Korea is loved for many reasons by people all over the world. Be it the K-Dramas, Korean skincare, Korean actors or Korean cuisine, Korea leaves an imprint on people’s hearts in every way possible. Korean cuisine is a blend of spicy, sweet, tangy, meaty, fermented and centuries old traditional food. If you love trying these flavours then you should know there are some of the best Korean foods to try in Korea.
People love to indulge the Korean flavours in their local cuisines. You can find many countries have their own renditions of Korean spices mixed with unique combinations of their own local food.
Korean food is comforting and something that you need after a long tiring day. The burst of flavours will heal you and feel like a warm hug. Korean food is now popular all over the world and has even inspired many different food items all over the world.
You should know that Korean food is more than just Kimchi, though no doubt Kimchi is the most beloved food. You can try more exciting and authentic Korean food when in Korea.
Some of the best Korean food to try in Korea are as follows:
1. Bibimbap
Bibimbap is a very simple rice dish which is flavoured with a lot of toppings such as seasoned vegetables, fried egg, a slice of beef and the most favourite chili paste known as gochujang.
All these ingredients make the rice bowl so flavourful and healthy. It can be made better if you add a little drizzle of sesame oil and mix everything together. Bibimbap will be a great option to try in Korea.
2. Bulgogi
Korean barbeque is very famous and Bulgogi is one such example of traditional barbeque. Thin slices of beef or other meat are first marinated in a gravy which coats all the great flavours on the beef slices.
The sauce contains soy sauce, garlic, sugar, sesame oil and black pepper. After being grilled to perfection, the add ons of mushrooms, carrots and green onions brings the dish together and gives it a great flavour. You must definitely try this Korean food in Korea.
3. Tteokbokki
You might have seen Tteokbokki trending on social media. It is an extremely famous and beloved street food in Korea. These rice cakes are full of spicy, sweet and savoury flavours. You often get fish cakes and boiled eggs along with Tteokbokki.
This street food is loved by all and becomes an instant favourite of tourists. If you don’t have good spice tolerance, then we would recommend you to be prepared, because this one has a strong punch of spice.
You can even add Tteokbokki as a topping on your ramen with some mozzarella cheese, cabbage, onions and many other vegetables.
4. Hotteok
If you are looking to eat something sweet, then try these amazing pancakes which have nuts, honey and cinnamon filling. You can get different fillings as well such as pumpkin hotteok, red bean paste, green tea hotteok and some modern take on hotteok with pizza style filling.
Hotteok will become your absolute favourite. They are crispy on the outside and a little bit chewy on the inside. You can easily find hotteok at local vendors. These are a must try Korean food in Korea.
5. Kimchi
We are not going to forget this sensational dish that has made the whole world go crazy. Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented dish which is seasoned with chilli and also offers a tangy taste.
You will find stocks of kimchi in every Korean household. They use it as a side dish and as a popular topping on every meal whether it is fried rice, soup or even ramen. Kimchi alone provides all the flavours as it is marinated with salt, gochujang, garlic, fish sauce and other vegetables.
Kimchi is a staple in Korean cuisine, you have to try it when in Korea because then what’s the point. The authentic Korean kimchi will blow your mind if you did not previously like it.
6. Cheesy Hotdogs
If you are a cheese lover and would love to do the cheese pull, then you must definitely try these cheesy hotdogs. They are loaded with cheese and are very crispy.
The Korean cheesy hotdogs also had the internet drooling. Potatoes loaded with cheese, can anyone think of a better combination?
They are the best snacks, hands down. You will love them as they are the best Korean food to try in Korea.
7. Sundubu Jjigae
Who doesn’t love a great stew with some healthy vegetables? Sundubu Jjigae is that comfort meal that you need after a long tiring day. It is a flavourful stew made of garlic, gochujang, tofu and other vegetables.
You can even try various versions of this such as seafood, kimchi and meat based sundubu jjigae. The stew offers a unique blend of spicy and tangy flavours. You should try this comfort meal when in Korea.
Conclusion
Korean food is truly a delight to your taste buds. Each dish has its unique flavour and carries its own stories of tradition and culture. There is something for everyone to try in Korea. Korean cuisine will make you a fan of it.
In this article we mentioned some of the best Korean food to try in Korea. From spicy Tteokbokki and kimchi to a comforting bowl of sundubu jjigae and bulgogi, you can try some great cuisines and taste the authentic Korean flavours.
