The largest variety of Korean cuisine can be found in the capital, Seoul. This is a city where culinary traditions, innovative fusion recipes, street food, high-end Korean gourmet cuisine, and convenient fast food all converge.
The heart of Korea can be found on its streets, and the food will capture your heart and taste buds as well. If you only have a limited time in Seoul, we recommend you visit Gwangjang Market, near Jongno 5-ga subway station. Other popular street food haunts include Myeongdong Street, nicknamed "the Food Alley"; Namdaemun Market; and the night markets at Dongdaemun and Eulji-ro in Jung-gu (Bamdokkaebi). Some street foods you should definitely try include soondae, blood sausage made with mung bean noodles and sticky rice; bindaetteok, mung bean pancakes; gimbap, similar to Japanese sushi, although Koreans insist gimbap was created independent of its better-known doppelgänger; tteokbokki, rice rolls in chili sauce; and eomukguk, fish cake soup.
Fast food is popular in Seoul, ranging from Korean fried chicken (huraideu-chikin), which can be found in abundance along Myeongdong Street, to homegrown fast food outlets such as the burger chain Lotteria, to holes-in-the-wall once frequented by taxi drivers and are now considered Korean cuisine's best-kept secrets. One of the most popular "taxi restaurants" in Seoul is Song Gane Kamjatang and Bossam Restaurant, located at 245 Donggyo-ro, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu. It specializes in song ga-ne gamta-jang (potato and pork backbone stew), and has been a Seoul favorite for decades. Much like in Japan, instant noodles and other easily-prepared and/or processed foods are consumed by millions, with Nongshim and Lotte being the most popular snack brands.
High-end Korean restaurants are a new innovation, a testament to how much the Korean restaurant industry has blossomed since the first modern-day restaurant was opened in 1907. In 2009, Jungsik (11 Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu) was opened, and since then it has earned two Michelin stars and has become the most popular Korean haute cuisine restaurant in the capital, with reservations booked out weeks in advance. An 8-course tasting menu with wine pairing costs roughly 350,000 won (about $300). (If you can't wait for a Korean vacation to try the food at Jungsik, there is also a branch located in Tribeca, Manhattan, New York City.)
Must-Savor Specialties: Soondae, bindaetteok, gimbap, tteokbokki, eomukguk, Korean fried chicken, burgers at Lotteria, Nongshim instant noodles, song ga-ne gamta-jang
