If you’re looking for the best Korean snacks to try in the U.S., you don’t have to start with whatever happens to be trending online. Korean grocery stores offer everything from butter cookies and savory crackers to chocolate treats and sugar-free candy. Having grown up with these foods, I’ve developed my own favorites, and some…
If you’re wondering what to buy at H Mart, there’s much more to discover than instant noodles, kimchi, and Korean snacks. For Koreans living abroad, H Mart is more than just another grocery store. Some people even drive across state lines to stock up on familiar foods. In places without an H Mart nearby, having…
If visiting Culinary Class Wars restaurants in Seoul is on your travel wish list, start with two questions: How much do you want to spend, and when do reservations open? On my last trip to Korea, I wanted to visit restaurants run by chefs from Seasons 1 and 2, but I didn’t make it to…
Walking into a traditional Korean restaurant for the first time can feel a little different from dining in the United States. You may sit down and find water, utensils, and several small dishes appearing on the table before you fully understand what is happening. Your main dish may arrive surrounded by side dishes you never…
If you’re looking for the best Korean street foods in Seoul, traditional markets are one of the easiest and most enjoyable places to start. You do not need a reservation or much Korean. At traditional markets and neighborhood food stalls, you can simply point to something that looks good, order a small portion, and keep…
Korean BBQ is one of those meals almost everyone wants to try in Korea. But the first time you walk into a Korean barbecue restaurant, the table setup can look a little confusing. There may be a grill built into the table, raw meat sold by the serving, scissors and tongs next to you, and…
If you are visiting South Korea for the first time, Korean meals may feel a little different from what you are used to in the United States. One of the biggest differences is that Koreans do not always divide food into strict breakfast, lunch, and dinner categories. Rice and soup can be breakfast, Korean barbecue…
If you’re planning your first trip to Korea, you may wonder whether you need restaurant reservations before you go. The short answer is: sometimes, but not for every meal. Many casual and neighborhood restaurants still accept walk-ins, so you can enjoy plenty of great food in Korea without planning every meal in advance. But for…
Ordering food in Korea can feel intimidating if you don’t speak Korean, especially when you walk into a small local restaurant and realize the menu is entirely in Korean. The good news is that you do not need to speak Korean fluently to eat well in Korea. A few simple phrases, a translation app, and…
Food is one of the best parts of traveling in Korea, but deciding what to eat on your first trip can feel surprisingly overwhelming. If you’re wondering about the best Korean foods to try, this list is a simple place to start. You may already know Korean barbecue, kimchi, or Korean fried chicken. But once…