Published Date : Jul 21, 2014 / Edited Date : Feb 13, 2019
Bibimbap(Rice Mixed with Vegetables and Beef)
Bibimbap is one of Korea’s most wellknown dishes. It is a dish that is very much in line with the overall Korean food philosophy, as it is both delicious and nutritious. Depending on the ingredients used, bibimbap can be a meat-based or vegetarian dish. Regions throughout the Korean Peninsula have their own unique versions of bibimbap, but the most famous is the one from Jeonju-si in Jeollabukdo. The dish has changed over the years – most notably with today’s practice of using chili paste instead of soy sauce as in ancient times –likely in order to better savor the taste of each individual ingredient.
Jeon (Korean Pancake)
Better known as ‘Korean pancake,’ jeon is as popular among tourists as is bibimbap. In Korea, people enjoy eating jeon on rainy days, and it has been shown that during the monsoon season, sales of oil and flour hit the roof. Especially popular are pajeon, green onion pancake, and kimchijeon, or ‘kimchi pancake’. Bindaetteok is a pancake comprised of pork and kimchi added to a mung bean batter. Although it is originally from the Hwanghaedo and Pyeongando regions of North Korea, it is now enjoyed throughout South Korea as well. Koreans will customarily dip jeon in soy or other sauces to improve its flavor.
Bulgogi / Galbi
Koreans love meat – so much so that it was even written in ancient Chinese history books that “Koreans enjoy grilling meat.” At one point in the Joseon Dynasty, Koreans were eating so much meat that there were not enough cows around to work the fields, and it became prohibited to kill cows used for farming.
Traditionally, meat was – and still is – marinated in a sweet soy sauce-based marinade before grilling, but since the 1980’s, lightly salted grilled beef has also become quite popular.
Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly)
Samgyeopsal is a cut of pork belly meat whose name literally translates to ‘three-layered meat’. Although two to three times more expensive than other pork cuts,Koreans love samgyeopsal and the demand for it is so high that it is even imported from countries such as Denmark and France. Chunky slices of samgyeopsal are typically char-grilled or cooked in a pan, then wrapped in lettuce or sesame leaf with garlic and ssamjang (soybean dipping sauce), although restaurants often also specialize in their own unique dipping sauces. However, the best accompaniment to samgyeopsal is none other than Korea's famous alcohol, soju.
Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
There is a strong belief in Korea that the body’s energy must be replenished during the hot months of summer. Therefore when the heat of summer is at its peak, many people will eat samgyetang, or chicken ginseng soup. Samgyetang is made by stuffing a small hen with ginseng, glutinous rice, garlic, jujubes and chestnuts then slow-cooking the ingredients until the meat is tender. The resulting broth alone, slightly bitter in taste, is considered efficacious and good for rejuvenating tired bodies. Some samgyetang restaurants in Seoul also serve diners a shot of insamju (ginseng liquor), before bringing the chicken, as it is believed that a small amount of alcohol in advance actually helps the body absorb all the nutrients from the food.
Yangnyeom Chicken (Spicy Fried Chicken)
Yangnyeom chicken is a uniquely Korean take on American-fried chicken, which was first introduced into the country after the Korean War and extremely popular by the 1980s. By the following decade, Korean restaurateurs began experimenting with their own versions of the dish, coating the chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce, and yangnyeom chicken was born. Since then, further variations have appeared, with soy sauce chicken being a key example. Yangnyeom is now a popular late-night snack and typically served with beer. Chi-maek, meaning ‘chicken and maekju (beer)’, is a common slang used by young adults.
tteok-bokki (Stir-fried Rice Cake)
tteok-bokki is Korea’s representative street food, and carts selling the snack can be found throughout the streets of Seoul. The original tteok-bokki was made of stir-fried garaetteok (cylindrical rice cakes) and beef in soy sauce, and was served in the royal palace.
After the Korean War soy sauce was substituted with chili paste, creating the tteok-bokki Koreans enjoy today. Most tteok-bokki vendors also sell eomuk (fish cakes), sundae (korean sausage) and twigim (fritters), which are also recommended.
Kimchi
Although kimchi, Korea’s signature dish, can be found almost everywhere in the world, the most authentic varieties are surely still in Korea. Kimchi is a must in a Korean meal, so much so that no restaurant in Korea will charge extra for it.
