Cuisine in South Korea

Discover signature dishes and food culture of this country

Asia / Eastern Asia

Signature dishes

Kimchi

Lactic fermented vegetable pickle. Over 200 varieties

  • Region: Nationwide
  • Main ingredients: Napa cabbage, Chili pepper, Garlic, Salt

Bibimbap

Rice topped with vegetables, meat, and egg mixed with gochujang

  • Region: Jeonju
  • Main ingredients: Rice, Namul, Beef, Egg, Gochujang

Samgyeopsal

Grilled pork belly wrapped in lettuce—standard Korean BBQ

  • Region: Nationwide
  • Main ingredients: Pork belly, Garlic, Perilla leaves

Bulgogi

Beef marinated in sweet-spicy sauce and stir-fried

  • Region: Capital region
  • Main ingredients: Beef, Soy sauce marinade, Onions

Kimchi Jjigae

Pot dish stewing aged kimchi with pork

  • Region: Nationwide
  • Main ingredients: Kimchi, Pork, Tofu

Samgyetang

Nourishing soup of young chicken stuffed with ginseng and glutinous rice

  • Region: Nationwide
  • Main ingredients: Chicken, Ginseng, Glutinous rice, Jujube

Ganjang Gejang

''Rice thief'': blue crab marinated in soy sauce

  • Region: Jeolla Province
  • Main ingredients: Blue crab, Soy sauce, Chili pepper

Japchae

Stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables and beef—ceremonial dish

  • Region: Nationwide
  • Main ingredients: Glass noodles, Beef, Vegetables, Soy sauce

Tteokbokki

Street food staple of rice cakes simmered in gochujang-based sauce

  • Region: Capital region
  • Main ingredients: Rice cakes, Fish cakes, Gochujang

Naengmyeon

Cold noodles made from buckwheat or starch in chilled broth—summer specialty

  • Region: Pyongyang, Hamhung
  • Main ingredients: Buckwheat noodles, Beef broth, Kimchi

Back to list