I’ve been working on this since I first posted about The Omnivore’s 100. I wanted to make sure I hadn’t left out anything obvious. Well, you know what? That’s practically impossible.
Here are the 100 Korean foods you should try in your lifetime. As with The Omnivore’s 100, not all of it is great, but it is necessary to get a deeper perception of Korean cuisine. Most of it is good, though.
You know the rules. Post the list on your blog and highlight the ones that you’ve tried. Or in the comments, copy and paste the ones that you’ve tried.
NOTE: For those of you looking at this on the blog and not in a reader, the things that look like they are in bold are not necessarily the ones I’ve tried. Those are links. The style sheets on this blog design likes to bold hyperlinks.
UPDATE: FatManSeoul has re-posted the list with hangeul 한글 translations. Madame Choi has translated it into French.
ATTENTION: Feel free to copy and paste the entire list to your blog. But please be kind and link back to here and give credit where credit’s due. This list did take a lot of work.
- Myeolchi Bokkeum (Stir-fried Anchovies)
- Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
Bulgogi (Grilled Marinated Beef)
BulDalk (Burn-your-pants-off Spicy Grilled Chicken)
DalkBal (Spicy Chicken Feet)
Dalk Galbi (Stir-fried or Grilled Marinated Chicken and Veggies)
San Nakji, chopped (Semi-live Baby Octopus)
Buddhist Temple Cuisine
Sundubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)
Jeonbok Juk (Rice Porridge with Abalone)
Galbi (Grilled Short Ribs)
Galbitang (Beef Rib Soup)
Shinseollo (Fancy Hot Pot)
Gobchang Gui (Grilled Beef Intestines)
Saeng Gan (Raw Beef Liver)
Galbi Jjim (Stewed Ribs)
BoSsam (Steamed Marinated Pork with Lettuce Wraps)
Japchae (Clear Noodles Stir-fried with Pork and Vegetables)
Jeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-fried Pork)
Kimchi Jjim (Braised Kimchi with Tofu)
Ddong Jip (Chicken Gizzards)
Odeng/Eomuk (Street-side Fish Noodles)
Hoddeok (Stuffed Street-side Pastries)
GeJang (Raw Fermented Crabs)
Hongeo (Fermented Skate)
Gochujang Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly Smothered in Red Pepper Paste)
Sae-u Kang (Shrimp Flavored “Fries”)
Doenjang Jjigae (Fermented Bean Paste Stew)
Cheonggukjang (Stinky Fermented Bean Paste Stew)
Kongbiji Jjigae (Creamy Tofu Stew)
Seonji Haejangguk (Hangover Stew with Clotted Cow Blood)
Ddeokbokki (Chewy Rice Cakes in Spicy Sauce)
YukHui (Korea’s Steak Tartare)
MiyeokGuk (Seaweed Soup)
Mae-eunTang (Spicy Fish Soup)
Nakji Bokkeum (Stir-fried Baby Octopus)
Mareun Ojingeo (Dried Cuttlefish)
Beondegi (Silkworm Larvae)
Golbaengi (Sea Snails)
Jangeo Gui (Grilled Eel)
Nakji Gguri (Grilled Octopus Skewers)
Bok-eo (Blowfish)
Sae-u Sogeum Gui (Salt Grilled Shrimp)
BindaeDdeok (Mung Bean Pancake)
Pajeon (Green Onion Pancake)
Bibimbap (Mixed Rice and Vegetables)
Boribap (Mixed Barley Rice and Vegetables)
Jjim Dalk (Andong-style Braised Chicken)
Patbingsu (Shaved Ice and Red Bean Treat)
Dotorimuk (Acorn Jelly)
Naengmyeon (Chilled Noodles)
Makkoli/Dongdongju (Rice Beer)
Bokbunja (Raspberry Wine)
Soju (Rice Whiskey)
Andong Soju (Strong Rice Whiskey from the Andong Region)
Jogae Gui (Grilled Shellfish)
Haepari (Jellyfish)
Gyeran Jjim (Steamed Egg)
