How to eat like the Koreans eat

A country’s food and culture are like this (*holds up crossed fingers*). They’re besties. Korean food has become wildly popular around the globe, but the K-BBQ hits different if you’re actually in South Korea. There’s literally no better place to get to know the culture and traditions behind the sizzling-hot cuisine than Seoul. 

Whether you plan to learn Korean in Seoul or are looking to book a trip there, here’s our guide to Korean food and dining culture to help you eat like a local.

First of all, know your bibimbap from your bulgogi

Two hype-worthy dishes worth trying are bibimbap and bulgogi. Bibimbap is a rice bowl topped with a colorful (and often aesthetic) range of seasonal vegetables, meat, and a fried egg. For this dish, simply season with gochujang (Korean red chili paste) and mix it all up in the bowl before eating. Bulgogi is a traditional dish of thin strips of marinated meat (usually beef, but it can also be made with chicken or pork) that are grilled, barbecued, or stir-fried.

Go fermented

A side dish of fermented cabbage leaves with chili, known as kimchi, is a cornerstone of the Korean diet. The fermentation process gives it tangy, umami flavors and packs it with beneficial microbes that are great for gut health. It’s easy to make at home and doesn’t always have to be a supporting act — try adding it to batter and frying it to make a crispy, spicy kimchi pancake called a kimchijeon.

Get grilling

Barbecuing (or K-BBQ) is a big part of Korean culture. This kind of meal is an experience, and ideal to share with friends. Grab your gang, cook the meat together using a grill at the table, and share a range of side dishes known as banchan. Ssamjang — a kind of thick chili sauce that’s both sweet and nutty — is essential. Smother it on a lettuce leaf before adding a heap of the smoky cooked meat and dazzle your tastebuds. 

Learn when to eat

Korean mealtimes are similar to American ones — a big breakfast around 7 a.m. before the workday begins, a light lunch sometime after 12 p.m., and a big evening meal between 6-8 p.m. 

A typical Korean breakfast is savory and might consist of steamed rice, soup, kimchi, and bean sprouts. Western-style breakfast dishes such as toast and eggs are becoming more popular in cities, especially among young people. 

Lunch is a quick event, and might be noodles, or rice with some banchan and soup. The heart of every dinner is plain rice, soup, and pickled vegetables. These will be accompanied by up to five side dishes like grilled meats, stews, or seasonal vegetables.

Sharing is caring

Meals are shared by everyone in the group. When you sit down to dine, there’s no room to be selfish. All the dishes will be served in the center of the table, and everyone is welcome to try each of them. Perfect for when your friend’s order looks better than yours. Use clean spoons to put small portions on your own little plate and try not to rudely reach over anybody to get that last piece of fried chicken.

Pick your tools carefully

In South Korea, the common utensils you’ll use are chopsticks and a spoon. The spoon saves you from slurping the last of your soup (since bowls and plates must be kept on the table at all times) and is used for eating rice, while chopsticks are used for most other things. You should also never stick your chopsticks straight into a bowl of rice. This is a hard no — it looks like something that happens during Korean funerals or offerings left at temples. Just rest them on your bowl or the little stand provided to avoid accidentally insulting anybody.

Get to grips with Korean dining etiquette basics

Whether you’re at a restaurant in Seoul or you’re having dinner at your Korean friend’s house, having good table manners is a sign of respect. Here, age is important. The oldest person at the table often eats first, so wait for them to start before you begin your own meal. The youngest or most junior people at the table should also sit closest to the door. If you’re the guest of honor, you might want to bring a small present or convey a thoughtful greeting of appreciation. 

Happy dining!