Top 5 Must-Try Korean Foods During Your Trip to Korea
When it comes to traveling in Korea, the one thing you absolutely cannot miss is the food.
Enjoying authentic Korean dishes on-site isn’t just about flavor — it’s about the atmosphere and unique food culture that offer a special experience you can’t easily find in Japan.
No.1: Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly)
Why it’s popular:
Thick slices of pork belly, perfectly layered with fat and lean meat, are grilled on a hot plate and eaten wrapped in lettuce with kimchi, garlic, and ssamjang (a soybean paste sauce). This “interactive dining experience” is something unique to Korea.
For Japanese visitors, it’s an easy and familiar choice since it resembles yakiniku, but the way you wrap the meat and the wide variety of side ingredients make it a fun and memorable way to enjoy Korean cuisine.
Ordering Tips
Samgyeopsal is usually ordered based on the number of people dining.
Most restaurants require a minimum order of two servings, so if you’re traveling alone, look for places that display signs like “혼자 삼겹살 OK” (Samgyeopsal for one person available) — then you can enjoy it comfortably even on a solo trip.
No. 2: Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)
Why It’s Popular:
Often found at street stalls and food courts, tteokbokki is a beloved Korean comfort food made by simmering chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy gochujang-based sauce.
In recent years, new variations like cheese tteokbokki and rosé tteokbokki with creamy sauces have become trendy.
Its unique balance of sweetness and spiciness—something rarely found in Japan—makes it especially appealing to Japanese travelers.
Compatibility with Food Tourism Culture
In Korean tourist spots, “food walking tours ” are one of the main attractions, and tteokbokki is a representative dish for this.
It’s perfect for when you’re feeling a little hungry or taking a break while shopping, and since it’s often sold on skewers, it’s also convenient to eat while walking around.
3rd Place: Cheese Dakgalbi（チーズタッカルビ）
Why is it popular?
Cheese Dakgalbi is a dish made by stir-frying chicken and vegetables in a sweet and spicy sauce, then adding a generous amount of cheese in the center to melt and mix before eating.
Its strong visual impact has made it explosively popular, especially among young female tourists.
It has also become known as a “visual gourmet” dish that makes you want to take photos and post them on social media, and is now considered a must-try menu item during a trip to Korea.
Local-only enjoyment tips
In Japan, the spiciness level is generally milder, but in Korea, the authentic version tends to be properly spicy.
If you’re not good with spicy food, it’s helpful to know that some restaurants will adjust the heat level if you say, “덜 맵게 해주세요 (Please make it less spicy).”
4th Place: Korean Fried Chicken
Why is it so popular?
Korean fried chicken is famous for its crispy texture and variety of sauces.
From Yangnyeom Chicken (sweet and spicy) to Honey Garlic and Snow Cheese, the wide range of flavors feels fresh and exciting even for Japanese visitors.
Moreover, the unique Korean culture of enjoying “Chimaek” (chicken + beer) at night has become a must-try local experience that adds to its charm.
Connection with Delivery Culture
In Korea, the chicken delivery culture is highly developed, allowing you to have fried chicken delivered straight to your hotel or guesthouse.
This is especially recommended for travelers who want to enjoy a comfortable meal in their room during their trip.
5th Place: Gimbap (Kimbap / キムパ)
Why it’s popular:
Gimbap offers a variety of ingredients and flavor options.
From tuna, cheese, spam, to kimchi, it’s convenient and easy to eat, making you want to have several rolls at once.
Similar to Japanese onigiri, it’s perfect for breakfast or as a light snack while on the go.
Recommended Way to Eat
Gimbap tastes good even when it’s cold, so buying it early in the morning and enjoying it like a picnic at a tourist spot is a great option.
Additionally, convenience stores sell a wide variety of gimbap, making it very convenient if you need a quick meal on the go.
Tips to Enjoy Korean Food Even More
Say a few words in the local language
Using simple Korean phrases can make you feel more comfortable. For example, saying “맛있게 해주세요 (Masitge Haejuseyo)” (“Please make it delicious”) helps create a friendly connection with the staff.
Be cautious with spiciness
Korean “regular” spiciness can sometimes feel extremely hot compared to Japanese standards. If you’re concerned, you can say “안 맵게 해주세요 (An Maepge Haejuseyo)” (“Please make it less spicy”) to adjust the heat.
Enjoy the sharing culture
Many Korean dishes are served family-style, meant to be shared. It’s recommended to try a variety of dishes by sharing them with your travel companions.
Summary
The charm of Korean food goes beyond just tasting the dishes; it’s about experiencing the local food culture firsthand.
Grill samgyeopsal while enjoying conversation,
eat tteokbokki on the street while walking,
or savor the night in Korea with chimaek (chicken and beer).
Each dish captures both the taste and the heart of Japanese tourists.
On your next trip to Korea, be sure to find at least one Korean dish that truly speaks to you.
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