When traveling to Seoul, in addition to shopping and medical beauty treatments, delicious food is definitely an essential part of the experience. Korean cuisine ranges from traditional royal dishes to street-side fried chicken, from the highly effective “drinking-clear soup” to nourishing ginseng chicken soup for summer – there is a vast variety, each with its own unique appeal. In this article, we have selected the top 10 must-try dishes in Seoul in 2026. For each dish, we provide recommended restaurants, average prices, and the best times to enjoy them, helping you to fully experience the local cuisine of Seoul.
NO.1 Korean Barbecue (Samgyupsal)
Korean barbecued pork is one of the most representative culinary experiences in Seoul, and almost every tourist who visits Korea makes sure to try it. The pork is grilled over charcoal or gas, and once it is ready, it is wrapped in lettuce leaves and served alongside garlic, chili sauce, and pickled vegetables. The taste is rich and flavorful, with multiple layers of flavors.
- Average cost per person: 20,000 to 30,000 Korean won (approximately 106 to 159 RMB)
- Recommended areas: Hongdae, Mapo (“The Real Korean Barbeque Street”), Itaewon
- The perfect time: during dinner, paired with a glass of soju – the most authentic way to enjoy it.
- Must-order combination: pork belly + spicy stir-fried bean sprouts + Korean soy sauce soup
NO.2 Korean Fried Chicken
“Chicken fried with beer (chimak)” is the perfect combination that represents the essence of South Korea, and the density of chicken fried restaurants on the streets of Seoul is truly astonishing. Korean-style fried chicken is famous for being fried twice, resulting in a crust that is much crisper than that of regular fried chicken. It comes in various flavors, including original, honey butter, spicy sauce, and garlic-flavored versions.
- Average cost per person: 15,000 to 25,000 Korean won (approximately 80 to 133 RMB)
- Well-known brands: Gyochon Chicken, BHC, BBQ, Kenneth Chicken
- The perfect time: Ideal for late-night snacks, served with South Korean beer or makgeoli.
- Must-try flavors: Honey butter (간장), Spicy sauce (양념), Half-and-half chicken (반반)
NO.3 Unit Pot Stew (Bu-da Chi-gae)
The “troop pot” originated from a hot pot made using leftover military food ingredients and kimchi after the Korean War, and has since evolved into one of the most popular types of pot in Seoul. Luncheon meat, hot dog wieners, rice cakes, and instant noodles are all cooked in a spicy broth, providing a meal that satisfies all tastes.
- Average cost per person: 15,000 to 20,000 Korean won (approximately 80 to 106 RMB)
- The most authentic locations: Uigeongbu (the birthplace, known as “the street of military-style restaurants”), and several ordinary restaurants near Hongdae
- Best times: Cold weather, or for breakfast and lunch after a hangover to help with detoxification.
- Precautions: The spiciness of the broth can be adjusted; for first-time users, it is recommended to choose the “spicy” or “mildly spicy” option.
NO.4 Samgyetang (Chicken Soup)
Ginseng chicken soup is a traditional Korean tonic dish. A whole young chicken is stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, jujubes, and garlic and then simmered for several hours. The soup has a milky white color, and the meat is tender and soft. Koreans are accustomed to drinking ginseng chicken soup during the hottest days of the summer to “use heat to counteract heat” and replenish their energy.
- Average cost per person: 15,000 to 25,000 Korean won (approximately 80 to 133 RMB)
- Recommended restaurants: Tusu Village Ginseng Chicken Soup (located next to Gyeongbokgung Palace; the oldest restaurant in Seoul with a strong tradition of waiting in line), Baekje Ginseng Chicken Soup (near Myeongdong).
- Optimal time: At noon during the summer, when you need to replenish your energy.
- Eating tips: First, drink the clear broth, then tear the chicken into pieces and eat them dipped in salt or chili sauce; finally, add some white rice to make chicken porridge.
NO.5 Marinated Crab (Ganjang Gejang)
Marinated crab is raw crab seasoned with soy sauce, offering a sweet, salty, and fragrant taste. South Koreans call it the “rice-stealing crab” because it is so delicious that people often end up eating several bowls of rice without even realizing it. The best time to enjoy marinated crab in South Korea is during the spring months of April and May, when crabs are at their most plump and flavorful.
