21 Best Seoul Foods To Try in 2025
Want to explore different Seoul food options on your next trip to South Korea? Not sure where to start? We’ve gathered a list of foods to try as you travel through the beautiful metropolis that is Seoul. While this cuisine can be enjoyed worldwide today, there’s nothing like an authentic meal in the capital itself.
Along with being delicious in all its forms, Korean food is often packed with health benefits too. A study published by the National Library of Medicine in 2014 shows that following a traditional Korean diet complete with balanced meals can help prevent metabolic syndrome. While that probably excludes excessive amounts of Korean fried chicken and barbecue, it does include staples like kimchi, soups and rice. Let’s take a closer look at what foods the city of Seoul has to offer.
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What Food Is Seoul Known For?
Especially in recent years, Seoul has become known for its mouthwatering food options. From street food to hole-in-the-wall restaurants, famous chains and cozy mom-and-pop shops, there are endless classic Seoul food dishes to explore.
The food scene in this city tells a story based on a long, continual history. Many traditional dishes come from a longstanding agricultural lifestyle, with fermented side dishes like kimchi, drinks like makgeolli (rice wine) and sauces like the ever-spicy gochujang.
In Seoul, the past meets the present with traditional dishes and flavors commonly found among newer, more convenient foods to match busier lifestyles. Like in many Asian cultures, there’s a significant emphasis on sharing food to create stronger relationships.
That’s why you’ll find common shareable meals like Korean barbecue, tteokbokki and shared plates of fried chicken along with soju, beer and a mix of both (somaek). In truth, the drinking culture is just as lively and fascinating. But first things first: let’s take a deeper look at the many different kinds of Seoul food there are to enjoy.
The 21 Best Foods in Seoul To Eat
1. Kimchi (김치)
You’ve probably already heard of this beautifully crimson side dish of spicy, fermented cabbage. Kimchi is a staple in most Seoul food dishes both at home and in restaurants, either as a side or an ingredient to create something even more delicious.
It’s made with vegetables like napa cabbage or Korean radish, which get chopped and brined with salt, red peppers, gochugaru (Korean chili powder) and sometimes jeotgal (salted seafood). After at least a week of fermenting, the result is a tangy, probiotic-filled dish to enjoy with rice and other foods.
2. Bibimbap (비빔밥)
Another great Seoul food dish is bibimbap. Traditional bibimbap is served with sections of colorful ingredients like seasoned vegetables, gochujang (chili paste) and sautéed meat surrounding a raw egg yolk or a fried egg on a bed of rice, all in a hot stone bowl.
Mix everything up, and you’ve got the ultimate comfort food. The best part? The stone bowl creates a crispy layer of rice that adds even more texture to the meal. This warm meal can be found at restaurants as one of the best Seoul food options for recharging during a busy day.
3. Bulgogi (불고기)
Oh, bulgogi. This Seoul, South Korea food is a beloved meal that’s often made at home as well as enjoyed at restaurants. No matter the place, paper-thin beef slices are marinated in sesame oil, sweet Asian pears, soy sauce and garlic, then tossed with colorful chopped carrots and green onions.
After grilling, this delicious sweet-and-savory Seoul food is served with rice, banchan (side dishes) and other vegetables. Cooking methods for bulgogi vary across regions; the distinct 'Seoul-style' uses a special concave grill pan that allows broth to cook simultaneously at the edges, different from the more common, drier grilled versions also widely available.
4. Gimbap (김밥)
Perhaps one of the most well-known Seoul foods is gimbap, also known as kimbap. Gimbap is a rice roll wrapped in seaweed, with fillings like pickled vegetables, a thin strip of julienned egg and cooked meats. It’s quick and easy to eat as a handheld street snack or grocery store/ homemade meal.
While it may look similar to sushi, there are key differences. For starters, sushi rice is seasoned with vinegar, while gimbap rice is seasoned with fragrant sesame oil. And instead of raw fish, cooked fillings are used.
5. Naengmyeon (냉면)
Hot soup in the summer? Naengmyeon is a great alternative. This cold noodle dish is the most refreshing Seoul food you can have to beat the heat and humidity of summertime in the city. Find it as a common restaurant dish, made with slippery, thin buckwheat noodles.
There are two versions: mul naengmyeon and bibim naengmyeon. Mul naengmyeon comes with an icy cold beef stock and water radish kimchi broth. It’s sweet and tangy, with healthy ingredients to help replenish your energy. Bibim naengmyeon comes with spicy gochujang. Be sure to add this to your foodie bucket list.
