Renowned for an array of fermented delicacies, Korean food brims with complex flavors. Featuring well-balanced combinations of rice, veggies, seafood, meat, and seasonings, this gastronomy highlights robust tastes and textures from fresh components. Dive deeper into the article to explore 9 less-familiar gourmet specialties worth sampling in South Korea.

Korean cuisine
is increasingly being recognized globally due to the export of its culture, and it is garnering more appreciation. Dishes such as
gimbaps
,
bibimbap
, and
kimchi,
Many food lovers are attracted to its flavors and healthful, well-balanced qualities. However, alongside its widely celebrated traditional specialties, there are some less-familiar dishes that you should consider sampling during your upcoming visit to South Korea!

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Mandus
, Korean dumplings

Filled with either veggies or meat, these half-moon pastries are notably convenient for snacking. Whether you enjoy them fried, sautéed, or steamed, they remain equally delightful.
mandus
features an extensive array of flavors. While visiting South Korea, make sure to check out various eateries to sample countless taste combinations and fillings.

Yachaejon
, vegetable pancake

Despite their limited recognition beyond South Korea, these reinvented pancakes continue to be quite beloved within the country. Perfect either as an accompaniment or for a casual meal,
yachaejeon
is composed of a dough made from wheat flour combined with an assortment of vegetables. You can use carrots, onions, zucchini, spinach, sweet potatoes, or even radishes—add your favorites to make this comforting and flavorful meal, commonly enjoyed at numerous cozy eateries throughout South Korea.

Dakgangjeong
, crunchy and sweet Korean-style fried chicken

Even though it’s gaining popularity in Europe, the recipe for Korean fried chicken remains relatively uncommon.
Dak
“Chicken,” and ‘صندمعلومات
صند
gangjeong
A combination of ‘a Korean sweet’ creates
dakgangjeong
This culinary blend combines elements from both dishes. Usually prepared with Korean spices and garlic, this customary meal, commonly featured at significant gatherings, offers a robust taste that perfectly harmonizes sweetness and savoriness.

Myulchu gimbap

Every aficionado of Korean cuisine is acquainted with
Gimbaps
, which are significantly bigger Korean-style maki rolls featuring a broad array of fillings. However, have you sampled the variant with anchovies? These can be found in just a handful of eateries across South Korea.
gimbaps
Are served alongside a multitude of tiny fish known as myeolchi, which are delicate anchovies cherished by Koreans. This rendition significantly alters the dish’s consistency, providing a notably robust and exceptionally crunchy maki. Should you encounter it, make sure not to pass up the opportunity to taste it!

Eomuk
, stir-fried fish cake

A staple item in Korean street cuisine,
eomuk
(known as ‘odeng’ in certain areas) involves blending ground white fish with flour. This blend creates a sort of dough, which is subsequently sliced into rectangular pieces and threaded onto skewers in a folded pattern prior to cooking. To enhance flavor, the skewer is immersed in broth. Widely enjoyed, this dish is frequently served from food carts, providing a full dining encounter.

Kalguksu
, noodle soup

As a staple cuisine originating from South Korea,
kalguksu
Is frequently enjoyed every day and exists in numerous forms. Essentially, it is just a soup featuring hearty handcrafted noodles paired with broth. This meal can be modified with different meats and veggies, adjusted for spiciness or milder tones, and presented either piping hot or chilled. Given the wide range of regional adaptations, there are as many versions as there are areas, making this a flexible cuisine that you can tailor to suit your personal preferences.

Songpyons
, classic Korean rice dessert

Specially made for
Chuseok
a celebration of the harvest period
songpyons
are crafted from rice flour dough.
Slightly resembling
mochis
The dough needs to soak for an extended period to become sticky. After preparation, it gets stuffed with sesame seeds and a mixture of red bean paste and honey, followed by sealing. Subsequently, these cakes are cooked using steam infused with pine needle aroma and enjoyed fresh off the heat. They offer a complex yet refined flavor, providing a remarkable gastronomic delight.

Gyeranpang
, egg bread

Available on numerous street corners throughout South Korea, this petite delicacy serves as an ideal solution for sudden cravings. Essentially, it consists of an oval, tender roll akin to a brioche, into which an egg has been added. This concoction is subsequently grilled on a hotplate and savored right away. Its consistency is light and airy, complementing the interplay between the dough’s subtle sweetness and the egg’s savory notes. As you meander through your travels, you’ll likely encounter these snacks virtually everywhere, typically priced at around 1 euro.

Baesuk
, Korean steamed pear

To conclude your dining experience, how about opting for a dessert featuring pears? However, these aren’t ordinary pears!
baesuk
Is crafted using a big Korean pear that’s simmered in a mixture of ginger, pepper, and honey. This exceptionally sweet traditional treat is also widely regarded as a natural cure for coughs. Numerous eateries reinterpret it into various forms such as pastries, beverages, or starters, all while maintaining the subtle sweetness that has contributed to its popularity nationwide.