Author
H.D. PARK
Table of Contents
Korean food has taken the world by storm — and it’s not just because of K-pop and K-dramas. With bold flavors, communal dining traditions, and a balance of spice and comfort, Korean cuisine is one of the most vibrant food cultures in the world.
If you’re new to it or looking to explore beyond kimchi and bibimbap, this guide will walk you through what makes Korean food so beloved, including a Korean food list of 16 must-try dishes at the end.
An Introduction to the Korean Food Culture
Korean food culture is built around sharing. A typical Korean meal doesn’t revolve around individual plates but rather a spread of shared dishes (banchan) that accompany rice, soup, and a main entrée. Everyone eats from the same center which is quite different from how westerners have their meals.
Another key aspect is seasonality and fermentation. Koreans have long relied on fermented foods like kimchi, gochujang(red pepper paste), and doenjang(soy bean paste) to enhance flavor and preserve food, creating deeply complex tastes that are also rich in probiotics.
Sharing: The Heart of Korean Dining Culture
One thing that might surprise many people from Western countries is how much Koreans love to share their food. I totally get that this can feel unfamiliar — I’ve lived abroad myself, and I’m also used to the Western way of eating, where everyone orders their own dish and eats off their own plate.
But in Korea, sharing is the norm — and not just at Korean restaurants. Even when we go out for pasta or pizza, it’s common to place everything in the center and share. This way, we get to try more dishes together, which I personally think is a huge advantage.
At a Korean restaurant, you’ll likely be greeted with a spread of small side dishes called banchan. These are for everyone at the table to enjoy. What’s even better is that banchan are complimentary — if you finish them, you can simply ask for more. In fact, some places even have a self-serve banchan bar where you can help yourself. I’ve seen a few Korean restaurants abroad that charge extra for banchan, and that’s something most Koreans find quite shocking!
Depending on the dish, the main course may also be designed for sharing. It’s common to have a bowl of rice or an individual plate (apjeopsi, 앞접시) in front of you, while the main dish is placed in the middle. Everyone helps themselves from the shared dish. Of course, some meals like bibimbap or gukbap are usually served as individual portions — but overall, Korean dining is a collective experience.
So if you’re planning to visit Korea, it’s a good idea to get comfortable with the idea of sharing your food. Not only is it part of the culture, but it’s also a delicious way to bond with others.
Traditional Etiquette at the Korean table
From my perspective, Korean table manners aren’t all that different from Western ones. If you’re considered polite back home, you’ll likely do just fine in Korea too. And if you make a mistake, don’t worry — Koreans know you’re a guest and won’t expect you to follow every custom perfectly. That said, there are a few things worth knowing that can make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.
First off, in many Korean restaurants — especially casual or mid-range places — you won’t always find the silverware (spoons and chopsticks) already laid out. Instead, look for a small drawer or shelf under the table. It’s quite common these days. If you’re the youngest at the table, or simply being considerate, it’s polite to take the silverware out and distribute it to others. It’s also nice to pour water for everyone — again, not a strict rule, but something Koreans appreciate.
One of the more traditional rules rooted in Confucianism is about respecting age and hierarchy. If you’re dining with someone older than you, wait for them to start eating first before digging in. It’s a simple gesture that goes a long way.
Here’s an important taboo: don’t stick your chopsticks or spoon upright into your rice bowl. It resembles a ritual offering for the dead and is considered bad luck at the table.
If alcohol is involved — and chances are it will be, especially at dinner — there’s another layer of etiquette. Koreans typically use two hands when pouring or receiving drinks. You pour for the older person first, and they’ll usually return the gesture and pour yours in turn. It’s a sign of mutual respect and hospitality.
And of course, don’t forget the toast! In Korea, people often clink glasses and say “짠!” (jjan!) — similar to “cheers” — or “건배!” (geonbae!). The unique clinking sound of little soju glasses brings everyone together, no matter how long the day was.
What is 회식(Hoesik)? A Look Inside Korea’s After-Work Dining Culture
If you’ve ever been to Korea and walked past a Korean BBQ restaurant on a weekday evening, you may have heard the unmistakable sounds of laughter, sizzling meat, and clinking glasses — all coming from what’s known as 회식 (hoesik).
회식 literally means “gathering for a meal,” but it’s so much more than just dinner. It’s a common part of Korean culture, where teams gather to eat, drink, and bond outside the workplace.
At my office, our team has a 회식 about once every quarter. We usually book tables at a restaurant — sometimes more than 10 people at once. The vibe is far from formal. Unlike a quiet business dinner you might expect in other cultures, a 회식 is meant to be lively, and sometimes even loud.
