Also, called stir-fried noodles, Japchae has found its way into the local food culture as a popular side dish that will have you salivating at the very ends no sooner you commence tucking in. Rated as a top-notch and traditional noodle dish, Japchae consists of beef, finely shredded vegetables, stir-fried sweet potatoes and a sprinkling of sugar & soy sauce. However, Japchae is a speciality where the chefs tend to get creative and it isn’t uncommon to have mushrooms included in a dish that is sweet, chewy and packed with a good amount of flavours you will never grow tired of. In fact, if looking for places where you can sample some Japchae, then make a note of Myeongdong Shopping Street which is located near the Myeongdong hotel such as the Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall.

Synonymous with Korean cuisine as a whole is the much loved and appreciated creation of Kimchi which in actuality, are fermented vegetables. Known to give off a spicy and sour taste, Kimchi is prepared with the help of an assortment of ingredients with cabbage seen as its main inclusion. From the viewpoint of the locals, Kimchi is a necessity at mealtimes and to not have a generous portion of fermented vegetables on the table will be a meal that will more or less be treated as incomplete. On top of its unique flavours that continue to attract foreign nationals in their numbers, Kimchi carries a considerable amount of health benefits which range from a low-calorie content and a high nutritional value.

If stew happens to be a personal favourite of yours, then do have a look at what Sundubu-jjigae has to offer. As a Korean stew packed to the rafters with spices, mushrooms, vegetables, tofu (dubu), chilli paste (gochujang) and a choice of either pork or beef; Sundubu-jjigae cannot be excluded from your list of ‘must try’ Korean food types. Though several variations exist, this dish is always capped off with the placing of a raw egg on top before being mixed well in an attempt to enhance flavour and texture.

On the topic of street food in South Korea, few would dare rival the taste levels that are a feature of Hoeddeok which is the locals’ rendition of a pancake. A common sight, especially during the winter season, Hoeddeok is a circular and flat dough that is filled to the brim with many an ingredient. Before being placed on the griddle, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon and tiny pieces of peanuts are tossed into the dough. The wait will not be for too long as you will soon be served a sweet syrupy pancake that will come complete with a crunchy exterior and soft interior for one heavenly experience.