- Average cost per person: 30,000 to 60,000 Korean won (approximately 159 to 318 RMB, depending on the size of the crab)
- Recommended areas: There are many well-reputed crab restaurants in Hongdae, Seongsu, Apgujeong, and other areas.
- Best time: Spring (April to May) – this is when the crabs are at their fullest and most delicious.
- Eating tips: Use crab shells as bowls to serve rice mixed with the sauce – this is the most authentic way to eat it in South Korea.
NO.6 Cold Noodles (냉면)
In South Korea, cold noodles are divided into two categories: water cold noodles (물냉면), which feature a clear and refreshing broth, and bibim cold noodles (비빔냉면), which are mixed with a spicy sauce for a tangy and spicy flavor. The thin buckwheat noodles, paired with half-cooked eggs, kimchi, and shredded cucumber, make them the perfect choice for summer, but South Koreans enjoy them throughout the year.
- Average cost per person: 10,000 to 15,000 Korean won (approximately 53 to 80 RMB)
- Recommended restaurants: Pyongyang Noodle House (authentic North Korean-style cold noodles, located near Dongdaemun) and Yulai House (an established restaurant in Dongdaemun).
- The best time: The perfect choice for reducing fever in summer, or as a side dish after grilling.
- Ordering tips: If it’s your first time trying this, choose cold noodles with water-based broth instead of spicy ones; the portion size is relatively large, so two people can share one portion and order additional dishes afterward.
NO.7 Stone Pot Bibimbap
Bibimbap is South Korea’s most representative dish. Rice is topped with a variety of cold vegetables, chili sauce, and fried eggs (or raw beef), and served in a hot stone pot, where a crispy crust forms on the bottom. Before eating, it is thoroughly mixed, ensuring that each bite combines vegetables, rice, and the sauce perfectly.
- Average cost per person: 10,000 to 15,000 Korean won (approximately 53 to 80 RMB)
- Local delicacies from the birthplace of this tradition: Gwangju bibimbap is the most authentic version (you can take a half-day KTX trip from Seoul to enjoy it), and there are also many high-quality restaurants in various parts of Seoul.
- The perfect time: lunch – it’s simple, quick, and filling.
- A must-try dish: Beef Bulgur Rice (Yukhoe Bibim Bab) is a distinctive South Korean dish with a tender and unique texture.
NO.8 Spicy Stir-Fried Rice Cake (Tteokbokki)
Spicy stir-fried rice cakes are the essence of street food in South Korea. These chewy rice cake strips are stir-fried in a sweet and spicy sauce, with the addition of fish slices and boiled eggs – a simple recipe that is truly addictive. You can find authentic spicy stir-fried rice cake stalls at the Gwangjang Market in Seoul, on the streets of Hongdae, or near the Sinseon Snow Soup restaurant.
- Average cost per person: 3,000 to 8,000 Korean won (approximately 16 to 42 RMB, for street vendors)
- Recommended locations: Guangcang Market, Hongdae Street Food Stalls, the intersection in Sinsa-dong
- The best time to enjoy these snacks is during afternoon tea, or you can combine them with fish skewers and blood sausages to form a “set of three”.
- Precautions: The spiciness of South Korea’s spicy stir-fried rice cakes far exceeds what you might expect; those who are sensitive to spicy food can opt for the version with white rice cake soup.
NO.9 Snowy Noodle Soup (설렁탕)
Snowy broth is a traditional South Korean beef bone soup. It is made by simmering beef bones and beef for several hours, resulting in a thick, milky-white soup with a light and sweet flavor. When served with kimchi, scallions, and salt for personal seasoning, it has become a favorite home-cooked breakfast or lunch option among locals in Seoul.
- Average cost per person: 10,000 to 15,000 Korean won (approximately 53 to 80 RMB)
- Recommended restaurants: Zelkova Snow Soup (Seoul Seolrangtang, an established restaurant near Dongdaemun) and Jungnimjang (Seoul Jungnimjang, a century-old establishment).
- The best time: for breakfast or to help overcome a hangover – choose a light and nourishing option.
- Dining tips: Add scallions, salt, and pepper to taste, and serve it with kimchi.
