10 Traditional Korean Dishes You Must Try
Korean cuisine offers a rich variety of flavors, and these 10 traditional Korean dishes highlight the very best of it. From bold spices to warm, comforting textures, traditional Korean food brings history and heart to the table. Whether you’re just discovering Korean cooking or have loved it for years, this list of must-try dishes is the perfect starting point for exploring Korea’s most beloved flavors—from sizzling BBQ to soothing soups.
1. Beef Bulgogi
Bulgogi is one of Korea’s most iconic dishes—sweet, savory, and deeply satisfying. Traditionally made with beef (though pork is also popular), bulgogi gets its flavor from a delicious marinade of soy sauce, garlic, fruity sweetness, and sesame oil. If you’ve tried Korean food before, chances are you’ve fallen in love with bulgogi.
2. Kimchi
No list of the 10 Traditional Korean Dishes is complete without kimchi! My traditional kimchi recipe has been passed down through generations—from my grandma to my mom, and now to you. Kimchi season is a real thing in Korea, and it’s a labor of love that pays off with every bite.
3. Bibimbap
Bibimbap is a colorful and nutritious rice bowl topped with a variety of seasoned vegetables, meat, and a fried egg. Dolsot Bibimbap, served in a sizzling stone pot, adds crispy rice at the bottom for extra texture and flavor. This is one of the 10 Traditional Korean Dishes you absolutely must try!
4. Japchae
Japchae is a beloved Korean dish made with Dangmyeon, sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and beef in a savory-sweet soy sauce. It can be gluten-free (if you use tamari soy sauce) and naturally colorful, making it a favorite for parties and gatherings. Japchae is one of the most versatile and crowd-pleasing dishes in Korean cooking.
5. Kimbap
Kimbap is a classic picnic and lunchbox dish in Korea. Rolled with nutty seasoned rice, fresh or pickled veggies, and sometimes protein like bulgogi or tuna, then sliced into bite-size pieces, it’s savory, fun to eat, and full of personality.
6. Manduguk
Every culture has its own New Year food, and for Koreans, it’s Manduguk—dumpling soup served with rice cake or on its own. Tteok (rice cake) symbolizes coins (wealth), and mandu symbolizes bok-jumoni (a lucky bag). It’s a warm, symbolic dish that’s as meaningful as it is comforting.
7. Korean Fried Chicken
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, Korean Fried Chicken is next-level fried chicken. Whether served plain or tossed in spicy garlic or sweet & spicy yangnyeom sauce, this dish is an irresistible favorite among Korean street food lovers.
8. Jjajangmyeon
Jjajangmyeon is a Korean-Chinese noodle dish with a thick black bean sauce made from chunjang. It’s savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly comforting. A must-have on any list of 10 Traditional Korean Dishes, it’s a go-to delivery favorite in Korea!
9. Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki is Korea’s #1 street food—spicy, chewy rice cakes simmered in a sweet and spicy gochujang-based sauce. You’ve seen it in every K-drama for a reason: it’s addictive! Bold, fun, and flavorful, it earns its place on this 10 Traditional Korean Dishes list easily.
10. Samgyeopsal
Samgyeopsal (pork belly) is a Korean BBQ essential. This 8-flavor samgyeopsal recipe brings variety and excitement to the table. Grill it up, wrap it in lettuce with rice, garlic, and ssamjang, and you’ll understand why it’s one of the 10 Traditional Korean Dishes You Must Try.
🙌🏼 There You Have 10 Traditional Korean Dishes!
From hearty soups and sizzling BBQ to sweet-and-spicy street food, these 10 traditional Korean dishes are your ultimate guide to Korean comfort and flavor. Each dish showcases the rich culinary heritage of Korea, offering a taste that’s bold, nostalgic, and unforgettable. Try one or try them all—these timeless favorites are always a good idea.
