Spring is here with in South Korea with breezy weather, it’s the great time to enjoy all the popular Korean dishes during Spring and Summer! If you’re planning a Summer vacation here, and still wondering what to eat in Korea, don’t worry, let’s explore Seoul Korean cuisine together with Your Favorite K-Cult through today’s article!
Spring to Summer: The Best Time to Visit South Korea
Spring and Summer is considered the second most beautiful season in Korea, when this place begins to gradually change from the cold to the warmth of summer. Spring and Summer is also an ideal time to explore famous tourist destinations in Korea. Big cities like Seoul, Busan and Incheon all attract visitors with unique tourist destinations and exciting outdoor activities.
In addition, this is also the ideal time to enjoy popular Korean dishes. With the richness and diversity of dishes, from ginseng chicken soup, Korean mixed rice, bingsu, or marinated crab, etc. visitors will experience the unique and attractive flavors of these popular Korean dishes.
The Popularity and Diversity of Korean Spring and Summer Cuisine
Korean cuisine is an inseparable part of the culture and daily life of the people here. With the delicate combination of natural ingredients and unique recipes, from traditional to modern dishes, Korean Spring and Summer cuisine, especially Seoul Korean cuisine always brings endless richness and diversity.
One of the outstanding features of Korean Spring and Summer cuisine is the meticulousness in preparing each dish. Koreans are very careful about using fresh ingredients and delicate preparation to create delicious and nutritious dishes, each dish is prepared with love and pride.
⭐Explore these 4 Michelin Guide restaurants in Seoul, Korea!
7 Popular Korean Dishes You Must Give a Try!
Korean Mixed Rice (Bibimbab – 비빔밥)
Korean mixed rice is a perfect choice if you are looking for a dish that is rich in flavor. With a variety of vegetables, meat, eggs, etc. from regular mixed rice to stone bowl mixed rice, each type of mixed rice brings a unique culinary experience.
You can easily find this dish everywhere in Korea, from popular roadside restaurants, to university
Recommendations:
- Gogung Myeongdong (고궁 명동): One of the famous bibimbap restaurants in Seoul right at Myeongdong food street.
- Jeonju Jungang Hoekwan (전주중앙 회관): Having a branch in Myeongdong, the mixed rice dish here takes traditional inspiration from Jeonju city – which is considered the hometown of this dish.
Ginseng Chicken Soup (Samgyetang – 삼계탕)
Ginseng chicken soup is a traditional Korean dish, known for its unique flavor and nutritious ingredients. This dish is delicately prepared by Koreans by stewing chicken with herbs and ginseng to create a rich, nutritious and delicious broth.
The special thing about chicken stewed with ginseng is the combination of the characteristic flavor of chicken, the natural sweetness of ginseng and the aroma of different herbs such as onions, garlic, and ginger. This blend creates a rich, nutritious dish that is perfect to enjoy on breezy days or when you need a boost.
Recommendations:
- Tosokchon Samgyetang (토속촌 삼계탕): Tosokchon is a famous Samgyetang restaurant near Gyeongbokgung, cooked in the traditional style with chicken, ginseng and herbs.
- Jinjeonbuk Samgyetang (진전복삼계탕 본점): The ginseng chicken soup stewed with abalone and mushrooms, both spicy and non-spicy, is a must-try at the Gangnam district branch!
Stir-fried Spicy Baby Octopus (Chukkumi – 주꾸미)
The Spicy stir-fry baby octopus is a popular dish in Korea, especially during the Spring and Summer season when baby octopus appears in abundance on the market. This dish is often prepared by stir-frying baby octopus with vegetables and spicy spices such as chilli, garlic, ginger and pepper.
When enjoying spicy stir-fired baby octopus, you can feel the richness of flavor and crunchiness of the baby octopus, along with the best Korean side dishes such as pickled radish, corn and cheese. This is truly a special culinary experience and not to be missed when coming to Korea!
Recommendations:
- Heukdonga (흑돈가): This restaurant specializes in serving fresh seafood dishes, including spicy stir-fried octopus, with rich and spicy flavors right in Meyongdong.
