AsiaKorea

5 Food You Must Try At Least Once in Korea

Photo credit: thatkoreanfood

 

First time to Korea and you have absolutely no idea what to eat apart from kimchi, bibimbap, Korean BBQ and tteokbukki? You are in for a treat today — we’ll be sharing five food you have to try in Korea!

1. Macho Bulgogi

Just an hour and a half away from Seoul in Cheongju, Macho bulgogi is something we can binge on seven
times a week
and not get tired of it. Tried and tested.
Photo credit: Naver
Before digging in, you’ll be served with
fishcake soup and a side of pickled radish as starters.
Photo credit: Naver

The rice will be topped with kimchi, seaweed and a fry egg, which you are supposed to mix it together like bibimbap – only that this tastes way better. Then comes the holy grail: stir fried chicken/pork with soy sauce paired with chewy rice cakes.

Something simple is always getting underestimated – you’ll experience what it’s like to be in heaven within minutes of tasting this dish! The simplicity of everything blends so well together you can’t help but keep coming back for more.

2. Beef Gukbap

Located just beside Cheongju National University Hospital, Hanwoo Gamasot Gukbap is a comfort food you must try if you are within the area.

Sogogi gukbap, aka beef soup rice, is a spicy beef soup served with rice – a favourite amongst the locals, especially in traditional Korean markets. As boring as it may seem, this is the ultimate comfort food that warms your body and soul, especially during winter.

Photo credit: Naver
The broth is cooked with beef bones for many hours; radish, spring onion and leek are added to give the soup a refreshing after taste. The traditional way of eating gukbap is to mix the rice into the soup, but if you prefer to not have your rice getting soggy, go ahead and enjoy it separately!

3. Jjimdak

Originated a long time ago in the Gyeongsangdo region, jjimdak is now altered to meet the taste of modern diners. The dish is prepared by mixing pre-cooked chicken marinated with Korean soy sauce, and vegetables with cellophane noodles, it is then simmered to perfection at high heat and served on large plate that covers nearly half the table.
If you are curious about your chopsticks skills, this is a good time to put it to test. You will find the noodles slipping out of your chopsticks or falling out your mouth each time you try to capture it, a challenge I may say, but very worth it.

4. Korean Spicy Baby Back Ribs with Cheese

Be prepared to be overwhelmed by one of the hottest food in Korea, ribs with cheese!
You’d never think that they could come together as a perfect match, but they are! Melted cheese with the lightly spiced ribs, oh how the flavours burst in your mouth! As
you dip the ribs in the pool of cheese, have a round of tug-o-war with the cheese – how far you can stretch the cheese before it decides to snap!

5. Bingsu

Popular in Singapore, and favourite among the ladies in Korea, bingsu is a Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings like fruits, condensed milk, fruit syrup or injeolmi powder.
You might think, why go to Korea for
bingsu when it’s available here at home? For one, bingsu in Korea is
definitely much more affordable and two, it’s so light and fluffy! The ice
shavings are exceptionally flaky, refined, rich and milky, just like
snowflakes! One serving of bingsu can feed two, so you
may want to order one first instead of going straight for two.
While you’re planning your trip, consider exploring the mysterious relationship between North and South Korea at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, taking yourself on a unforgettable Paragliding experience or going on a One Day Tour at famous filming site of ‘The Descendants of the Sun’ in Taebaek, Gangwon Province!
Tags: