K-Food Guide

100 Korean foods, in one list

The 100 dishes that actually define eating in Korea — each with a one-line intro and official nutrition data from Korea's national food database (MFDS). For the full first-hand experience, see How to Eat Like a Local.

BBQ & Meat

Samgyeopsal 삼겹살 · Samgyeopsal Thick-cut grilled pork belly — Korea's default BBQ night.
Bulgogi 불고기 · Bulgogi Thin-sliced beef in a sweet soy marinade, grilled or pan-cooked.
Galbi 갈비 · Galbi Beef short ribs in a soy-sugar marinade — celebration-tier Korean BBQ.
Dwaeji Galbi 돼지갈비 · Dwaeji Galbi Sweet marinated pork ribs, grilled at the table.
Tteokgalbi 떡갈비 · Tteokgalbi Grilled patties of minced rib meat — galbi flavor, no bones.
Dakgalbi 닭갈비 · Dakgalbi Spicy chicken stir-fried on a big iron plate — Chuncheon's signature.
Jeyuk Bokkeum 제육볶음 · Jeyuk Bokkeum Spicy gochujang pork stir-fry — a lunch-set legend.
Gopchang Gui 곱창구이 · Gopchang Gui Grilled beef small intestines — rich, chewy, beloved with soju.
Yukhoe 육회 · Yukhoe Korean beef tartare with pear, sesame oil and egg yolk.
Jokbal 족발 · Jokbal Soy-braised pig's trotters, sliced and wrapped in lettuce.

Stews (Jjigae)

Kimchi Jjigae 김치찌개 · Kimchi Jjigae Sour-aged kimchi stew, usually with pork — the national comfort food.
Doenjang Jjigae 된장찌개 · Doenjang Jjigae Fermented soybean-paste stew with tofu and vegetables.
Sundubu Jjigae 순두부찌개 · Sundubu Jjigae Bubbling soft-tofu stew, served with a raw egg to crack in.
Budae Jjigae 부대찌개 · Budae Jjigae 'Army stew' — sausage, spam, ramyeon and kimchi in one pot.
Cheonggukjang 청국장찌개 · Cheonggukjang Extra-funky fast-fermented soybean stew — smells bold, tastes deep.
Gamjatang 감자탕 · Gamjatang Spicy pork backbone stew with potatoes and perilla seeds.

Soups & Hot Pots

Samgyetang 삼계탕 · Samgyetang Whole young chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng — summer stamina food.
Seolleongtang 설렁탕 · Seolleongtang Milky ox-bone broth you season yourself with salt and scallions.
Galbitang 갈비탕 · Galbitang Clear beef short-rib soup — the polite lunch of choice.
Gomtang 곰탕 · Gomtang Slow-simmered beef soup, clearer cousin of seolleongtang.
Yukgaejang 육개장 · Yukgaejang Fiery shredded-beef soup with fernbrake and scallions.
Miyeokguk 미역국 · Miyeokguk Seaweed soup — what every Korean eats on their birthday.
Sundae Guk 순대국 · Sundae Guk Hearty pork broth loaded with Korean blood sausage.
Bugeoguk 북어국 · Bugeoguk Dried-pollock soup — Korea's gentle hangover cure.
Haejangguk 뼈다귀해장국 · Haejangguk Pork-bone 'hangover soup' — the heavy-duty morning-after fix.
Kongnamul Guk 콩나물국 · Kongnamul Guk Light soybean-sprout soup, a home-table regular.
Tteokguk 떡국 · Tteokguk Sliced rice-cake soup — eat a bowl, turn a year older (New Year).
Dak Baeksuk 닭백숙 · Dak Baeksuk Whole chicken gently boiled with garlic — samgyetang's plainer sibling.
Gopchang Jeongol 곱창전골 · Gopchang Jeongol Spicy intestine hot pot that bubbles at the table.
Eomuk Tang 어묵탕 · Eomuk Tang Fish-cake skewer soup — the street-stall winter warmer.