There are over 200 variations of kimchi today, with both regional and seasonal variations determining which ingredients will be used. The dish is made by mixing together Korean cabbage, radish, pumpkin, onion, and other vegetables with chili powder, crushed garlic and salted seafood, which is then left to ferment. The measure of well-made kimchi is the crispness of the cabbage leaves and its taste.
Makgeolli (Traditional Korean Rice Liquor)
Makgeolli is a traditional malt liquor, and when strained to a refined clear liquor becomes cheongju (literally ‘clear liquor’), or Korean sake.
Makgeolli made for export needs to be sterilized, however as the process destroys amino acids and bacteria actually considered good for one’s health, the reader is advised to try the original, unsterilized makgeolli during their time in Seoul.
The difference in taste will be apparent. This traditional drink – extremely popular in recent years – goes well with most Korean foods, but it goes especially well with kimchi or pajeon (green onion pancake).
Patbingsu (Shaved Ice with Sweetened Red Beans and Other Toppings)
Patbingsu is a life-saver on a hot and steamy summer day.
This enticing dessert was originally made with shaved ice and a topping of red beans, rice cake and milk, though today’s toppings also include ice cream, powdered grains, fruits, jellies, and other ingredients. The essence of patbingsu is the quality of the ice (including the water used to make the ice), followed by the quality and sweetness of the red beans and also the chewiness of the rice cake. Koreans usually mix all the ingredients together before eating it, but this makes the delicate ice flakes melt faster. Therefore, it is better to enjoy it unmixed, one scoop at a time.
예약 전 안내사항
장기 폭염 예상 기간 프로그램 운영 중단: 7.23. ~ 8.11.
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기상특보(폭염, 태풍, 호우, 미세먼지 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다.(발효 즉시 취소처리) ※예약 당일 기상특보를 상시 확인 바랍니다.
해설 진행 시 발생하는 안전사고에 대해서 서울도보해설관광 사무국과 서울문화관광해설사는 책임을 지지 않습니다.
본 코스는 보행약자(거동이 불편한 고령자, 장애인, 유모차 이용자 등)를 위한 코스입니다.
보호자를 동반하지 않을 시 이용이 불가능 합니다.※ 보행약자 1명당 보호자 최소 1인 이상 동반 ※ 전동보장구(전동휠체어, 전동스쿠터 등) 사용자의 경우 보호자 1인당 보행약자 최대 4인까지 동반 가능
희망하시는 날짜 및 코스에 활동가능한 해설사가 없는 경우 예약은 취소될 수 있습니다.
예약확인을 위해 도보관광 사무국(02-6925-0777)에서 확인 연락이 진행됩니다.(최소 5일~한달 전)3회 이상 전화통화가 이뤄지지 않을 시 예약이 취소될 수 있습니다.
해설 진행 시 발생하는 안전사고에 대해서 도보관광 사무국과 서울문화관광해설사는 책임을 지지 않습니다.
미세먼지 비상저감조치 발령 및 기타 기상악화(폭염, 태풍, 폭우 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다. (관광일 전날 기준)
Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
Additional reservations, one or two days before the tour starts, are only allowed for the tour that is already fixed.
In the case of group tour, more than 10people, please contact us by e-mail.
Reservations for the following month are available from the 15th of the current month.
Please refrain from participating in any tour programs should you be experiencing any symptoms, including fever, coughing, congestion, muscle pain, stuffy nose, and/or sore throat.
Reservations for tourists 14 years & under without an accompanying adult or guardian shall be canceled on site.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
The Seoul Guided Walking Tour administration office and tour guide affiliates are not responsible for any accidents that happen to occur during the tour program.
Reservation shall be made at least 1 week before the tour day.
The course is for tourists with mobility problems (Senior, people with disability, stroller user).
You may not use the course without an assistant (or companion) ※ At least one assistant shall accompany a tourist with mobility problem ※ In case of electric assisting device users (electric wheelchair, electric scooter users), one assistant may accompany up to 4 tourists with mobility problem
Reservation may be canceled when a guide is unavailable on the desired date and course.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office (02-6925-0777) will contact you to confirm reservation. (At least 5 days~1 month before tour day) Reservation may be canceled when Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office cannot reach you for more than 3 times.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office and Seoul culture and tourism guide are not liable for the safety accidents during the Seoul Guided Walking Tour.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)