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There are several Korean dishes that may be somewhat unfamiliar to foreigners.
They often evoke antipathy due to their strong odor or distinctive visual characteristics.
Even among Koreans, there are many differing opinions.
For those interested in exploring this type of cuisine, we'd like to recommend an excellent restaurant to help you get started!
Let's begin😎
Naengmyeon is a cold noodle dish that features noodles, meat, cucumbers, eggs, and various toppings served in a chilled broth. There are several varieties, including Hamheung Naengmyeon and Pyeongyang Naengmyeon, with Hamheung Naengmyeon being particularly popular and well-loved among Koreans. For those trying it for the first time, the dish may seem unfamiliar due to its cold temperature and the chewy texture of the noodles. If you're looking to experience authentic Naengmyeon, consider visiting Ojangdong Heungnamjip, a restaurant with a 70-year tradition. This establishment serves customers warm broth before they enjoy the cold dish and offers Bibim Naengmyeon, which includes seasoned raw fish, as well as Mul Naengmyeon, featuring beef. You can also customize your dish by adding seasonings to suit your taste! Once you savor the Naengmyeon, you'll understand why Koreans often enjoy it as a refreshing dessert after a meat-based meal.
Address: 114 Mareunnae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Work: 11 AM – 8:30 PM (Wed, Closed / 8 PM Last order)
Cheonggukjang is a Korean stew that many foreigners find unappealing due to its strong odor. However, this dish is made by boiling and fermenting soybeans, making it easier to digest than regular soybeans and beneficial for your health. Despite its potent smell, Cheonggukjang is a familiar food for Koreans, and you can easily find it in stew restaurants. Among these, We recommend Daereungwon Bonga, located in Gyeongju, which beautifully preserves the essence of traditional Korea. Daereungwon Bonga serves Cheonggukjang with a balanced flavor, and many foreigners who visit can attest to its appeal. Notably, when you order Cheonggukjang, it is prepared to be enjoyed as bibimbap. Simply place rice in a bowl, add a bit of gochujang and Cheonggukjang, season to your liking, and mix it all together to experience a taste of Korea!
Address: 39-21 Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Work: 10 AM – 8 PM (4 – 5PM Break Time / 7:30 PM Last order)
Koreans have a profound appreciation for whelk, consuming approximately 90% of the world's production. However, this ingredient is rarely utilized in countries outside of France and Japan, which may make first-time tasters feel apprehensive. Whelk is a type of conch known for its chewy texture, mild flavor, and nutritional benefits. At Bujangnimdaek in Euljiro, you can indulge in a variety of golbaengi dishes! From the renowned golbaengi muchim(seasoned whelk) to golbaengi samhap, which is served with boiled pork and kimchi, as well as golbaengi odengtang, a soup made with fish cake, and charcoal-grilled golbaengi that you can peel and eat yourself, there is an array of whelk options to explore. Additionally, be sure to try the highball, ssadaegi, made with a unique distilled liquor that pairs perfectly with these dishes!
Address: 27 Chungmu-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Work: 5 PM – 12 AM (11:30 PM Last order)
Chicken feet, which may seem usual in Asian cultures, are a food that people tend to either love or hate. Even in places where chicken feet dishes are commonly available, many individuals find their appearance unappealing. Have you ever tried Korean-style chicken feet, boiled in a spicy red sauce, as featured in K-content? If you're looking to experience this dish, consider visiting Hanshin Pocha, the most renowned chicken feet franchise in Korea! If you still find the appearance of chicken feet off-putting, there are boneless options available, where the bones have been removed to make them more palatable. You can also enjoy chicken feet in a more vibrant way by serving them with bean sprouts and rice balls! This dish is particularly popular among Koreans as a perfect accompaniment to alcoholic beverages!
Address: 13 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Work: Sun – Thu 5 PM – 4 AM
Fri, Sat 5 PM – 5:30 AM
Eating live octopus, which involves slicing off the tentacles and consuming the wriggling limbs, can be considered quite gore depending on cultural perspectives. In Korea, octopus is often referred to as the ginseng of the sea and is highly regarded for its health benefits. Among various preparations, live octopus is particularly cherished for its unique texture. If you're interested in trying live octopus and exploring a variety of Korean octopus dishes, be sure to visit Namdo Ppeolnagji in Muan! This restaurant also offers a course meal that allows you to sample an array of octopus dishes. The course begins with live octopus, followed by Nakji Tangtangi, and includes Nakji Horonggui, which features octopus skewered and grilled with seasoning, as well as Nakji Yeonpotang, a delightful octopus shabu-shabu. This is a fantastic opportunity to fully enjoy octopus, one of Muan's culinary specialties!
Address: 34 Ppeollakji-gil Muan-eup, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do Work: 9 AM – 9 PM
Skate Fish is a traditional Korean dish with the country consuming 80% of the world's production. Skate Fish can be eaten raw, but the most common way to eat it is as fermented Skate Fish. The longer Skate Fish is fermented, the stronger its unique ammonia smell and pungent flavor become, which is why even many Koreans cannot eat it. If you want to try Skate Fish for the first time, we recommend Hong-eo(Skate Fish) Samhap, which you can try at a Hongeo Jeonmunjeom in Mangwon! Hong-eo Samhap is the most basic way to eat fermented Skate Fish, and it is eaten with boiled pork and kimchi. Skate Fish specialty restaurants are easy to try because the fermentation is not too severe, and you can try various types of Skate Fish such as Hong-eo muchim (spicy marinated Skate Fish) that use unfermented Skate Fish, Hong-eo jeon (pan-fried Skate Fish), and Hong-eo jjim (steamed Skate Fish)!
Address: 7 World Cup-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Work: 5 – 10:30 PM (Sun, Closed)