Dolsot Bibimbap (Mixed Rice and Vegetables in a Sizzling Stone Pot)
Mandu (Stuffed Dumplings)
Ddeokguk (Chewy Rice Cake Soup)
Songpyeon (Stuffed Chewy Rice Cakes)
Hot Bar (Fried Fish Batter Street Food)
Shikhye (Sweet Rice Punch)
Any product with Green Tea in it
Gujeolpan (Nine-sectioned Dish)
Any Kimchi that’s over a year old
Baek Kimchi (White Cabbage Kimchi)
Mul Kimchi (Water Kimchi)
Oi Sobaegi (Stuffed Cucumber Kimchi)
Ggakdugi (Cubed Radish Kimchi)
Sae-u Jeot (Salted Tiny Shrimp)
Myeongran Jeot (Salted Pollack Roe)
Saengseon Gui (Korean-style Grilled Fish)
Ssamjang (Mixed Soybean and Pepper Paste)
Kalguksu (Hand-cut Noodle Soup)
Entire Hui Meal (Korean style Sashimi)
Gimbap (Seaweed Rice Rolls)
Jokbal (Pigs Feet)
Sundae (Blood and Noodle Sausage)
Yeot (Traditional Korean Candy)
Naengi (Shepherd’s Purse)
Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
Budae Jjigae (“Army Base” Stew, traditionally including hot dogs and Spam)
Agu Jjim (Stewed Monkfish)
Haemultang (Seafood Soup)
Nurungjitang (Hot Water Mixed with Rice Scrapings in a Stone Pot)
Sujebi (Rustic Dumpling Soup)
Janchi Guksu (Thin Noodles in a Seaweed Broth with Condiments)
BungeoBbang (Goldfish-shaped Stuffed Pastry)
Raw Ginseng or anything with Ginseng in it
MulHui (Chilled Sashimi Soup)
Take the 100 Korean Foods Poll
,,,oh i’m sure that all pretty delicious hope to try all of it…
this site really interest me and look i have all of it in my list,,, hehe
Here are some of my personal favorites that I don’t think are on your list: Kong guksu, any ddeok, haemool ah gu jjim, dae gae hae mool jjim, ori bulgogi, any Korean buffet W20,000 and up, and jjohl myun.
Peace out! Korea kicks ass!
-Robert
Hey Robert,
They were on the list at some point or another and just didn’t make the cut.
Good choices! While I am posting my Korean diner list on my blog and a esl teacher website, I found this and read a couple of what you posted here. Very impressive. I’ve seen a foreigner who regarded Banchan as “just side dishes” as if he analyzed all Korean food. Amazingly, he was a famous chef from France. Such a western-centered view. If Banchan is side dishes, what’s the main dish? On the other hand, I can notice your depth and attitude of understanding Korean food. If you tried San-na-mul, you are trying true Korean food sucessfully. Keep going and let all the world know there are various foods but Kimchi in Korea.
p.s. Ma-reun Ojingeo would be better expression than just Ojingeo. Usually, Makhui is hui with red sauce and some vegetables. If the chilled sashimi soup includes icy water or broth in it, it may be Mulhui.
Thank you, Jin. That means a lot. I’ll make those changes.
really? dog soup?
It’s not popular, but it is historical. Deal with it.
I would try it. Probably not in most K spots in States.
I’d advise from eating it. Dogs are man’s best friend and on another note, they are also raised in horrible conditions which can spread cholera in humans. The dog meat trade is horrific.
really? dog soup?
It’s not a popular part of Korean cuisine, but it’s an historical part. Deal with it.
It’s not popular, but it is historical. Deal with it.
Kimpap,daegikukpap,kamjatang,su muri kuk pap, 🙂
Thank you, Jin. That means a lot. I’ll make those changes.
LOVE everything but Kimchee. Odd that.
Great List