6. Jjajangmyeon (짜장면)
If you’re craving chewy, delicious wheat noodles, one of the best Seoul food options to try is jjajangmyeon, also known as noodles in black bean sauce. This is actually a Korean Chinese noodle dish, which those who are familiar with the Chinese variation, zhajiangmian might recognize.
It was created in the late 19th century, when Chinese migrant workers started working in Incheon. For this affordable Seoul food dish commonly found in casual restaurants, thick noodles are topped with a rich sauce made with a fermented black bean paste and topped with pork and pickled vegetables.
7. Army Stew / Budae-Jjigae (부대찌개)
During the Korean war, ingredients were scarce. Amid food shortages and finding extra food from American army bases, budae-jjigae was created. This is a unique Seoul food dish that’s both hearty and filling, consisting of instant ramen, kimchi, sliced spam, canned sausages, vegetables and American cheese.
It’s a hotpot American-Korean fusion dish like no other, with a medley of flavors that come together surprisingly well. Today, you can find this classic Seoul food option served in low to mid-tier restaurants to share and enjoy.
8. Sundubu Jjigae (순두부찌개)
Sundubu jjigae is a soft tofu stew. This heartwarming Seoul food is a popular diner dish, especially because of its healthy ingredients and spicy flavor profile. It stars silken tofu in a spicy seafood broth of prawns and clams, along with a raw egg.
You’ll also have a bowl of rice that you can eat with, along with banchan. This is one of those Seoul food dishes that’s best enjoyed in the winter, all while watching the snow falling gently outside.
9. Seolleongtang (설렁탕)
Seolleongtang, or beef broth soup, is a hearty comfort food with origins back in the Joseon Dynasty as a frugal yet filling dish (ordered by the king himself!). This simple and common restaurant dish consists of a thick, white bone marrow-style soup made with ox bones, brisket and other kinds of meat.
You can customize your seasonings after it’s served, with classic salt and pepper, spices and other vegetables. It’s one of the most reliable Seoul foods around for getting warm quickly.
10. Doenjang Jjigae (된장찌개)
This next Seoul food option is doenjang jjigae, a homey fermented soybean paste (doenjang) stew. Think miso soup but much stronger in flavor. Instead of being mild, it’s more pungent.
There are also other ingredients added, like tofu, vegetables and pork. The options for toppings are endless, making it the kind of easy-to-prepare Seoul food dish you’ll find in many households, ready and waiting to nourish the soul.
11. Hangover Stew (해장국)
Haejang-guk, known more popularly as hangover stew, is a famous Seoul food dish that came about to match the lively drinking culture of the city. Restaurants on every other corner sell it, with some having made a decades-long reputation out of their recipes.
There are tons of variations of this soup, but all of them have unique ingredients that help cure that gnawing headache. Some versions use dried sardines as a base and bean sprouts for the vegetable component, while others use congealed blood and beef tripe. It’s definitely a well-known Seoul, South Korea food for locals and tourists alike, especially after a late night out.
12. Samgyetang (삼계탕)
Picture a small whole chicken stuffed with healthy fillings like rice, red dates, garlic and of course, ginseng. That’s samgyetang, a ginseng chicken soup that’s one of the top Seoul food dishes you can try.
The ginseng root gives the soup a slightly bitter taste, which gets balanced out by the sweetness of the dates. This is a piping hot soup that Koreans enjoy on the hottest days of the year, so be sure to try it at a local restaurant next time you’re in Seoul (one of the best foodie cities in the world) during the summertime.
13. Jjin Mandu (찐만두)
Almost every country has a version of a dumpling. South Korea’s version is called jjin mandu, or just mandu. These lovely filling-stuffed street snacks are wrapped with round edges, then steamed, pan-fried, deep-fried or boiled to perfection before serving.
This Seoul food is also available in casual eateries. The cooking of Mandu dates back to the 14th century. The shape of this Seoul food dish helps to reinforce Korean food culture values like connection, balance and nature as well, making it a vital part of new year celebrations along with street food culture.
14. Tteokbokki (떡볶이)
Ever heard of this crowd-pleasing example of Korean street food that everyone loves? After all, it’s become popular around the world. Tteokbokki is a satisfyingly hot and fresh chewy rice cake treat.
This Seoul food is prepared in all kinds of ways, like with classic spicy gochujang, rich jjang (the bean paste mentioned just above!), cheese stuffing or even sweet and spicy sauce. Picture a steaming pan with heaps of rice cakes, waiting to be flavored and devoured. Now, that’s delicious.
