How to Use Public Transport in South Korea (Beginner’s Complete Guide)

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INTRODUCTION: MY FIRST REAL EXPERIENCE WITH KOREA’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM This article contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.              When I landed at Incheon International Airport for the first time, my biggest worry wasn’t food, language, or accommodation. It was transportation. I had read stories online about complicated subway lines, color-coded buses, and unfamiliar payment systems. Standing at the airport terminal with my backpack, I wondered whether I should just take a taxi everywhere. That decision changed within one hour. By the end of my first day, I had: • Bought a T-money card • Taken the AREX train • Transferred subway lines • Used a city bus • Walked confidently through Seoul South Korea’s public transport system didn’t just move me from one place to another it gave me freedom . This guide is written so you feel the same confidence on your first day . ...

What to Eat in South Korea: Street Food & Local Dishes Guide

Introduction: My First Bite of Korea Changed How I See Food Forever

This article contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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.


How Korean Food Culture Works (First-Timers Must Know)

Before listing dishes, you need to understand how Koreans eat.

1. Food Is Shared, Not Individual

Many Korean meals are meant for sharing:

  • BBQ

  • Stews

  • Side dishes (banchan)

Ordering solo portions sometimes isn’t traditional.

2. Side Dishes Are Unlimited

Small dishes served with meals are free and refillable in most local restaurants.

3. Street Food Is a Way of Life

Street food isn’t “cheap food” in Korea it’s comfort food.

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What to Eat in South Korea (Quick Overview)

          CategoryMust-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.


South Korean Street Food You Must Try (Iconic & Affordable)

Street food is the heart of Korean daily life.


1. Tteokbokki – Korea’s Most Iconic Street Food

What It Is

Spicy rice cakes cooked in gochujang-based sauce.

Why First-Time Visitors Love It

  • Bold flavors

  • Cheap

  • Everywhere

Taste Profile

Spicy • Sweet • Chewy

Where to Try It

  • Myeongdong

  • Hongdae

  • Gwangjang Market

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read:
Related read: Best Areas to Stay in Seoul for First-Time Visitors (Local Guide)


2. Odeng (Eomuk) – Comfort Food on a Stick

What It Is

Fish cakes simmered in warm broth.

Why Koreans Love It

  • Cheap

  • Comforting

  • Perfect in winter

How to Eat It

  • Drink the broth

  • Eat standing by the stall


3. Hotteok – Sweet Korean Pancakes

What It Is

Stuffed pancake filled with brown sugar, nuts, and cinnamon.

Best Time to Eat

Winter evenings

Why It’s Special

Crunchy outside, molten inside.


4. Gimbap (Korean Rice Rolls)

Often mistaken for sushi but very different.

Why It’s Popular


Must-Eat Korean Local Dishes (Traditional & Everyday Meals)


5. Bibimbap – Korea’s Most Balanced Dish

What It Is

Rice topped with vegetables, meat, egg, and chili paste.

Why It’s Ideal for First-Time Visitors

  • Healthy

  • Customizable

  • Mild spice (optional)


6. Kimchi Jjigae – Korea’s Soul Food

What It Is

Kimchi stew with pork or tofu.

Why Locals Love It

  • Comfort food

  • Deep fermented flavor


7. Bulgogi – Sweet & Savory Korean Beef

What It Is

Marinated beef grilled or stir-fried.

Who Should Try It

  • First-time visitors

  • Those avoiding spicy food

  • Best Seoul Food Tours (Highly Recommended)
    If you want to experience authentic Korean street food with a local guide,
    ๐Ÿ‘‰ Book the Seoul Night Market Food Tour here


Korean BBQ: A Must-Have Experience in South Korea

Korean BBQ is not optional it’s cultural.


8. Samgyeopsal – Grilled Pork Belly

Why It’s Famous

  • No marinade

  • Crispy, fatty, flavorful

How It’s Eaten

Wrapped in lettuce with garlic and sauce.


9. Galbi – Marinated Beef Ribs

Sweeter, more luxurious than pork BBQ.


Korean Night Market Food Experience

Night markets are where food meets energy.

Best Markets for Food Lovers

  • Myeongdong Night Market

  • Gwangjang Market

  • Dongdaemun

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read:
Things to Do in Seoul at Night


Korean Snacks You’ll See Everywhere

10. Tornado Potato

Spiral potato on a stick.

11. Egg Bread (Gyeran-ppang)

Sweet bread with egg inside.


Korean Desserts You Must Try


12. Bingsu – Korean Shaved Ice

Why It’s Unique

Milk-based ice, not water.

