🍜 Food & Dining

Where to eat and what to order, region by region.

Seoul 서울특별시

Must-try:Samgyeopsal (Korean Pork Belly BBQ)Chimaek (Fried Chicken & Beer)Yukhoe & Bindaetteok at GwangjangSamgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)

Gwangjang & Myeongdong Markets

Michelin Bib Gourmand yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) alley

Historic traditional food market famous for bindaetteok (mung bean pancake), mayak gimbap, and kalguksu noodles.

Busan 부산광역시

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Must-try:Dwaeji Gukbap (Pork Rice Soup)Milmyeon (Busan Wheat Cold Noodles)Ssiat Hotteok (Seed-filled sweet pancake)Fresh live seafood

Jagalchi Fish Market & Nampo-dong

Select live sashimi or King Crab on 1F, eat fresh on 2F dining floors

Korea’s largest live seafood market operated by the resilient Jagalchi Ajumma (market women).

Jeju Island 제주특별자치도

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Must-try:Jeju Black Pork BBQ (Heuk-dwaeji)Galchi Jorim (Braised Silver Hairtail Fish)Hallabong Citrus & TangerinesMomguk (Seaweed Pork Soup)

Haenyeo Female Diver Culture

Tasting raw sea urchin and abalone freshly caught at coastal shacks

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of women divers harvesting sea urchin, abalone, and octopus without oxygen masks.

Gyeonggi-do 경기도

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Must-try:Suwon Galbi (Marinated Beef Short Ribs)Icheon Ssalbap (Royal Claypot Rice)Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae (Army Stew)

Gangwon-do 강원특별자치도

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Must-try:Chuncheon Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-fried Chicken)Makguksu (Buckwheat Cold Noodles)Chodang Soft Tofu (Gangneung)Hanu Beef (Hoengseong)

Gangneung Anmok Coffee Street & BTS Bus Stop

Sip hand-drip artisan coffee while listening to crashing waves

Coastal road lined with specialty roasting cafes facing the deep blue East Sea, plus Jumunjin BTS album cover bus stop.

Chuncheon Soyang Skywalk

Chuncheon Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street for spicy pan-fried chicken

Lakeside city famous for water leisure and outdoor bicycle trails along Lake Uiam.

Gyeongsangbuk-do 경상북도

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Must-try:Andong Jjimdak (Braised Soy Chicken)Gyeongju Hwangnam-ppang (Red bean pastry)Andong SojuYeongdeok Snow Crab

Jeollabuk-do (Jeonbuk) 전북특별자치도

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Must-try:Authentic Jeonju BibimbapKongnamul Gukbap (Bean Sprout Soup)Jeonju Makgeolli Alley FeastChoco Pie at PNB

Jeonju Hanok Village

Strolling through stone-paved alleys in traditional colorful Hanbok

Korea’s largest concentration of intact traditional Hanok architecture, buzzing with crafts, street snacks, and teahouses.

Jeollanam-do (Jeonnam) 전라남도

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Must-try:Yeosu Gejang (Soy-sauce Marinated Crab)Suncheon Kkomak (Mud Clams)Boseong Green Tea PorkNamdo Hanjeongsik (Full Table Banquet)

Boseong Daehan Dawon Green Tea Fields

Tasting rich green tea soft-serve ice cream and matcha lattes

Picturesque terraced tea hills set against cedar trees, producing Korea’s finest organic green tea.

Incheon 인천광역시

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Must-try:Original JajangmyeonIncheon Sinpo Dakgangjeong (Sweet Spicy Crispy Chicken)Blue Crab Soup (Kkotgetang)

Incheon Chinatown & Open Port Area

Jajangmyeon Museum and Gonghwachun historic restaurant

Established in 1884, birthplace of Korean-Chinese Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) and preserved 19th-century concession architecture.

Daejeon 대전광역시

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Must-try:Sung Sim Dang Fried SoboroKalguksu (Spicy Knife-cut noodle)Tofu Duruchigi (Spicy Braised Tofu)

Sung Sim Dang Bakery

Tasting warm Fried Soboro (crisp peanut crumb bun with red bean filling)

Michelin Green Guide certified historic bakery founded in 1956, renowned nationwide for its signature Fried Soboro pastry.

Daegu 대구광역시

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Must-try:Makchang (Grilled Pork/Beef Intestines)Mungtigi (Daegu Raw Beef)Napjak Mandu (Flat Fried Dumplings)Spicy Jjimgalbi

Seomun Market & Night Market

Pork belly skewers, grilled gopchang, and flat dumplings (Napjak Mandu)

One of Korea’s oldest Joseon markets, transforming every evening into an 80-stall sizzling street gourmet corridor.

Chungcheongnam-do (Chungnam) 충청남도

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Must-try:Gongju Chestnut Makgeolli & BreadsBoryeong Grilled ShellfishCheongyang Chili Stir-fry

Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk) 충청북도

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Must-try:Danyang Garlic Hanjeongsik (Garlic full course)Chungju Lake Freshwater Fish Stew (Maeuntang)Olleung Herb Salad

Gyeongsangnam-do (Gyeongnam) 경상남도

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Must-try:Tongyeong Chungmu GimbapTongyeong Omija Honey Bread (Kkulppang)Masan Spicy Braised Monkfish (Agujjim)

Gwangju 광주광역시

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Must-try:Gwangju Tteokgalbi (Grilled Minced Beef/Pork Ribs)Gwangju Sangchu Twigim (Deep-fried snacks wrapped in lettuce)Oritang (Rich Duck Stew with Perilla)

Ulsan 울산광역시

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Must-try:Eonyang Bulgogi (Smoky Charcoal Grilled Beef)Bonggye Hanu BeefFresh Gangeon (Skate) & Seafood

Sejong 세종특별자치시

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Must-try:Geumgang River Spicy Minnow StewSejong Hanu BulgogiPear Cider & Local Orchard Treats