How to Use Public Transport in South Korea (Beginner’s Complete Guide)
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The rain had just stopped in Seoul.
I was standing near a small street stall in Myeongdong, unsure of what to order. The lady behind the cart smiled, handed me a wooden skewer, and pointed at something steaming gently in broth.
That first bite of tteokbokki spicy, chewy, sweet, and fiery hit me like a memory I didn’t know I had.
At that moment, I realized something powerful:
To understand South Korea, you must eat like Koreans do.
Food in South Korea isn’t just about taste.
It’s about community, history, survival, celebration, and identity.
This guide is written for first-time visitors, food lovers, and travelers who want to eat beyond K-dramas and Instagram trends without confusion or regret.
Before listing dishes, you need to understand how Koreans eat.
Many Korean meals are meant for sharing:
BBQ
Stews
Side dishes (banchan)
Ordering solo portions sometimes isn’t traditional.
Small dishes served with meals are free and refillable in most local restaurants.
Street food isn’t “cheap food” in Korea it’s comfort food.
| Category | Must-Try Items |
|---|---|
| Street Food | Tteokbokki, Hotteok, Odeng |
| Main Dishes | Bibimbap, Bulgogi, Kimchi Jjigae |
| BBQ | Samgyeopsal, Galbi |
| Snacks | Kimbap, Tornado Potato |
| Desserts | Bingsu, Yakgwa |
Now let’s explore each category in depth.
Street food is the heart of Korean daily life.
Spicy rice cakes cooked in gochujang-based sauce.
Bold flavors
Cheap
Everywhere
Spicy • Sweet • Chewy
Myeongdong
Hongdae
Gwangjang Market
๐ Read:
Related read: Best Areas to Stay in Seoul for First-Time Visitors (Local Guide)
Fish cakes simmered in warm broth.
Cheap
Comforting
Perfect in winter
Drink the broth
Eat standing by the stall
Stuffed pancake filled with brown sugar, nuts, and cinnamon.
Winter evenings
Crunchy outside, molten inside.
Often mistaken for sushi but very different.
No raw fish
Perfect travel food
Affordable
Rice topped with vegetables, meat, egg, and chili paste.
Healthy
Customizable
Mild spice (optional)
Kimchi stew with pork or tofu.
Comfort food
Deep fermented flavor
Marinated beef grilled or stir-fried.
First-time visitors
Those avoiding spicy food
Korean BBQ is not optional it’s cultural.
No marinade
Crispy, fatty, flavorful
Wrapped in lettuce with garlic and sauce.
Sweeter, more luxurious than pork BBQ.
Night markets are where food meets energy.
Myeongdong Night Market
Gwangjang Market
Dongdaemun
๐ Read:
Things to Do in Seoul at Night
Spiral potato on a stick.
Sweet bread with egg inside.
Milk-based ice, not water.
Patbingsu
Mango bingsu
One reason food tourism thrives here:
Clean stalls
Regulated markets
Safe tap water
South Korean cuisine changes noticeably by region. Each area reflects its climate, history, and local ingredients. Exploring regional food helps Google see your content as authoritative and comprehensive.
Seoul offers the widest variety of Korean food.
Tteokbokki (street style)
Samgyeopsal BBQ
Gimbap
Kimchi Jjigae
Myeongdong Night Market
Gwangjang Market
Hongdae street food lanes
๐ Read: Best Areas to Stay in Seoul for First-Time Visitors (Local Guide)
Busan’s coastal location makes it Korea’s seafood capital.
Busan-style fish cakes are thicker and richer than Seoul versions.
Cold wheat noodles invented after the Korean War.
Sweet, smoky, and packed with flavor.
Jagalchi Fish Market
BIFF Square
Jeju food is simpler, fresher, and deeply local.
Juicier and more flavorful than mainland pork.
Nutritious and gentle on the stomach.
A local specialty rarely found elsewhere.
Daegu cuisine is known for strong flavors.
Makchang (grilled intestines)
Spicy chicken dishes
Flat dumplings (Napjak Mandu)
A large spread of rice, soup, and many side dishes.
Shows Korean hospitality
Balanced nutrition
Cultural significance
During the hottest days of summer to restore energy.
Light, herbal, comforting.
Often eaten after BBQ.
Served icy cold
Mild, refreshing flavor
Markets are essential for authentic food experiences
Bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes)
Mayak gimbap
Raw beef (for adventurous eaters)
Perfect for:
Local snacks
Souvenirs
Simple Korean meals
Do not start eating before elders
Use both hands when receiving food or drinks
Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice
Sharing food is normal
Bibimbap (without meat)
Vegetable kimbap
Temple food
Insadong
Hongdae
Near Buddhist temples
Itaewon (Seoul’s halal hub)
Halal-certified Korean BBQ restaurants
๐ Read: Top Tourist Attractions in South Korea – Complete Travel Guide for Tourists
Street food: Low cost
Local meals: Moderate
BBQ & seafood: Higher
Eat lunch at local restaurants same food, lower price.
Ordering too much food (portions are shared)
Avoiding fermented food
Expecting Western-style service
Not trying market food
No. Many dishes are mild or customizable.
Yes. Korea has high hygiene standards.
Absolutely. Bulgogi, samgyetang, and gimbap are mild.
Bibimbap, bulgogi, fried chicken, gimbap.
You can visit palaces, watch K-dramas, and shop endlessly but you will never truly understand Korea until you eat its food.
From the heat of tteokbokki on a rainy street to the calm warmth of samgyetang, Korean food tells stories of resilience, tradition, and joy.
Eat slowly.
Share generously.
And let Korea speak to you through its flavors.
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