What to Eat on Your First Trip to Korea? Top 10 Picks
Here are 10 representative dishes that are less likely to fail as your first meal in Korea.
For each dish, I’ve briefly summarized ‘who it’s good for’ and ‘why it’s recommended.’
I’ve organized them by preference, making it easy to choose from meat, soup, snacks, and late-night food.
Korean BBQ (Samgyeopsal, Moksal, etc.) Where to start?
Who is it good for: If you want a meal that definitely gives you the feeling of ‘I’m in Korea,’ this is a great fit. The process of grilling meat itself becomes a travel experience.
Why is it recommended: The texture varies by cuts such as Samgyeopsal, Moksal (Pork Neck), Galbisal, and Hanwoo, providing a wide selection even for first-time visitors. The key is the combination of wrapping it with lettuce, perilla leaves, garlic, kimchi, and green onion salad.
If it's your first time, it’s suggested to start with Samgyeopsal and Moksal, and depending on your budget, you can choose Hanwoo or other beef. To finish, pairing it with Naengmyeon or Doenjang Jjigae completes the meal.
- Recommended combination: Lettuce/Kkaennip wrap + Garlic + Kimchi
- Accompaniments: Grilled kimchi, mushrooms, and onions may also be available
- Finish: Cold noodles or soybean paste stew
Is it okay to try Gamjatang (bone soup) for the first time?
Who is it good for: If you want to share a hearty pot of rich broth and plenty of ‘tang’ with several people, it’s great. It suits a style of eating slowly while chatting.
Why is it recommended: It features pork backbone with potatoes, radish greens, and kkaennip, with a slightly spicy broth flavor being the highlight. You might be surprised by the large bones, but it’s noted that there is quite a bit of meat attached.
At the end, adding noodles or sweet potato noodles, or finishing with fried rice in the remaining broth is suggested as a safe choice.
- Ingredient highlights: Pork backbone, potatoes, radish greens, kkaennip
- Eating tip: Pick the meat off the bones and dip it in sauce
- Finish: Add noodles/sweet potato noodles or fried rice
What is the representative menu for Chimaek (Korean fried chicken + beer)?
Who is it good for: It’s recommended if you’re looking for a light (but satisfying) menu to enjoy at night, or if you want to experience a ‘K-drama-like scene’.
Why is it recommended: There are many flavor options beyond just basic fried and seasoned chicken, including honey, garlic, soy sauce, and cheese, making it easy to match your taste. If it’s your first time, choosing half-and-half chicken to try two flavors at once is suggested.
The crispiness of freshly made chicken, along with the sweet and sour chicken radish served as an accompaniment, helps balance the richness.
- Options: Various flavors beyond fried/seasoned
- First order tip: Try two flavors with half-and-half chicken
- Side dish: Enjoy with chicken mu
How about trying budae jjigae (ham, sausage, ramen) as your first challenge menu?
Who it's good for: If you like a hearty hot pot style with various ingredients in one pot, this is a great fit. It's also good for sharing with others.
Why it's recommended: The dish features a combination of ham, sausage, luncheon meat, kimchi, tofu, rice cakes, and vegetables cooked together. Although it has many ingredients, the advantage is that they harmonize well when boiled together.
There’s a tip to add the ramen after the broth is boiling and the flavors have developed, and it’s mentioned that adding cheese can make it richer.
- Ingredients: Ham, sausage, kimchi, tofu, rice cakes, vegetables, ramen
- Cooking tip: Add ramen after boiling
- Option: Add cheese
Is gopchang (beef small intestines) too greasy for first-timers?
Who it's good for: It's suitable for those who enjoy a nutty, oily flavor and a chewy texture. It’s introduced that even if you hesitate at first, you quickly adapt to it.
Why it's recommended: The key point is the texture, which is slightly crispy on the outside and soft and oily on the inside. It's usually explained that it's eaten grilled with onions, chives, mushrooms, and rice cakes.
Eating it with chives and onions reduces greasiness, and it's suggested to dip it in sesame oil and salt or the restaurant's sauce, or to eat it wrapped. Gopchang fried rice is also mentioned as an option to finish off the meal.
- Grill together: Onions, chives, mushrooms, rice cakes
- Sauce: Sesame oil + salt or the restaurant's sauce
- Conclusion: Gopchang Bokkeumbap (Where to Find It)
Dakbal (Spicy Chicken Feet) Can Beginners Handle the Heat?
Who Is It Good For: If you're looking for a spicy dish that feels like a drinking snack, this is a great match. It's especially recommended for those who enjoy a 'skin/tendon texture'.
Why Is It Recommended: It's cooked for a long time with spicy seasonings like gochujang and gochugaru, which gives it a strong spicy flavor. If bones are a hassle, there's guidance on choosing boneless chicken feet first.
A popular combination mentioned is seaweed rice balls + beer, and there's a tip to check the level of spiciness before ordering. Some places also offer less spicy options.
- First Challenge Tip: Start with Boneless Chicken Feet
- Popular Combination: Seaweed Rice Balls + Beer
- Ordering Tip: Check the Spiciness Level
Tteokbokki (Street Snack) Where and How to Eat It?
Who Is It Good For: If you enjoy simple street snacks and the atmosphere of a 'Korean Snack Cart', this is recommended.
Why Is It Recommended: The chewy rice cakes with a sweet and spicy sauce are key, and it's suggested to pair them with fish cakes, eggs, and vegetables. Eating them with skewers from a paper cup or plate is described as a typical way to enjoy it.
Even though there are various variations like cheese, cream, and fried combinations, if it's your first time, I recommend the most basic street style. A combination of fish cakes, fried items, and sundae (blood sausage) is suggested to be ordered together and dipped in the sauce.
- Basic Composition: Tteokbokki + Fish Cake + Egg (Varies by Shop)
- Recommended Add-ons: Fish Cake, Fried Items, Sundae (Blood Sausage)
- First Choice: Basic Street Style
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there a ‘low-risk’ combination when ordering Korean food for the first time?
According to the original text, barbecue with ‘samgyeopsal/moksal + ssam vegetables’ is a safe choice, and for gamjatang, the combination of ‘one pot + fried rice at the end’ is suggested as a basic option.
I'm worried about spicy dishes (like dakbal and tteokbokki).
It is mentioned to check the level of spiciness for dakbal before ordering, and if possible, to start with boneless options. Tteokbokki is introduced as a light tasting option in the basic street food style.
What menu items are good when going with several people?
In the original text, gamjatang and budaejjigae are described as good menu items to share in one pot. Chicken is also introduced as a dish to enjoy with friends at night.
I can't decide on a brand/flavor when choosing chicken for the first time.
The original text recommends choosing half-and-half chicken (two flavors) to compare at once.
This content is intended for general informational purposes, and experiences may vary based on individual preferences and conditions. Please confirm accurate information with the store before visiting.