1. Gwangjang Market
To experience the true essence of Korean food culture, a visit to traditional markets is a must. In Seoul, the historic Gwangjang Market in Jongno stands out as Korea's first permanent market with over a century of history. Here, visitors can indulge in a cozy atmosphere while savoring Korean dishes beloved by locals.
Don't miss the finger-sized mini gimbap dipped in mustard sauce, known as "mayak gimbap" or "drug gimbap" for its addictive taste. The market also offers other famous dishes like beef tartare and mung bean pancakes.
2. Tongin Market
Located in Seoul's Jongno-gu, Tongin Market offers a unique experience found nowhere else. Visitors can enjoy various dishes while participating in the "yeopjeon dosirak" system. This traditional lunchbox experience involves using old Korean brass coins called "yeopjeon" as currency within the market. Customers can purchase yeopjeon, which then serves as a kind of wallet to buy the food they desire from different stalls.
The market's offerings include staple Korean dishes like rice and soup, as well as side dishes like spicy rice cakes, grilled rib patties, rice balls, and omelet rolls.
3. Jeonju Food Tour
Jeonju is a city renowned for its delectable dishes, thanks to fresh seafood from the West and South Seas and bountiful crops from its fertile land. The must-try dish in Jeonju is their signature bibimbap, made by mixing cooked rice with various fresh ingredients, including egg yolk, gingko nut, pine nut, chestnut, walnut, and vegetables.
For a true culinary adventure, indulge in Jeonju Hanjeongsik, a Korean table d’hote featuring more than 30 side dishes, representing the generosity and warmth of the Korean people.
4. Sokcho, Seafood Heaven
As a bustling port city on the east coast, Sokcho, Gangwon-do boasts of abundant seafood acquired from the East Sea, thus providing a variety of dishes made of fish, squid, and shrimp, and more.
The deep-fried shrimp alley near Daepohang Port is a must-see in Sokcho for tourists. Fresh shrimp are fried on the spot, and thus, the crispy taste is excellent.
In addition, visitors can enjoy diverse dishes such as sliced raw squid, stuffed squid, moray soup, spicy red snow crab, and grilled fish in the vicinity of Sokcho Tourist Fish Market, the dock for a raft-like platform boat called “gaetbae,” Daepohang Port, and Dongmyeonghang Port.
Although not seafood, glazed fried chicken bites called dak gangjeong are also representative food in Sokcho. This crispy and crunch dish is made by deepfrying bite-sized chicken, which is then smothered in a sweet or spicy sauce that has been boiled down to a thick consistency.
5. Busan Food Tour
Busan, with its excellent public transportation and diverse food scene, is a city perfect for gourmet travelers. Jagalchi Market, the largest fish market in South Korea, offers a wide array of seafood options, including sliced raw fish, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and more. For adventurous eaters, the market even serves whale meat and grilled hagfish.
6. Mokpo’s Special Delicacies
Located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, Jeollanam-do is known for its delicious food thanks to the geographical condition, where the sea and land meet, and mild climate. As a port city located in the southwestern part of Jeollanam-do, Mokpo is home to the signature dishes of the Jeolla Province along with Jeonju.
7. Traditional Jeju Food
Jeju Island, one of the most beloved destinations for Koreans, has developed unique local dishes because of its geographical condition—being far from the mainland. Rather than cooking with various ingredients or adding various spices, most of dishes are simply cooked to preserve the original flavors of the ingredients.
Typical folk foods include black pork grilled on charcoal to a chewy texture, oozing with juices; gulfweed soup made from pork broth and meat, gulfweed, and buckwheat flour; and omegi rice cake and omegi liquor made from glutinous millet, which used to be the staple food of Jeju people in the past.
8. Tea Plantations in Boseong
Boseong is South Korea's largest tea-producing area, boasting 4,000 tea plantations. Tea enthusiasts and those interested in Korean tea culture will find bliss here. Participate in tea-related programs, taste green tea, pick tea leaves, and experience the Korean Tea Ceremony.
9. Grilled Pork Belly Tour
Grilled pork belly is one of Koreans’ favorite restaurant and home-cooked dishes. Grilled pork belly is a part of the pork ribs called samgyeopsal, meaning three alternate layers of lean flesh and fat in the pork belly that appear when cut. In the Western countries, they primarily process pork belly as cured bacon, but most Korean people favor grilled or roasted bellies. In addition, they are served with vegetables for wraps such as lettuce and perilla leaves, pickled onions, seasoned scallions, or dipping sauce such as ssamjang, a thick spicy paste made with Korean soybean paste.
Grilled pork belly is a popular dish, not a local specialty, so it can be tasted anywhere in the country.
10. Service Area Food Court
Express service areas in South Korea are much loved as multipurpose spaces that provide more than just a short break on the road. Each service area reflects the unique culture depending on locations, serving as new tourist destinations.
Embrace the culinary wonders of Korea and embark on a delightful gourmet travel adventure you won't forget!