Rice & Porridge

Bibimbap 비빔밥 · Bibimbap Rice bowl with seasoned vegetables and gochujang — mix hard, then eat.
Dolsot Bibimbap 돌솥비빔밥 · Dolsot Bibimbap Bibimbap in a sizzling stone pot — the crispy rice is the prize.
Gimbap 김밥 · Gimbap Seaweed rice rolls — Korea's picnic and lunchbox default.
Chungmu Gimbap 충무김밥 · Chungmu Gimbap Plain mini rolls served with spicy squid and radish — Tongyeong style.
Kimchi Bokkeumbap 김치볶음밥 · Kimchi Bokkeumbap Kimchi fried rice, best with a fried egg on top.
Gukbap 국밥 · Gukbap Rice in hot soup — fast, cheap, and deeply Korean.
Kongnamul Gukbap 콩나물국밥 · Kongnamul Gukbap Jeonju's bean-sprout soup-rice, famous as a morning reset.
Hoedeopbap 회덮밥 · Hoedeopbap Raw fish over rice and greens, mixed with chili-vinegar sauce.
Nurungji 누룽지 · Nurungji Scorched rice — eaten crunchy or simmered into a toasty porridge.
Jeonbokjuk 전복죽 · Jeonbokjuk Abalone rice porridge — the get-well-soon luxury.
Patjuk 팥죽 · Patjuk Red-bean porridge, traditionally eaten on the winter solstice.

Noodles & Dumplings

Ramyeon 라면 · Ramyeon Korean instant noodles — a national institution, not a backup meal.
Mul Naengmyeon 물냉면 · Mul Naengmyeon Buckwheat noodles in icy beef broth — the post-BBQ finisher.
Bibim Naengmyeon 비빔냉면 · Bibim Naengmyeon Cold chewy noodles in sweet-spicy sauce — naengmyeon's fiery twin.
Kalguksu 칼국수 · Kalguksu Knife-cut wheat noodles in anchovy or clam broth.
Kongguksu 콩국수 · Kongguksu Noodles in chilled soy-milk broth — a summer-only obsession.
Janchi Guksu 잔치국수 · Janchi Guksu 'Banquet noodles' in warm anchovy broth — simple and nostalgic.
Makguksu 막국수 · Makguksu Gangwon-do buckwheat noodles, cold and tangy.
Jjolmyeon 쫄면 · Jjolmyeon Extra-chewy noodles in sweet-spicy sauce — a bunsik-shop staple.
Sujebi 수제비 · Sujebi Hand-torn dough flakes in broth — rainy-day comfort food.
Mandu 고기만두 · Mandu Korean dumplings — steamed, fried or floated in soup.
Japchae 잡채 · Japchae Sweet-potato glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and beef.

Korean-Chinese

Jjajangmyeon 짜장면 · Jjajangmyeon Black-bean sauce noodles — moving-day and delivery royalty.
Jjamppong 짬뽕 · Jjamppong Spicy seafood noodle soup — jjajangmyeon's eternal rival.
Tangsuyuk 탕수육 · Tangsuyuk Sweet-and-sour fried pork — the 'dip or pour' debate dish.

Street Food & Bunsik

Tteokbokki 떡볶이 · Tteokbokki Chewy rice cakes in sweet-spicy gochujang sauce.
Rabokki 라볶이 · Rabokki Tteokbokki plus ramyeon noodles — the best of both.
Sundae 순대 · Sundae Korean blood sausage with glass noodles — dip it in seasoned salt.
Hotteok 호떡 · Hotteok Griddled pancake with molten brown-sugar filling — winter street gold.
Gyeranppang 계란빵 · Gyeranppang Warm mini bread with a whole egg baked on top.
Korean Corn Dog 핫도그 · Korean Corn Dog Crunchy-coated hot dog on a stick — sugar-dusted, sometimes all cheese.
Dak Kkochi 닭꼬치 · Dak Kkochi Grilled chicken skewers brushed with sweet-spicy glaze.
Donkatsu 돈가스 · Donkatsu Korean-style pork cutlet — thin, wide, and smothered in brown sauce.

Chicken

Korean Fried Chicken 치킨 · Korean Fried Chicken Double-fried, shatter-crisp chicken — the heart of chimaek culture.
Dakgangjeong 닭강정 · Dakgangjeong Bite-size crispy chicken in a sticky sweet glaze.
Jjimdak 안동찜닭 · Jjimdak Andong-style braised chicken with glass noodles in soy sauce.
Dak Bokkeumtang 닭볶음탕 · Dak Bokkeumtang Spicy braised chicken with potatoes and carrots — a home classic.

