Seoul Food Guide: 10 Best Korean Dishes Tourists Are Obsessed With

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.

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

Sources: Korea Tourism Organization, Michelin Guide Seoul