✅ Introduction
If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, choosing what to eat can feel overwhelming. Korea offers an incredible variety of flavors — spicy dishes, comforting soups, sizzling barbecue, flavorful street foods, and healthy vegan options.
한국을 처음 방문하면 무엇을 먹어야 할지 고민되기 마련입니다. 한국은 매운 음식, 따뜻한 국물 요리, 불향 가득한 BBQ, 다양한 스트리트 푸드 등 풍부하고 매력적인 음식 문화로 유명합니다.
This guide introduces the Top 10 Must-Try Korean Foods for Beginners, selected carefully to be:
- Easy for foreigners to enjoy
- Not too spicy (or with mild options)
- Popular and commonly found everywhere
- Affordable and beginner-friendly
Whether you’re exploring Seoul, Busan, or Jeju, these foods will help you fully experience Korea’s culinary culture.
이 가이드는 한국을 처음 방문하는 여행자들이 쉽게 즐길 수 있도록 부담 없고 대중적이며 전 세계 여행자들이 좋아하는 10가지 한국 음식을 선정했습니다.
✅ TOP 10 MUST-TRY KOREAN FOODS FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS
➖ 1. Korean Fried Chicken (치킨)
Korean fried chicken is extra crispy and comes with flavors like soy garlic, sweet-spicy, honey butter, and original.
- Perfect with beer (“치맥”)
- Easy, safe, familiar flavor for beginners
- Available everywhere — from street shops to restaurants
Great for: anyone who loves fried food and wants a safe, tasty first experience.
➖ 2. Bibimbap (비빔밥)
A beautiful bowl of warm rice topped with colorful vegetables, egg, and optional meat.
- Mild, healthy, balanced
- Most restaurants can adjust spiciness
- Vegetarian-friendly option
Tip: Try Jeonju Bibimbap (전주비빔밥) if you want the most traditional version.
➖ 3. Tteokbokki (떡볶이)
A beloved Korean street food with chewy rice cakes in a spicy-sweet sauce.
- Not all tteokbokki is spicy — ask for “less spicy (안 맵게)”
- Popular beginner-friendly versions: rosé tteokbokki, cream tteokbokki
Great for: snack lovers and street food explorers.
➖ 4. Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개)
A comforting stew made with kimchi, tofu, and pork.
- Hearty, warm, full of flavor
- Mild options available in many restaurants
- Perfect for cold weather or rainy days
Beginners tip: Start with mild kimchi jjigae if you’re not used to spice.
➖ 5. Korean BBQ / Samgyeopsal (삼겹살)
A must-try experience!
Grill pork belly right at your table, wrap it in lettuce, and enjoy with garlic, kimchi, and sauces.
- Fun dining experience
- Not spicy
- Perfect for groups
Popular sauces: ssamjang (쌈장), sesame oil with salt (참기름 + 소금).
➖ 6. Bulgogi (불고기)
Thin slices of marinated beef cooked with onions and vegetables.
- Sweet, savory, very beginner-friendly
- Great alternative to spicy dishes
- Available in most Korean restaurants
This dish is often used in Netflix shows and Korean dramas, so it’s familiar to many visitors.
➖ 7. Jajangmyeon (짜장면)
Noodles with a rich black bean sauce — originally from Chinese cuisine but now a Korean classic.
- Not spicy at all
- Cheap and filling
- Perfect for lunch
You’ll often see it in K-dramas during moving-day scenes.
➖ 8. Korean Gimbap (김밥)
Rice, vegetables, egg, and meat rolled in seaweed.
- Light, portable, budget-friendly
- Great for travelers on the go
- Tons of variations: tuna (참치김밥), bulgogi, cheese, vegetable
Often referred to as “Korean sushi rolls,” but without raw fish.
➖ 9. Bingsu (빙수)
Korea’s famous shaved ice dessert topped with fruit, condensed milk, or red beans.
- Refreshing and perfect for summer
- Options: mango bingsu, strawberry bingsu, green tea bingsu
- Instagram-worthy!
A must-have in Myeongdong and Hongdae.
➖ 10. Sundubu Jjigae (순두부찌개)
A spicy soft tofu stew with seafood or pork.
- Soft texture, comforting flavor
- You can request your spice level
- Typically served with rice and small side dishes (“banchan”)
Mild sundubu is great for beginners — soft, warm, delicious.
✅ Extra Tips for Beginners
✔ Choose restaurants with many customers → turnover = freshness
✔ Avoid food that has been displayed too long (street vendors)
✔ Eat mainly hot, freshly cooked foods
✔ If you have allergies, say:
- “알레르기가 있어요 (I have an allergy). 이것 들어있나요? (Does this contain this ingredient?)”
✔ Ask for mild food:
- “안 맵게 해주세요 (please make it not spicy).”
These simple phrases make ordering much easier.
✅ Conclusion
Korean cuisine is flavorful, diverse, and welcoming to beginners.
Whether you love spicy food, prefer mild flavors, or want something healthy and comforting, Korea has something perfect for you.
한국 음식은 다양하고 풍부하며 초보 여행자도 충분히 쉽게 즐길 수 있습니다. 맵지 않은 메뉴, 친숙한 맛, 건강한 조리법 등 선택 폭이 넓기 때문에 부담 없이 한국 미식을 경험할 수 있습니다.
Start with these Top 10 Must-Try Korean Foods, and you’ll enjoy the best parts of Korean food culture — safely, deliciously, and with confidence.