Seoul food guide
Seoul Food Guide: 12 Korean Dishes + Where to Eat Them
Korean food in Seoul is at peak global recognition. The must-eat list goes beyond KBBQ, kimchi stews, bibimbap variations, street food, late-night chimaek. Here are 12 essentials.
KBBQ at Maple Tree House or Hanguk Saejae
Premium Hanwoo beef + galbi + samgyeopsal. Side dishes (banchan) free.
Price: 30,000-80,000 KRW per person
Bibimbap
Mixed rice bowl with vegetables + meat + egg + gochujang. Gogung (Jongno-gu) is the Jeonju-style classic.
Price: 8,000-15,000 KRW
Kimchi jjigae
Spicy kimchi + pork stew. Comfort food. Any neighborhood Korean restaurant.
Price: 7,000-12,000 KRW
Soondubu jjigae
Soft tofu stew. Bukchangdong Soondubu (Myeong-dong) is the institution.
Price: 8,000-14,000 KRW
Bulgogi
Marinated beef. Sliced thin, grilled tableside or in restaurant. Mapo Galmaegi for elevated version.
Price: 18,000-35,000 KRW
Tteokbokki
Spicy rice cakes — street food. Best at Gwangjang Market or Tongin Market stalls.
Price: 4,000-8,000 KRW
Korean fried chicken + beer (chimaek)
Late-night staple. Kyochon, Pelicana, BBQ Chicken chains. Mapo for chimaek streets.
Price: 20,000-35,000 KRW for chicken + 2 beers
Naengmyeon
Cold buckwheat noodles in icy broth. Summer specialty. Pyeongyang Naengmyeon (Yangyeong-dong) is famous.
Price: 10,000-15,000 KRW
Samgyetang
Ginseng chicken soup. Summer health food. Tosokchon (Jongno-gu) is the famous shop.
Price: 15,000-22,000 KRW
Banchan spread
8-12 small side dishes free with any meal. Try at any traditional Korean restaurant.
Price: Free with most meals
Hotteok
Sweet stuffed pancake: winter street food. Most-popular at Insadong + Myeong-dong streets.
Price: 2,000-3,500 KRW
Korean barbecue intestines (gopchang)
Late-night specialty. Wangbijib is locals’ favorite chain.
Price: 18,000-30,000 KRW