15. Tteokguk (떡국)
Similar to tteokbokki is tteokguk, another rice cake-based dish. This homemade Seoul food is much less spicy and more colorful in comparison. It consists of thinly sliced colored rice cakes in a savory meat-based broth.
Usually, the broth is made from beef, chicken, pork or seafood ingredients, along with ganjang (a salty fermented soy sauce). For toppings, usually thin strips of julienned eggs and fresh green onions are sprinkled to finish. This is a comforting food in Seoul, enjoyed during the new year as well as year-round.
16. Soondae (순대)
Also spelled as sundae, this street food delicacy is a classic snack while you’re on the go. Simply put, this food in Seoul and other regions is a stuffed sausage that’s steamed and sliced up before serving.
Cow or pig intestines are stuffed with a variety of minced meats, vegetables, rice, glass noodles, perilla leaves, kimchi and even soybean sprouts. The combination of ingredients varies often and depends on the vendor or restaurant. Every bite of this Seoul food is soft, moist and filled with flavor.
17. Hotteok (호떡)
If you’re craving a sweet treat at any time of the day, simply look for a hotteok stand. This Seoul food can be found at street food stalls, cooked on demand. It’s a handheld rice dough pancake filled with warm sugar syrup.
Each bite is a perfect balance of soft dough and sweet syrup. There are also savory versions of this Seoul food around, filled instead with glass noodles and chopped vegetables. An infamous stall at Namdaemun Market sells this version, with line-ups around the block.
18. Gamja Hot Dog (감자핫도그)
The gamja hot dog is a delicious creation, more commonly known as a classic Korean-style hot dog wrapped in French fry bits and deep-fried to perfection. Yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds. There are a variety of sauces too, from sweet and sour to salty and savory.
You can even get versions with a half-stick of mozzarella cheese in there. This is a popular Seoul food found in street stalls everywhere, making it a convenient pick-me-up when that craving hits.
19. Gopchang (곱창)
To really delve into the Seoul food scene, consider trying gopchang. It’s spicy. It’s great with beer. It’s a piping hot assortment of grilled beef intestines, especially tripe, as well as vegetables like onions and peppers.
Top it with seaweed salad and you’re good to go. Gopchang is known as a dish that’s among the best food in Seoul, because of its affordability and chewy texture. Many opt for this dish as a late-night snack after a long day or week of work.
20. Chuncheon Dak-Galbi (춘천 닭갈비)
This spicy stir-fried chicken dish is named after its origin place: Chuncheon, the capital of Gangwon Province. Of course, it’s a popular Seoul food today too. This hearty one-pan style dish is usually cooked at the restaurant table, with marinated chicken, chopped cabbage, sweet potatoes, perilla leaves and tteokbokki (rice cakes), along with a base of noodles.
Often, it’s served with creamy melted American cheddar cheese as well. Historically, this Seoul food dish arose in the 1960s when pork was scarce but chicken was plentiful.
21. Korean Barbecue (고기구이)
There’s no place like home, and no place for Korean barbecue (gogi-gui) like Seoul. This higher-end Seoul food is all about cooking together at a gas or charcoal grill built right into your restaurant table.
Order different cuts of meat, sometimes marinated, and enjoy them fresh off the grill. To balance the meal, you can also order vegetables, kimchi and extra banchan. It’s perhaps the best food in Seoul for meat lovers. It’s convenient, too, since most restaurants are open late into the night.
Learn To Cook Seoul Foods
After trying some of the most famous Seoul foods out there, you may get hit with the need to learn how to recreate these dishes on your own. Sign up for one of the cooking classes near you to learn all about how to cook authentic Korean dishes, including the ones found in Seoul and so much more. If you want to do so in the comfort of your own home, online cooking classes could be the best of both worlds.
If you’re still curious about exploring Seoul’s food scene, you can sign up for one of the food tours in Seoul. Expert guides will lead you to hidden gems and famous spots, share history and knowledge the entire way. This is a great method for finding the best restaurant and street food options as a visitor.
When it comes to Seoul food and the city’s food scene in general, there’s simply too much to cover in a single article. Still, this is a great start to exploring the many foods you can enjoy.
Korean food and history are intrinsically connected, and exploring through meals, snacks and street foods is a fantastic way to learn more about the nuanced history of the country. It’s exciting to see all the traditional techniques and modern innovations come together in different restaurants in Seoul.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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