10 Korean Foods Foreigners Love | Must-Try Korean Dishes
Korean food has become increasingly popular around the world, from Korean BBQ and bibimbap to spicy tteokbokki and crispy Korean fried chicken.
But with so many delicious Korean dishes to choose from, where should you start?
Here are 10 popular Korean foods that are especially approachable for international visitors and anyone trying Korean food for the first time.
Some are sweet and savory, some are spicy, and others are comforting dishes Koreans enjoy in everyday life.
If you're curious about Korean food, these 10 dishes are a great place to start.
1. Bulgogi (불고기)
Bulgogi is one of the most famous Korean dishes.
Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce typically made with soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and sugar, then quickly cooked.
Its mild, slightly sweet flavor makes bulgogi an excellent choice for people trying Korean food for the first time.
It is commonly served with steamed rice and Korean side dishes called banchan.
2. Japchae (잡채)
Japchae is a popular Korean noodle dish made with chewy glass noodles, vegetables, and a sweet-savory soy sauce seasoning.
The noodles are traditionally made from sweet potato starch, giving them their distinctive chewy texture.
Japchae is commonly served at Korean celebrations and family gatherings, but it is also enjoyed as an everyday dish.
It can be served warm or at room temperature.
3. Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개)
Kimchi jjigae is one of Korea's classic comfort foods.
It is a hearty stew made with well-fermented kimchi and commonly includes ingredients such as tofu, pork, green onion, and other vegetables.
The broth is spicy, savory, and slightly tangy from the fermented kimchi.
Koreans commonly eat kimchi jjigae with a bowl of hot steamed rice.
4. Bibimbap (비빔밥)
Bibimbap literally means "mixed rice."
A bowl of steamed rice is topped with colorful vegetables, meat, egg, and usually gochujang (Korean red pepper paste).
Before eating, everything is mixed together.
Because the ingredients can easily be adjusted to personal taste, bibimbap is a great introduction to Korean food.
5. Tteokbokki (떡볶이)
Tteokbokki is one of Korea's most famous street foods.
The main ingredient is chewy Korean rice cakes called tteok, cooked in a spicy, slightly sweet red sauce.
Fish cakes and green onions are commonly added as well.
You'll often find tteokbokki at Korean street-food stalls and snack restaurants.
If you enjoy spicy food, this is definitely one to try.
6. Gimbap (김밥)
Gimbap is a Korean dish made by rolling rice and various fillings in sheets of dried seaweed.
Common fillings include egg, carrot, cucumber, pickled radish, spinach, ham, or imitation crab.
The roll is sliced into bite-sized pieces, making it convenient for picnics, lunch boxes, and quick meals.
It may look similar to sushi, but its seasoning and fillings give it a distinctly Korean flavor.
7. Korean Fried Chicken (한국식 프라이드치킨)
Korean fried chicken is famous for its extra-crispy exterior and variety of sauces.
You can enjoy it plain and crispy or coated in a sweet and spicy sauce.
In Korea, fried chicken is also closely associated with chimaek — a popular combination of chicken and beer.
It's one of the easiest Korean foods to recommend to someone trying Korean cuisine for the first time.
8. Doenjang Jjigae (된장찌개)
Doenjang jjigae is a traditional Korean stew made with doenjang, Korean fermented soybean paste.
It commonly contains tofu, zucchini, onion, mushrooms, and other vegetables.
Its deep, savory flavor is very different from the spicy flavor of kimchi jjigae.
This is an everyday comfort food that many Korean families regularly enjoy at home.
9. Galbi (갈비)
Galbi is Korean-style marinated beef short ribs and one of the most popular Korean BBQ dishes.
The ribs are typically marinated in a sweet and savory mixture containing ingredients such as soy sauce, garlic, sugar, sesame oil, and sometimes Korean or Asian pear.
They are then grilled until caramelized and slightly charred.
For anyone who loves grilled meat, galbi is an excellent introduction to Korean BBQ.
10. Kimchi Jeon (김치전)
Kimchi jeon is a savory Korean pancake made primarily with chopped kimchi and a simple batter.
It is pan-fried until the outside and edges become crispy while the inside stays tender.
The tangy flavor of fermented kimchi becomes especially delicious when cooked into a crispy pancake.
It's also an easy Korean dish to make at home with relatively simple ingredients.
Which Korean Food Would You Try First?
These 10 dishes show just how diverse Korean food can be.
You can start with the sweet and savory flavors of bulgogi or galbi, try Korean comfort foods such as kimchi jjigae and doenjang jjigae, or explore popular street foods such as tteokbokki and gimbap.
And the best part?
Many of these dishes can be made at home, even if you don't live in Korea.
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This English version was translated and edited with the assistance of AI.