Korean dishes are famous all over the world for their spiciness. In fact, before going to Korea, many travelers ask themselves the fateful question: “What will I be able to eat?”. In reality, Korean cuisine is very varied and mainly based on rice, meat, and vegetables. The amount of dishes to choose from is huge, and you will surely find something (but certainly much more!) you like.

Out of all of its mouth-watering recipes, here are 10 Korean dishes you should try during your stay in the country.

1) TTEOKBOKKI

Everyone who watches Korean drama already knows what we’re talking about, and many want to try it! Tteokbokki are cylindrical rice dumplings dipped in a very spicy bright red sauce, they are part of the famous street food, and you can eat them by going to one of the many mobile stalls that can be found anywhere!

2) KIMCHI JIGAE

If you are interested in Korean cuisine, you have undoubtedly heard of kimchi. This side dish with an exceptional aroma is obtained by the fermentation of cabbage seasoned with garlic, ginger, onion, and hot pepper powder, and other ingredients that can vary depending on the area you are in.

Kimchi Jjigae is a soup consisting of kimchi, onion, tofu, and beef or pork. It is a tasty and spicy dish that is always accompanied by a bowl of rice, very useful for tempering the spiciness—highly recommended if you want to try a Korean flavor.

3) PAJEON

Pajeon is the so-called “Korean pizza” baked in a pan, a mixture of flour, eggs, and onions and a fourth ingredient that gives it its prominent flavor. The seafood pajeon and kimchi pajeon are a must-try! It is even better to savor them on a rainy day by dipping them in the sauces with which they are served and a bottle of makgeolli (rice wine), in perfect Korean style!

4) SUNDUBU JJIGAE

Sundubu Jjigae is a soup with sundubu, very fresh and very soft quality tofu. Generally, vegetables and a red sauce called gochujang are added (very spicy and gives the dish a red color). Depending on the type of Sundubu Jjigae you want to eat, other ingredients can be added, such as beef or pork, seafood, Korean ravioli, etc.

Sundubu Jjigae is served in a boiling bowl, in which you can break an egg of your choice. The heat of the dish will boil the egg and make the soup even better! Don’t forget to eat the Sundubu Jjigae, and mix in some of the rice served as a side dish.

5) MUL NEANGMYEON

Mul Neangmeyon is thin buckwheat noodles dipped in a bowl of cold broth, with slices of cucumber, turnip, meat, and a hard-boiled egg to round it all off. The broth is sometimes served with ice, making Mullet Neangmeyon the ideal dish to tackle the hot and humid Korean summer.

Although it may seem a little strange at first glance, we guarantee that after tasting it, you will be enchanted, and it will become your favorite summer dish!

6) DOLSOT BIBIMBAP

The Dolsot Bibimbap is a combination of rice, chopped vegetables, and a raw egg, served in a hot bowl, allowing the ingredients inside to cook further. To enjoy this dish to the fullest, you need to cook the ingredients for about 2 minutes, add a little gochujang sauce and mix everything well so that the egg boils and mixes with the rice and vegetables.

7) HODDEOK

Hotteoks could be described as pancakes filled with brown sugar syrup, honey, chopped peanuts, and cinnamon. Because of their high caloric content, they are mainly sold in the winter period, when the temperature drops and you need an extra gear to get through the day… and what an extra gear! Hotteoks are delicious and worth trying not just once, but also two, three, four times!

8) SEOLLONG TANG

Seollongtang is one of the pillars of Korean cuisine, a delicious soup with a milky color, obtained by cooking ox bones for 15 hours. This soup is served hot with pieces of meat inside and decorated with green onions, and seasoned with black pepper and garlic. A bowl of rice also accompanies this dish and can be added to the stock or eaten separately.

Which of these delectable dishes have you ever tried? Share your experience with us in the comments below!