The greatest way to learn about a culture is through one’s stomach… and Seoul is filled with incredible restaurants. From the tiny hole-in-the-wall eateries to the more fancy and expensive, there is something for everyone’s taste buds. I find it very funny how you can eat a really good meal for ₩5,000 ($4.50) and then spend the same or more for coffee.
Korean dubu kimchi (tofu with spicy pork and kimchi) and chicken geyser
Overall, eating out is very affordable and with very busy lives everyone from office workers to students eat at restaurants or food-stands almost everyday. In North America, Korean cuisines is basically known for its Bulgogi 불고기, Pajeon 파전 and Kimbap 김밥, which are delicious but only a fraction of all that Korean cuisine has to offer. Even though Kochujang 고추장 (chili pepper paste) and Kimchi 김치 (fermented cabbage) are at the base of many dishes, Korean dishes have a wide array of flavors and colors to taste and just enjoy with our eyes…
The delicious Korean BBQ with its side dishes and lettuce
Spicy chicken cooked on the table with a mix of vegetables
Korean tteokbokki (rice cakes) with spicy sauce and seafood
Negmyeon (noodles in an ice cold broth), really refreshing
Korean Samgak kimbab (triangular kimbab)
A variety of Korean pancakes and snacks are always paired with alcohool
Chinese style soup with briskets and noodles in Sinchon
Chirachi style, a big bowl of rice topped with sashimi tuna, vegetables and seaweed, with a bottle of Maehwasu (prune liquor)
Korean Beeth broth with all its delicious side dishes
Authentic sushi train in Gangnam
I’ve been many times to Seoul and I like the healthy traditional food overthere specially the grilled seafood and soups.
Seoul is definitively the place to appreciate food. There are restaurants and coffees everywhere which compete in originality to attract customers. I like seafood pajun and boricha a lot.