Korean dishes to try first, and how to order at a Korean restaurant
TUREFF• •0
Korean food is far broader than barbecue and kimchi. This is a starting list for a first trip or a first visit to a Korean restaurant at home, with a few customs that make ordering easier.
Dishes to try first
- Bibimbap: rice topped with seasoned vegetables, egg and gochujang (red pepper paste), mixed together before eating. The stone-bowl version (dolsot) forms a crisp rice crust.
- Korean barbecue: samgyeopsal (pork belly) and galbi (marinated ribs) grilled at the table. Wrap a piece in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang and kimchi, and eat it in one bite.
- Kimchi jjigae: a stew of aged kimchi with pork or tuna and tofu; the everyday comfort food.
- Tteokbokki: chewy rice cakes in a sweet, spicy sauce; the classic street snack.
- Japchae: sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables, mild and good for anyone avoiding spice.
- Korean fried chicken: twice-fried and crisp, often half plain and half sweet-spicy (yangnyeom). Traditionally with beer, called "chimaek".
- Naengmyeon: cold buckwheat noodles in icy broth, a summer favourite.
- Samgyetang: a whole young chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng in broth.
- Gimbap: rice and fillings rolled in seaweed; a cheap, portable lunch.
How eating works
- Banchan (side dishes) come free with the meal, and refills are usually free too. At many places they are self-service.
- Many dishes, especially barbecue and stews, are ordered for at least two people.
- Dishes are shared; rice and soup are your own.
- Spoons are for rice and soup, chopsticks for side dishes. Don't stand chopsticks upright in rice.
- Water is often self-service from a dispenser or a jug on the table.
Useful phrases
- jeogiyo: excuse me (to call staff)
- igeo juseyo: this one, please (point at the menu)
- an maepge haejuseyo: please make it not spicy
- gyesan haejuseyo: the bill, please (you usually pay at the counter on the way out)
If you can't eat something
Many broths are made with anchovy, beef or seafood stock, and "vegetable" dishes may contain fish sauce in the kimchi or meat in the broth. If you are vegetarian or have an allergy, carry a short note in Korean describing what you can't eat; it is much clearer than trying to explain at the table.
What was the first Korean dish you loved? Share it, or a restaurant worth a detour, in the comments.