Top Must-Try Foods in South Korea- A Cosily Indulgent Concoction of Flavours 

Whether your itinerary chiefly consists of attending trailblazing events at futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza, living a tech-infused fantasy at Gwangmyeong Cave, roaming heritage-riddled Hanok villages adorned with enchanting medieval experiences, or drifting through inspiring muralled alleyways for Insta-worthy thrills, you’ll need a soul food staple to get you through your delightful sightseeing expeditions. Bibimbap, with its wholesome combination of fragrant rice, tender meat and vegetables, runny egg, and saucy chilli-pepper kick, is a deliciously nutritious go-to meal!

From panko-coated, deep-fried Gamja Hot Dogs with their sublime potato stuffing, shapely sugar-coated Korean-style doughnuts, and zingy pickled kimbap (Korean sushi) to smoky-sweet egg break perfect for brunch time and the more bougie but oh-so-worth-it grilled cheese lobster, the South Korean gourmet ‘cart cuisine’ is hard to resist! If you’re looking for a piquant local favourite to get started, you can’t go wrong with deliciously chewy tteokbokki rice cake slices in spicy-sweet chilly gravy, recognised by its red-hot hue! If you’re looking for sophisticated serviced apartments in Bundang proffering prime access to the city’s most mouthwatering enclaves, venture no further than the likes of Somerset Central Bundang. 

From miso-rich soybean paste stew with succulent shrimp and peppery seasoning and light, melt-in-the-mouth Ox Bone Soup to nourishing pumpkin-sweet Hobakjuk stew, spicy chicken stovetop stew with robust old-fashioned vegetables, and gingery chueotang noodle soup made from freshwater mudfish, there is no shortage of soul-stirring Korean broths to warm you to your toes after a whirlwind day of touring. However, if you’re looking for a tongue-zinging combination of out-of-the-box flavours, you can’t go wrong with the luxuriant umami-rich textures of sundubu jjigae, comprising silky tofu, thinly sliced vegetables, marinated meat, tender seafood, raw egg, and generous lashings of spicy-sweet stock. 

If you have a weakness for crispy carbs and enjoy the vibrant aesthetic of a stir-fry, these sweet potato glass noodles tossed in diced meat, mushrooms, colourful, finely shredded veggies, and sweet soy-infused sauce, are addictively snackable and a picture-perfect dish for the ‘Gram. If you’re craving an even more unusual flavour profile, the Bibim nengmyun noodle broth will blow you away with deliciously uncanny notes of seaweed, pear slices, green tea, sweet potato, and boiled beef served cold with red chilli paste. Both Japchae and Bibim nengmyun are popular and delicious Korean dishes.

Your sweet tooth will not be abandoned in South Korea’s richly favoured emporiums, whether it’s decadent Patbingsu, the Korean ice cream sundae of shaved ice cascading with luscious fruits, silky red beans, and sweet condensed milk, beautifully patterned ceremonial dasik (tea cookies) in jewel-toned hues, or adorable Korean mochi cakes bursting with red bean stuffing. However, if you’re looking for a fail-safe classic to binge on as you roam the atmospheric streets of Seoul, these fluffy, syrupy, griddled cakes filled with cinnamon, crushed nuts, and fruits, are the way to go!