International Tourists in 2025 13.2M Many Come Specifically for the Food

The Korean Wave (Hallyu) has made Korean food one of the most sought-after cuisines in the world. Seoul offers everything from traditional palace cuisine to Instagram-worthy street food.

Seoul Food Highlights

• Korean BBQ is communal — grill your own meat
• Banchan (side dishes) are unlimited and free
• Street food in Myeongdong and Hongdae is legendary
• Soju + beer culture is inseparable from food
• Noryangjin Fish Market offers the freshest seafood

1. Korean BBQ — Maple Tree House, Itaewon

Korean BBQ is the ultimate communal dining. At Maple Tree House, premium marbled beef and pork are grilled over charcoal at your table. Wrap in lettuce with ssamjang, garlic, and kimchi.

Must-try: Kkotsal (boneless short rib) — ₩45,000 (~$34 USD)

2. Tteokbokki — Myeongdong

Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) — chewy rice cakes in fiery gochujang sauce with fish cakes and eggs.

Must-try: Classic tteokbokki — ₩4,000 (~$3 USD)

3. Bibimbap — Gogung, Jongno

Bibimbap in a sizzling stone pot (dolsot) with raw beef, vegetables, and gochujang.

Must-try: Dolsot Bibimbap — ₩13,000 (~$10 USD)

4. Samgyetongyang — Tosokchon

Ginseng chicken soup — whole chicken stuffed with ginseng, jujube, and glutinous rice.

Must-try: Samgyetongyang — ₩18,000 (~$14 USD)

5. Kimchi Jjigae — Hadongkwan

Kimchi stew — aged kimchi, pork, tofu in spicy tangy broth. Serving since 1939.

Must-try: Kimchi Jjigae — ₩11,000 (~$8 USD)

6. Korean Fried Chicken — Kyochon

Double-fried for extreme crunch, coated in sweet-spicy sauce.

Must-try: Honey Combo — ₩18,000 (~$14 USD)

7. Hotteok — Namdaemun Market

Sweet filled pancakes with brown sugar, cinnamon, and peanuts.

Must-try: Hotteok — ₩2,000 (~$1.50 USD)

8. Sundubu Jjigae — Bonga, Gangnam

Soft tofu stew with seafood, topped with raw egg that cooks in bubbling pot.

Must-try: Haemul Sundubu — ₩9,000 (~$7 USD)

9. Japchae — Onggojip

Stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables, beef, and sesame oil.

Must-try: Japchae — ₩12,000 (~$9 USD)

10. Bingsul — Sulbing

Shaved ice with roasted soybean powder, mochi, and condensed milk.

Must-try: Injeolmi Bingsul — ₩10,000 (~$7.50 USD)

Seoul Food Budget

Category	Price (KRW)	Price (USD)	Examples
Street food	₩2,000-5,000	$1.50-4	Tteokbokki, hotteok
Local restaurant	₩8,000-15,000	$6-11	Bibimbap, jjigae
Korean BBQ	₩25,000-50,000	$19-38	Premium beef, pork belly
Fine dining	₩80,000-200,000	$60-150	Korean fusion

Sources: Korea Tourism Organization, Michelin Guide Seoul