Popular Types

  • Patbingsu

  • Mango bingsu


Food Safety & Hygiene in South Korea

One reason food tourism thrives here:

  • Clean stalls

  • Regulated markets

  • Safe tap water


Common Food Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make

  1. Expecting everything to be spicy

  2. Eating only BBQ

  3. Skipping street food

  4. Not sharing meals

What to Eat in South Korea: Street Food & Local Dishes Guide

(Part 2 – Regional Foods, Markets, Etiquette & Final Sections)


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Regional Foods in South Korea You Should Not Miss

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.


What to Eat in Seoul – Capital City Classics

Seoul offers the widest variety of Korean food.

Must-Try Foods in Seoul

  • Tteokbokki (street style)

  • Samgyeopsal BBQ

  • Gimbap

  • Kimchi Jjigae

Best Places to Eat in Seoul

  • Myeongdong Night Market

  • Gwangjang Market

  • Hongdae street food lanes

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read:  Best Areas to Stay in Seoul for First-Time Visitors (Local Guide)


What to Eat in Busan – Seafood Heaven of Korea

Busan’s coastal location makes it Korea’s seafood capital.

Must-Try Busan Dishes

1. Eomuk (Busan Fish Cake)

Busan-style fish cakes are thicker and richer than Seoul versions.

2. Milmyeon

Cold wheat noodles invented after the Korean War.

3. Grilled Eel (Jang-eo Gui)

Sweet, smoky, and packed with flavor.

Best Food Areas in Busan

  • Jagalchi Fish Market

  • BIFF Square


What to Eat in Jeju Island – Unique Island Cuisine

Jeju food is simpler, fresher, and deeply local.

Famous Jeju Dishes

1. Black Pork BBQ

Juicier and more flavorful than mainland pork.

2. Abalone Porridge

Nutritious and gentle on the stomach.

3. Hairtail Fish Stew

A local specialty rarely found elsewhere.


What to Eat in Daegu – Bold & Spicy Food Capital

Daegu cuisine is known for strong flavors.

Must-Try Daegu Foods

  • Makchang (grilled intestines)

  • Spicy chicken dishes

  • Flat dumplings (Napjak Mandu)


Korean Traditional Meals You Must Experience At least Once


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13. Hanjeongsik – Traditional Korean Full-Course Meal

What It Is

A large spread of rice, soup, and many side dishes.

Why It’s Important

  • Shows Korean hospitality

  • Balanced nutrition

  • Cultural significance


14. Samgyetang – Ginseng Chicken Soup

When Koreans Eat It

During the hottest days of summer to restore energy.

Taste Profile

Light, herbal, comforting.


15. Naengmyeon – Cold Buckwheat Noodles

Often eaten after BBQ.

Why First-Time Visitors Are Surprised

  • Served icy cold

  • Mild, refreshing flavor


Korean Markets: Where Food Culture Truly Lives

Markets are essential for authentic food experiences


Gwangjang Market – Seoul’s Food Paradise

Must-Try Foods

  • Bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes)

  • Mayak gimbap

  • Raw beef (for adventurous eaters)


Namdaemun Market – Traditional & Affordable

Perfect for:

  • Local snacks

  • Souvenirs

  • Simple Korean meals


Korean Food Etiquette (Very Important for First-Time Visitors)

Basic Rules

  1. Do not start eating before elders

  2. Use both hands when receiving food or drinks

  3. Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice

  4. Sharing food is normal


Vegetarian & Halal Food Options in South Korea

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Vegetarian Food in Korea

Vegetarian-Friendly Dishes

  • Bibimbap (without meat)

  • Vegetable kimbap

  • Temple food

Best Areas

  • Insadong

  • Hongdae

  • Near Buddhist temples


Halal Food in South Korea

Where to Find Halal Food

  • Itaewon (Seoul’s halal hub)

  • Halal-certified Korean BBQ restaurants

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read: Top Tourist Attractions in South Korea – Complete Travel Guide for Tourists


How Much Does Food Cost in South Korea?

Average Prices

  • Street food: Low cost

  • Local meals: Moderate

  • BBQ & seafood: Higher

Money-Saving Tip

Eat lunch at local restaurants same food, lower price.


Common Food Mistakes Tourists Make in Korea

  1. Ordering too much food (portions are shared)

  2. Avoiding fermented food

  3. Expecting Western-style service

  4. Not trying market food


Frequently Asked Questions 

Is Korean food always spicy?

No. Many dishes are mild or customizable.

Is street food safe in South Korea?

Yes. Korea has high hygiene standards.

Can I eat Korean food if I don’t like spicy food?

Absolutely. Bulgogi, samgyetang, and gimbap are mild.

What is the best Korean food for beginners?

Bibimbap, bulgogi, fried chicken, gimbap.

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Final Conclusion: Taste Is the Fastest Way to Understand Korea

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.

How Much Does a Trip to South Korea Cost in 2026? Complete Budget Guide

๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn to cook authentic Korean dishes with a local chef in this Seoul cooking class and market tour.

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