What are the best Korean foods of all time? South Korea is known for its technology and innovation; however, its food is one of the best-kept secrets in the world. While many might know about Korean BBQ, there is much beyond that. Most don’t fully know what Korean food is until they visit Korea. From meat grilled at your table to boiling stews, Korean food is one of the most underrated international foods in the world.
You will typically find rice, vegetables, and meats when eating Korean food. However, what sets Korea apart is the variety of flavors that come with Korean side dishes.
Therefore, if you plan a trip to South Korea or your local Koreatown, here are the top 10 Best Korean Foods you must try before you die.
Galbi
Galbi is Korean grilled beef short ribs. What makes it so good is the marinade. Make sure you get Beef Galbi, the best meat for Korean BBQ. The Galbi ribs are butterflied 2 to 3 times using a knife. This is not easy and is usually only done by Korean restaurant chefs with special butcher skills. South Korea offers chicken galbi which is a lot cheaper, but we suggest you go for the beef galbi, which should cost between 20,000 to 30,000 won per person. In addition, there is also LA Galbi which is just as delicious. Ask any Korean, and a vast majority will say that Galbi is at the top when it comes to the best Korean foods of all time.
Average cost per person: 20,000 won
Samgyeopsal
A cheaper but just as delicious alternative to Galbi if you want Korean BBQ is Samyeopsal. Samyeopsal is grilled pork belly strips you cook at your table. It is by far the most popular Korean BBQ in Korea. These thinly sliced pork bellies can be found in any Korean market. The thickness can vary depending on your preference.
Furthermore, there is no need for seasoning or marinating. Once the strips are cooked, it is sliced into bite-size pieces. It is highly recommended to cook Samgyeopsal with mushrooms, onion, garlic, and even Kimchi. Wrap it in lettuce and add kimchi and other vegetables with rice. Make sure to dip it in Korean BBQ sauce of your choice. By far one of the best Korean foods when it comes to price.
Average cost per person: 10,000 won
Samgyetang
Samgyetang is a ginseng chicken soup, a prevalent food in Korea for promoting stamina and its health benefits. Many Koreans believe that Samgyetang is suitable for restoring energy, which is why it is an excellent dish for those with hangovers. Therefore, it is trendy during the hottest days of the Summer in Korea, around mid-July. The taste might be bland for some Westerners, but you can always add salt. Overall it is very light, healthy, and has a lot of nutritional benefits. The rice is actually inside the chicken! The price is very reasonable, ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 won.
Average cost per person: 10,000-15,000 won
Mul Naengmyeon
The best Korean summer food is by far Mul Naengmyeon. It is cold noodles in an icy cold beef broth. It has a sweet yet tangy taste and is usually made with buckwheat noodles. In the Mul Naengmyeon, you will find some beef strips, boiled eggs, white radish, and cucumber. It isn’t easy to make at home because you must make the beef broth before 2-3 days. Finally, when eating Mul Naengmyeon, you must add mustard and vinegar to taste. It goes perfectly with our #1 Korean food galbi! To taste, you must add wasabi, and vinegar, which can be tricky. We suggest you do 2-3 splashes (2-3 teaspoons) of both and adjust to taste.
Average cost per person: 5,000 – 8,000 won
Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki is one of the best Korean street foods in Korea. While many places sell Tteokbokki, they all pretty much taste the same. It is made with Korean rice cakes, fish cakes, soup stock, and chili paste. It is one of the easiest foods to make at home, but because it is so cheap and sold almost anywhere in Korea, most buy it rather than cook it. However, the sauce is what makes it special. It combines sweetness and spiciness, making it a guilty pleasure for many Koreans. The spiciness can range from mild to super spicy, so be careful!
Average cost per person: 4,000 – 5,000 won
Bibimbap
A very popular Korean dish is Bibimbap. It is a rice bowl filled with sauteed and seasoned vegetables, a hot pepper paste, seasoned beef (sometimes raw beef), fried egg, and sesame oil. Before you eat the dish, you will need to mix everything. Some restaurants offer bibimbap served in a heated stone. This is called dolsot bibimbap. In addition, the bowl itself makes the bottom layer of rice very crispy! Some bibimbap does not come with seasoned beef, which in our opinion, makes it delicious, so make sure you ask if it comes with beef before ordering.
Average cost per person: 5,000 – 8,000 won
Kimchi Stew
You must include Kimchi Jigae (Kimchi Stew) when discussing the best Korean foods. It is by far the most popular stew because Koreans love kimchi. Every home has kimchi, meaning every Korean can make its kimchi style. It is a staple food in most Korean meals. Furthermore, Kimchi Jjigae will also be offered at most Korean BBQ restaurants. The best Kimchi Stew is made with fermented Kimchi, onions, tofu, fatty pork meat, and spicy chili paste. You can even make Kimchi Stew with SPAM!
Average cost per person: 5,000 – 8,000 won
Bossam
Don’t even think about making Bossam at home. Therefore, Bossam should be tried at a Bossam restaurant. It is slices of very flavorful pork that are boiled. Therefore it is very tender. Think of it like a boiled version of Samgyupsal. You eat it wrapped in cabbage with Ssamjang or shrimp sauce. The shrimp sauce goes well with Bossam and helps digest it. You can wrap it in lettuce, just like Samgyeopsal. Nothing is better than Bossam and some Korean side dishes in the Summer!
Average cost per person: 10,000 won
Jajangmyeon
Many might not consider Jajangmyeon a Korean dish. They are half correct. It is a very popular Korean-Chinese dish. Jajangmyeon is black bean sauce over noodles. It is made from a black bean paste called Chun Jang. It was brought to Korea by early Chinese immigrants in Korea. Now it is a staple of Korean food culture. Many Koreans eat Jajangmyeon on special occasions, which could be the most popular Korean food delivered to homes. In addition, there is even a Jajangmyeon day called Black Day (April 14th), where single people eat it with their friends.
Average cost per person: 4,000 – 5,000 won
Chimaek
Chimaek is Korean fried chicken with beer. It is the most popular food for after-work get-togethers. Therefore, there are so many great chains in South Korea that offer great Korean fried chicken. Currently, there are over 40,000 fried chicken places in South Korea. It is one of Korea’s most popular food combos at sporting events. In addition, what makes Korean fried chicken so delicious is that it is cooked twice (double-fried) and is covered with a thick/tangy sauce. Korean beer goes perfectly with the chicken because it is a more watered-down version of western beer.
Average cost per person: 20,000 won
If you are in Korea and still want to eat at a fast-food restaurant, at least go for regional items in Korea, like the regional items at a McDonald’s in Korea.