As the meal goes on and the mood becomes more relaxed, people often shuffle seats to talk to different colleagues. This informal seat-switching isn’t just allowed — it’s encouraged. It’s a rare chance to speak more freely with team leaders, coworkers from other departments, or someone you usually only say hello to in the hallway.
And it doesn’t always end with dinner. Many 회식 gatherings continue with 2차 (second round) and sometimes even 3차 (third round) — moving from the restaurant to a bar, then maybe to a karaoke room, and occasionally even a late-night snack spot (pocha or ramyeon place). It’s not uncommon for these nights to go well past midnight.
Of course, not everyone drinks heavily or stays out late, and that’s perfectly okay. But for many Korean teams, 회식 is a way to loosen up, celebrate milestones, or just relieve stress together — outside the usual boundaries of the office.
Anyways, if you find yourself in a Korean BBQ restaurant in the evening, especially in an area with lots of office buildings, brace yourself. The place might be packed with business people celebrating a hard day’s work — complete with laughter, soju toasts, and sizzling meat on every table.
16 Korean Food Dishes you Must Try
Whether you’re planning a trip to Korea or just exploring new flavors at your local Korean restaurant, these 16 dishes are some of the best and most beloved in Korean cuisine. Each one has a story — and a flavor — worth experiencing.
1. 김치찌개 (Kimchi-jjigae)
A spicy, comforting stew made with aged kimchi, pork or tuna, tofu, and veggies. It’s warm, bold, and pairs perfectly with a bowl of rice.
2. 분식 (Bunsik)
More of a category than a single dish, bunsik refers to casual Korean street foods like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), eomuk (fish cake), and sundae (Korean blood sausage). Cheap, cheerful, and addictive.
3. 곱창 (Gopchang)
Grilled beef or pork intestines — chewy, fatty, and full of flavor. It might sound intimidating, but gopchang is a favorite for adventurous eaters and pairs wonderfully with a cold beer.
4. 닭갈비 (Dak-galbi)
Chunks of chicken stir-fried with cabbage, rice cakes, and gochujang (red chili paste). Smoky, spicy, and a crowd-pleaser.
5. 회 / 낙지탕탕이 (Hoe / Nakji-tangtangi)
Raw fish (hoe) or chopped live octopus (nakji-tangtangi) served fresh with dipping sauces. A bold introduction to Korea’s seafood culture.
6. 김밥 (Gimbap)
Korea’s version of a rice roll, filled with vegetables, egg, pickled radish, and sometimes meat or tuna. A perfect grab-and-go meal for hiking or picnics.
7. 냉면 (Naengmyeon)
Cold buckwheat noodles served in icy, tangy broth or mixed with spicy sauce. Light, refreshing, and ideal for hot summer days.
8. 국밥 (Gukbap)
A one-bowl wonder: soup and rice combined into a hearty, filling meal. Often made with pork broth or ox bone, and served with kimchi on the side.
9. 짜장면 (Jjajangmyeon)
Thick, chewy noodles drenched in a rich, black bean sauce with pork and onions. It’s Korean-Chinese comfort food, often delivered late at night.
10. 칼국수 (Kalguksu)
Hand-cut noodles in a clear, mild broth made with anchovy, chicken, or seafood. It’s a simple yet soul-soothing meal, especially on rainy days.
11. 치킨 (Korean Fried Chicken)
Crispy, double-fried chicken coated in sauces like soy garlic or sweet & spicy gochujang. It’s a must-try for anyone who thinks they’ve already had “good” fried chicken.
12. 불고기 (Bulgogi)
Thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil, then grilled or pan-fried. Sweet, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
13. 삼겹살 (Samgyeopsal) – Korean BBQ
Grilled pork belly, eaten with dipping sauces, garlic, and wrapped in lettuce with kimchi. It’s the ultimate Korean BBQ experience — best enjoyed with friends and soju. Learn more about Korean-BBQ here.
14. 족발 (Jokbal)
Soy-braised pig’s feet, sliced and served with spicy radish salad and garlic sauce. Rich in flavor and collagen, and often eaten as a late-night snack.
15. 비빔밥 (Bibimbap)
A bowl of warm rice topped with colorful vegetables, meat, egg, and gochujang sauce. Mix it all together and enjoy a perfect balance of textures and taste.
16. 칼국수 (Kalguksu)
Whether in a seafood version or chicken broth, this noodle dish is so comforting it deserves a second mention.
Hungry yet? These dishes are just the beginning of what Korean cuisine has to offer. You don’t have to try them all in one day — but we won’t stop you.
👉 Want to find the perfect Korean dish for your taste? Try my Korean Food Test and let your cravings lead the way!
