Korean food is easy to love. Beautifully red and dangerously spicy. Each is as colorful as it is explosively flavorful. As a whole, the popular cuisine builds from rice, vegetables, meats and seafood. Although, just peek into its world of side dishes – it’s an iridescent preview to the wide range of categories and fares that exist in this fascinating culture.

If you don’t have much time in South Korea but want to at least try five major foods that’ll widen your palate, then here are the iconic and traditional Korean dishes that you must try. In case, you don’t leave with any ounce of regret.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jetset Times (@jetsettimes)

There’s no doubt that kimchi is the reigning king of traditional Korean dish, as it’s also the national food of South Korea. The mouthwatering fermented vegetables consist of: napa cabbage (Korean radish,) garlic, spring onions, ginger, jeotgal (salted seafood) and gochugaru (Korean chili powder) for seasoning. It is often used in soups and as a side dish that accompanies every meal.

Bibimbap is another commonly served rice dish in a warm bowl, topped with namul (sautéed vegetables) and gochujang chili paste. Different types of vegetables are layered on top of steamed rice, while many variations come with a raw egg on top. The point is to stir it all together before stuffing your mouth with a savory bite.

Bulgogi is a plate of sliced and marinated meat, typically beef barbecued or stir-fried. Chefs generally use sirloin or ribeye since the latter is easier to cut through. In many restaurants now, chicken and pork are also served as bulgogi. The marinated sauce is a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, scallions, onions, mushrooms, sugar and black pepper.

For lovers of rice cakes, tteokbokki is your jam. Long and ivory white like thick straws simmered so they’re soft and chewy, then cooked in gochujang (chili paste) with eomuk (fish cakes,) eggs and scallions.

Different households or chefs may create various versions, some may add curry, cream, seafood…etc. As great source of protein and iron, spicy tteokbokki can easily be addictive. These rouge traditional Korean dishes are also often sold as street foods.

A steamy chicken soup, samgyetang is a whole chicken cooked with ginseng, garlic and rice. Believed to be good for health, this delicious chicken soup is often enjoyed during summer time, as a way to replenish bodies after a day of physical labor and releasing sweat. Many family recipes are kept in discretion, and often served with ginseng wine to enhance the root’s flavor in the soup.