Seafood

Godeungeo Gui 고등어구이 · Godeungeo Gui Grilled mackerel — the backbone of a Korean set meal.
Galchi Gui 갈치구이 · Galchi Gui Grilled hairtail — silver-skinned, delicate, a Jeju favorite.
Jangeo Gui 장어구이 · Jangeo Gui Glazed grilled eel — Korea's classic stamina food.
Ganjang Gejang 간장게장 · Ganjang Gejang Raw crab cured in soy sauce — nicknamed 'the rice thief'.
Yangnyeom Gejang 양념게장 · Yangnyeom Gejang Raw crab in a spicy-sweet chili marinade.
Agwijjim 아귀찜 · Agwijjim Spicy braised monkfish piled with crunchy bean sprouts.
Nakji Bokkeum 낙지볶음 · Nakji Bokkeum Stir-fried baby octopus in fiery chili sauce.
Jjukkumi Bokkeum 주꾸미볶음 · Jjukkumi Bokkeum Spicy webfoot octopus stir-fry — spring's spiciest craving.
Ojingeo Bokkeum 오징어볶음 · Ojingeo Bokkeum Spicy squid stir-fry, best over rice.
Mulhoe 물회 · Mulhoe Chilled raw-fish soup in tangy broth — a coastal summer dish.
Hoe (Sashimi Platter) 모듬회 · Hoe (Sashimi Platter) Korean-style raw fish platter — eaten with ssamjang and lettuce wraps.
Haemultang 해물탕 · Haemultang Spicy seafood hot pot loaded with crab, shrimp and clams.

Jeon (Savory Pancakes)

Pajeon 파전 · Pajeon Green-onion pancake — the official food of rainy days.
Haemul Pajeon 해물파전 · Haemul Pajeon Seafood-loaded scallion pancake, made for makgeolli.
Kimchijeon 김치전 · Kimchijeon Crispy pancake made from sour kimchi — zero waste, full flavor.
Gamjajeon 감자전 · Gamjajeon Grated-potato pancake — crisp edge, chewy center.
Bindaetteok 빈대떡 · Bindaetteok Mung-bean pancake with pork and sprouts — market-stall classic.

Kimchi & Banchan

Kimchi 배추김치 · Kimchi Fermented napa cabbage — the one dish on every Korean table.
Kkakdugi 깍두기 · Kkakdugi Cubed radish kimchi — crunchy, juicy, born for gukbap.
Dongchimi 동치미 · Dongchimi Icy radish water-kimchi — drink the brine, that's the point.
Pa Kimchi 파김치 · Pa Kimchi Green-onion kimchi — pungent, addictive, best with samgyeopsal.
Oi Sobagi 오이소박이 · Oi Sobagi Stuffed cucumber kimchi — the crunchiest of the family.
Kongnamul Muchim 콩나물무침 · Kongnamul Muchim Seasoned soybean sprouts — the most common banchan of all.
Myeolchi Bokkeum 멸치볶음 · Myeolchi Bokkeum Sweet-savory stir-fried baby anchovies — a lunchbox regular.
Dubu Kimchi 두부김치 · Dubu Kimchi Warm tofu with stir-fried kimchi and pork — a top-tier anju.
Dotorimuk 도토리묵무침 · Dotorimuk Acorn jelly salad with soy-scallion dressing — wobbly and refreshing.
Ssamjang 쌈장 · Ssamjang The BBQ wrap paste — doenjang and gochujang's perfect middle.
Gyeran Mari 달걀말이 · Gyeran Mari Rolled omelette, often with vegetables or gim inside.
Gyeran Jjim 계란찜 · Gyeran Jjim Fluffy steamed egg in a hot ttukbaegi — the BBQ-house side hero.

Desserts & Drinks

Patbingsu 팥빙수 · Patbingsu Shaved ice piled with sweet red beans and toppings.
Yakgwa 약과 · Yakgwa Honey-soaked fried pastry — a traditional sweet back in fashion.
Sikhye 식혜 · Sikhye Sweet rice drink — the classic after-sauna refreshment.
Injeolmi 인절미 · Injeolmi Chewy rice cake dusted in roasted soybean powder.