Your Complete Guide to Korean Food and Tourism
Experience authentic Korean cuisine, discover hidden gems, and navigate Korea like a local with our comprehensive travel companion.
Discover the rich culinary traditions of Korea with detailed guides, food terminology, and restaurant recommendations tailored for foreign visitors.
Explore Korea's most popular attractions with our interactive maps, suggested itineraries, and insider tips from locals and experienced travelers.
Navigate Korean customs with ease through our comprehensive etiquette guides, language tips, and cultural insights to enhance your travel experience.
| Korean Term | Pronunciation | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 반찬 | Banchan | Side Dishes | Small dishes served with meals, including kimchi and various vegetables |
| 비빔밥 | Bibimbap | Mixed Rice | Rice topped with various vegetables, meat, and egg, mixed with gochujang sauce |
| 김치 | Kimchi | Fermented Vegetables | Korea's iconic fermented side dish, most commonly made with napa cabbage |
| 불고기 | Bulgogi | Marinated Beef | Thin slices of beef marinated in sweet soy sauce and grilled |
| 고추장 | Gochujang | Red Chili Paste | Spicy, sweet fermented condiment used in many Korean dishes |
| 포장마차 | Pojangmacha | Street Food Vendor | Small tented stalls selling popular street foods |
| 한정식 | Hanjeongsik | Korean Full Course | Traditional multi-course Korean meal with numerous side dishes |
A colorful mixed rice bowl with vegetables, meat, egg, and gochujang sauce. Available in regular or dolsot (hot stone bowl) versions.
Interactive dining experience where meat is grilled at your table. Popular varieties include samgyeopsal (pork belly) and galbi (beef ribs).
Chewy rice cakes in a spicy gochujang sauce, a beloved Korean street food that's both satisfying and affordable.
Spicy kimchi stew with pork, tofu, and vegetables, perfect for cold weather or when you need comfort food.
Sweet potato noodles stir-fried with vegetables and sometimes beef, seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil.
Ginseng chicken soup with a whole young chicken stuffed with rice, ginseng, garlic, and jujube, traditionally eaten during hot summer days.
The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. Visit in the morning to see the changing of the guard ceremony.
Iconic tower offering panoramic views of Seoul from its observatory. Famous for thousands of love locks adorning its railings.
A traditional Korean village featuring hundreds of hanok (traditional houses) dating back to the Joseon Dynasty.
Korea's largest island and most popular holiday destination with volcanic landscapes, beaches, and waterfalls.
Korea's most famous beach, hosting festivals, cultural events, and offering beautiful coastal views.
UNESCO World Heritage site containing ancient temples, tombs, pagodas, and artifacts from the Silla Kingdom.
A revitalized neighborhood featuring colorful street art and murals, perfect for photography enthusiasts.
A vibrant hillside community known as the "Santorini of Korea" with colorful houses and artistic alleys.
Scenic rolling hills covered with lush green tea plantations where you can try fresh green tea and tea-infused foods.
More authentic and less crowded than Seoul's hanok villages, with over 800 traditional Korean houses and cultural experiences.
In 2024, South Korea welcomed 16.37 million foreign visitors, representing 94% of pre-pandemic levels and a 48.4% increase from the previous year. The tourism sector has shown strong recovery with record spending by international tourists.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization (2024)
Our interactive map will help you navigate Korea with ease, highlighting food destinations, tourist attractions, transportation options, and more. Select different layers to customize your view based on your interests.
Interactive map visualization will appear here
Powered by Naver Maps API
Finding halal food in Korea has become easier in recent years, especially in major cities. The Korea Tourism Organization categorizes Muslim-friendly restaurants to help Muslim tourists dine conveniently.
Download our Halal Food Guide PDF for a complete list of certified restaurants across major Korean cities.
Traditional Korean cuisine offers many vegetarian-friendly options, though some dishes may contain fish sauce or anchovy broth. These naturally vegetarian Korean dishes are widely available:
Look for restaurants displaying the "채식" (chaesik) sign, which means vegetarian food.
Many Korean dishes are naturally gluten-free or can be made gluten-free with simple substitutions:
Useful phrase: "밀가루 알레르기가 있어요" (mil-galu al-le-leu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo) – "I have a gluten allergy"
Common allergens in Korean cuisine include:
Carry an allergy card in Korean listing your specific allergies. Our site offers printable cards for common allergies.
| English | Korean | Pronunciation | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요 | Annyeong-haseyo | General greeting |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 | Gamsahamnida | Expressing gratitude |
| Excuse me | 실례합니다 | Shillye-hamnida | Getting attention |
| I don't speak Korean | 한국어를 못해요 | Hangugeo-reul mot-haeyo | Language barrier |
| Where is the bathroom? | 화장실이 어디예요? | Hwajangsil-i eodi-yeyo? | Finding facilities |
| This is delicious | 맛있어요 | Mashisseoyo | Complimenting food |
| How much is it? | 얼마예요? | Eolma-yeyo? | Shopping/restaurants |
Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive travel guides, seasonal recommendations, and special offers from our partners.