NO.10 Korean-style Jajangmyeon
Korean fried noodles are a “national staple food” of South Korea that evolved from Chinese fried noodles. They are made by stir-frying onions and minced pork in a black sweet soy sauce, resulting in a sweet and rich flavor that is distinctly different from that of Chinese fried noodles. Paired with pickled radish slices to reduce richness, they have become a symbol of South Korea’s takeout culture.
- Average cost per person: 8,000 to 12,000 Korean won (approximately 42 to 64 Chinese yuan)
- Recommended locations: Seoul Incheon Chinatown (the most authentic option), and various Chinese-Korean restaurants in the vicinity of Hongdae.
- The best time to consume this: with a quick lunch, or paired with the combination of fried noodles and stir-fried noodles with soy sauce (“Jjamnap”).
Overview of the costs for must-try foods in Seoul in 2026
| Ranking | delicious food | Per capita (Korean won) | Agreed on the amount in RMB | Top recommended locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO.1 | Korean barbecue | 20,000 to 30,000 | 106 to 159 yuan | Mapo Barbeque Street |
| NO.2 | Korean-style fried chicken | 15,000 to 25,000 | 80 to 133 yuan | With chain stores throughout the city, Hongdae is the most bustling area. |
| NO.3 | Military canteen | 15,000 to 20,000 | 80 to 106 yuan | Uigeongbu, Hongdae |
| NO.4 | Chicken broth | 15,000 to 25,000 | 80 to 133 yuan | Tusu Village (near Jingfugong) |
| NO.5 | Marinated crabs | 30,000 to 60,000 | 159 to 318 yuan | Hongdae, Seongsu |
| NO.6 | Cold noodles | 10,000 to 15,000 | 53 to 80 yuan | Dongdaemun Pyongyang Noodle House |
| NO.7 | Rice mixed with stone pot dishes | 10,000 to 15,000 | 53 to 80 yuan | Available throughout the city; the most authentic version in the entire province. |
| NO.8 | Spicy Stir-Fried Rice Cake | 03,000 to 8,000 | 16 to 42 yuan | Guangcang Market, Hongdae Street |
| NO.9 | Thick snow soup | 10,000 to 15,000 | 53 to 80 yuan | Dongdaemun Zelkova Snow Thick Soup |
| NO.10 | Korean fried noodle soup with sauce | 8,000 to 12,000 | 42 to 64 yuan | Incheon China Town |
Suggestions for a food tour in Seoul
If you only have 3 days, here is the itinerary with the highest concentration of delicious foods:
- Day 1 Dinner: Mapo pork barbecue + soju – an introduction to South Korea’s food culture
- Lunch on Day 2: Ginseng and Chicken Soup from Tusu Village (remember to queue up in advance)
- Afternoon Tea on Day 2: Spicy Stir-Fried Rice Cake, Fish Sushi Skewers, and Mung Bean Pancakes – a set of three dishes from Guangcang Market
- Dinner on Day 2: Hongdae Fried Chicken + South Korean draft beer, accompanied by street performances
- Lunch on Day 3: Stone Pot Rice or Clear Soup, ending the day with a light meal
- Dinner on Day 3: Cold noodles at Dongdaemun’s Pyongyang Noodle House. Make sure to eat your fill before going shopping.
A guide to delicious Korean cuisine combined perfectly with a medical beauty trip
Many tourists choose to combine gourmet tourism with medical beauty treatments: they receive non-stop skincare treatments in the morning (such as hyaluronic acid injections, Asce+ Exosomes, Pico treatments), and then go shopping and enjoy delicious food in the afternoon—without any conflict at all. By booking medical beauty services through BeautsGO, one can flexibly arrange their time, allowing their trip to Seoul to include both enjoying the local cuisine and experiencing Beauty treatments in one go.
In summary
Seoul’s food scene is far more diverse than you might imagine – from spicy fried rice cakes available for just 3,000 won on the streets to lavish crab dishes costing 60,000 won in高档 restaurants, every dish is rooted in South Korea’s rich culinary culture. The top 10 recommendations listed here cover a wide range of options, from breakfast to late-night snacks, from street food to formal meals, and we hope they will serve as an excellent guide for your food adventure in Seoul in 2026.