- Gwangjang Market (광장시장): Gwangjang Market is the best place to enjoy Seoul Korean cuisine, here they offers a variety of eateries, many of which specialize in spicy stir-fried octopus.
- Daehongjip Jamsilsaenae (대홍집 잠실새내본점): If you plan to have fun at Lotte World, don’t forget to stop by this restaurant to enjoy a delicious pan of stir-fried octopus!
Marinated Grab (Ganjang Gejang – 간장게장)
Marinated crab are a popular and typical seafood dish of Seoul Korean cuisine, especially popular during the Spring and Summer season when seafood is most abundant and fresh. This dish is often prepared by soaking crabs in spicy and sour sauce, creating a unique and attractive flavor.
When enjoying marinated crab, you will feel the richness in flavor and crunchiness of the crabs, along with the characteristic sour and spicy taste of the soy sauce. This will definitely be a special culinary experience, bringing a sense of harmony and excitement to your taste.
Recommendations:
- Gebangsikdang (게방식당): Located right in the crowded Seongsu-dong, this is a representative Seoul Korean cuisine restaurant in the Michelin Guide 2024 with marinated crabs dish.
- Sunminae Haengbok Gejang(순미네행복게장): Located near the shopping area in Dongdaemun, this famous marinated crab restaurant is extremely popular with locals.
Korean Shaved Ice (Bingsu – 빙수)
You might have heard of the famous mango bingsu in Korean dramas 🥭 Bingsu is a delicious and popular dessert in Korea, especially popular during the hot summer. Although bingsu can be enjoyed year-round, it is often considered an ideal dessert to cool off on hot days.
Bingsu is often decorated with a variety of toppings, including fresh fruit, peanuts, chocolate, condensed milk, cookies, and many other flavors. The combination of cool ice cream and delicious toppings creates a unique and enjoyable culinary experience. Strawberry, cheesecake, and mango bingsu are taking center stage as some of the trendiest toppings these days!
Recommendations:
- Sulbing (설빙) – As a famous bingsu chain in Korea, Sulbing has many different types of bingsu with diverse and attractive toppings. You can find Sulbing stores anywhere, just type search for Sulbing on the map!
- Rafre Fruit (라프레플루트): Located on Seongsu Street, you can roam around the pop-up stores here and stop to enjoy a bowl of mango bingsu, their Spring/Summer best seller .
Grilled Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal – 삼겹살)
Samgyeopsal, also known as grilled pork belly, is one of the most popular Korean dishes. Samgyeopsal is prepared by grilling meat on a charcoal or electric grill. Then, we will roll the meat into vegetables such as sesame leaves, lettuce with carrots, garlic or cucumber, and enjoy it with spices and dipping sauces.
Recommendations:
- Blooming Flower (꽃피는고기): Located near the Hongdae area with many Korean shopping stores and pubs, this will definitely be a destination worth visiting when you want to enjoy grilled pork in Seoul.
- Namchonhwekwan (남촌회관): Located in Myeongdong, this would be an ideal place to enjoy grilled pork belly or pork neck.
Stir-fried Glass Noodles (Japchae – 잡채)
Japchae is a traditional Korean dish, loved for its diverse and beautiful flavors. Japchae is made from glass noodles stir-fried with meat (usually beef or pork), mushrooms, and vegetables. This is one of the most popular Korean dishes that is considered extremely healthy since glass noodles provide energy, meat provides protein, and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals.
Recommendations:
- Japchae Jung (잡채정) – This restaurant specializes in serving delicious and traditional japchae, with soft rice noodles and carefully prepared vegetables, meat and mushrooms.
- Sigol Bapsang (시골밥상) – As a traditional restaurant, Sigol Bapsang is famous for its delicious and nutritious japchae, prepared in a traditional and delicious way.
With these popular Korean dishes above, you will definitely have a complete and diverse culinary experience when traveling to this country in the Spring and Summer. Join Your Favorite K-Cult to enjoy great flavors and create memorable culinary memories during your trip.
May a wonderful journey be with you, kimchi🙏
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