What to eat first in Korea
5 dishes you must try in your first 48 hours.
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Korean BBQ (삼겹살 or 갈비)
This is the quintessential Korean meal. Samgyeopsal (pork belly) is the most popular cut, 14,000-18,000 KRW per serving. Galbi (marinated short ribs) is pricier at 20,000-35,000 KRW. Meat is grilled at your table. Wrap it in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang sauce, and whatever banchan (side dishes) you want.
Tip: Banchan (the 5-10 small dishes that come free with every meal) are unlimited refills. Just ask for more.
Tteokbokki (떡볶이) from a street stall
Spicy rice cakes in gochujang sauce. The most popular Korean street food. Find it at any market or pojangmacha (street food tent). Costs 3,000-5,000 KRW for a generous portion. Gwangjang Market in Seoul has some of the best.
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Bibimbap (비빔밥)
Rice topped with vegetables, meat, egg, and gochujang. Mix everything together before eating. Available at almost every Korean restaurant for 8,000-12,000 KRW. The dolsot (hot stone pot) version comes sizzling and creates a crispy rice layer at the bottom.
Kimchi jjigae (김치찌개)
Kimchi stew with pork, tofu, and vegetables. Served bubbling hot with rice. This is Korean comfort food, available everywhere for 7,000-10,000 KRW. Perfect for cold days or when you want something simple and satisfying.
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Street food at Gwangjang Market
Seoul's oldest market and the best place for a street food crawl. Must-try: bindaetteok (mung bean pancake, 5,000 KRW), mayak kimbap (mini seaweed rice rolls, 3,000 KRW), and yukhoe (raw beef tartare, 15,000 KRW). Get there before noon on weekdays to avoid the worst crowds.
Tip: Korean restaurants do not expect tips (it is actually baked into pricing by law). Use Woongie (woongie.com) to discover the best local restaurants near you, with reviews and recommendations from real visitors.
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