10 Korean Foods to Try Before Visiting Korea (Beginner's Guide)

10 Korean Foods to Try Before Visiting Korea (Beginner's Guide)

Every time I bring a friend from abroad to a Korean market for the first time, I watch the same reaction: the smell of sizzling meat, jars of unfamiliar sauces, and menus full of dishes they can't quite pronounce. 

As someone who grew up eating this food, I've put together the dishes I always tell first-time visitors to try — not the tourist versions, but what Koreans actually eat.


1. Bibimbap (비빔밥)


Bibimbap is a bowl of warm rice topped with an array of seasoned vegetables, a fried egg, and often thin slices of beef, all brought together with a spoonful of gochujang (Korean chili paste). Before eating, 

you mix everything together so every bite has a bit of everything. It's colorful, balanced, and one of the easiest dishes for first-timers to love since you can customize the spice level.


2. Korean BBQ (고기구이)


No trip to Korea is complete without sitting around a tabletop grill, cooking your own meat with friends or family.

Popular cuts include samgyeopsal (pork belly) and galbi (marinated short ribs).

The meat is wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic, ssamjang (a thick dipping sauce), and rice — a hands-on, social way of eating that Koreans genuinely do for everyday meals, not just special occasions.


3. Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개)


This bubbling, spicy stew made from aged kimchi, pork or tofu, and a savory broth is Korean comfort food at its core. 

It's usually served in a communal pot straight from the stove, alongside rice and small side dishes. 

If you want to understand why kimchi is so central to Korean cooking, this dish is the best introduction.


4. Tteokbokki (떡볶이)


Chewy rice cakes simmered in a sweet and spicy red sauce, tteokbokki is one of Korea's most beloved street foods. 

You'll find it at street carts, small eateries, and even school cafeterias. 

It's often served with fish cakes and boiled eggs, and the sauce is addictive enough that many visitors end up craving it long after they've left Korea.


5. Japchae (잡채)



Japchae is a stir-fried glass noodle dish made with sweet potato starch noodles, vegetables, and thin strips of beef, all seasoned with soy sauce and a touch of sesame oil. 

Unlike many Korean dishes, it's not spicy, which makes it a great option for visitors who want to ease into Korean flavors before trying spicier dishes.


6. Samgyetang (삼계탕)


This whole young chicken soup is stuffed with sticky rice, garlic, jujube, and ginseng, then slow-boiled until the meat falls off the bone. 

Koreans traditionally eat samgyetang in the hottest days of summer, believing it helps restore energy. 

It's mild, nourishing, and a completely different experience from the spicier dishes Korean food is known for.


7. Korean Fried Chicken (치킨)


Korean fried chicken is famous for its incredibly crispy, thin batter and bold sauces — soy garlic, spicy gochujang glaze, or honey butter are popular choices. 

It's typically enjoyed with beer in a pairing Koreans call "chimaek" (chicken + maekju, meaning beer), and it's become such a cultural export that fried chicken chains from Korea are now opening worldwide.


8. Sundubu Jjigae (순두부찌개)


A soft tofu stew served bubbling hot in a stone pot, sundubu jjigae is silky, spicy, and often includes seafood or pork. 

A raw egg is cracked into the pot right before serving, cooking gently in the residual heat. 

It's a favorite lunch dish among Koreans and pairs perfectly with a bowl of rice.


9. Gimbap (김밥)


Often compared to sushi rolls, gimbap is made with seasoned rice, vegetables, egg, and meat or fish rolled in dried seaweed sheets. 

It's Korea's go-to portable meal — perfect for picnics, hiking trips, or a quick lunch on the go. Because it's not raw fish-based like sushi, it's also a safe, approachable option for first-time visitors.


10. Bingsu (빙수)


To end on something sweet, bingsu is a Korean shaved ice dessert piled high with toppings like sweet red beans, fresh fruit, condensed milk, and injeolmi (rice cake powder). 

It's especially popular in summer and is often shared between two or more people, making it a fun, social way to cool down after a day of exploring.


Final Tips for Trying Korean Food


Most of these dishes are widely available at local restaurants, street food stalls, and traditional markets throughout Korea.

Don't be afraid to point at what looks good if you don't know the name — Koreans are generally happy to help visitors navigate the menu. 

And if you want to try making some of these at home before your trip, check out our Korean Recipes section for step-by-step guides.

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