Trend in Korea

Sit down for a meal with Koreans and you may hear someone say 잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgesseumnida) before taking the first bite. “Jal meokgesseumnida” literally means “I will eat well,” but in everyday Korean it is a polite way to express appreciation before a meal. For English speakers, the closest natural meaning is: “Thank you for the meal. I’ll enjoy it.” Koreans often say it when someone has prepared, provided or paid for the food. After eating, you may hear another expression: 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeosseumnida) This literally means “I ate well,” but more naturally means: “Thank you. I enjoyed the meal.” These two expressions are a small but meaningful part of Korean dining culture. What Does “Jal Meokgesseumnida” Mean? 잘 먹겠습니다 — Jal meokgesseumnida Literally: “I will eat well.” In real conversation, however, the meaning is closer to: “Thank you for the meal. I’ll enjoy it.” It is commonly said before eating when another person has: prepared the food bought the meal invited you to eat ...

You don’t need to speak Korean to enjoy great food in Korea. Many restaurants in Seoul and other tourist areas have English menus, photos or ordering kiosks. But knowing just a few Korean phrases can make eating out much easier — especially at small local restaurants. Here are the phrases travelers will actually use. 1. “This, please.” 이거 주세요 Igeo juseyo This may be the most useful restaurant phrase in Korea. It simply means “This, please.” Point to a dish on the menu and say “Igeo juseyo.” Even if you know no other Korean, this can get you surprisingly far. To order two: 이거 두 개 주세요 Igeo du gae juseyo        “Two of these, please.” 2. “Please make it not spicy.” Korean food has a reputation for being spicy, but many dishes are mild. If you are worried about spice, try: 안 맵게 해주세요 An maepge haejuseyo   “Please make it less spicy, if possible.” However, some dishes are prepared with a sauce or broth that cannot easily be changed. You can also ask:...

Walking into a Korean restaurant for the first time can feel confusing. Do you wait to be seated? Why are small dishes served for free? Do you pay at the table? And should you tip? Fortunately, eating at a Korean restaurant is easier than it looks. Here are the basics every traveler should know. 1. Entering and Getting a Table When you enter, a staff member may greet you and show you to a table. At smaller or casual restaurants, you may simply be directed to an available seat. Some restaurants use touchscreen kiosks or tablets for ordering, and English options are increasingly common in tourist areas. If you are unsure, simply wait near the entrance until a staff member helps you. 2. How to Order Many Korean dishes are ordered by the person, but some meals are designed for sharing. Korean BBQ, hot pot and large stews are common examples. Also check whether the menu requires a minimum order , particularly at BBQ restaurants. Some places may require two portions of meat or a mi...

If you visit Korea around Chuseok, you will see small, colorful rice cakes in markets, supermarkets and traditional rice-cake shops. They are called songpyeon (송편) — one of the foods most closely associated with Chuseok, Korea’s major autumn holiday. But why do Koreans eat songpyeon during Chuseok, and why are these rice cakes shaped like half-moons? What Is Songpyeon? Songpyeon is a traditional Korean rice cake made from rice dough with fillings such as sesame seeds, beans, red beans or chestnuts . The filled dough is shaped into small pieces and traditionally steamed over a bed of pine needles . The pine needles give songpyeon its characteristic fragrance. In fact, the Korean word “song” (송) refers to pine, reflecting this traditional cooking method. Why Is Songpyeon Eaten During Chuseok? Chuseok is closely connected with Korea’s autumn harvest. Traditionally, families prepared songpyeon using newly harvested grain as an expression of gratitude for an abundant harvest . Ma...

If you visit a Korean restaurant for the first time, you may be surprised before your main dish even arrives. Small plates begin appearing on the table—kimchi, seasoned vegetables, pickles, fish cakes, and sometimes several more. These small dishes are called banchan (반찬) , and they are an essential part of Korean food culture. But why are there so many? Are they free? Can you ask for more? Here is what every first-time visitor should know about Korean banchan. What Is Banchan? Banchan refers to the small side dishes served alongside rice and the main meal. Rather than eating one large dish by itself, a traditional Korean meal is often built around rice, soup or stew, a main dish, and several banchan . The number and type of side dishes vary greatly. A simple neighborhood restaurant may serve three or four, while a traditional Korean set meal can fill the table with many small plates. Why Are There So Many Side Dishes? Korean meals traditionally emphasize variety and balance . Rice is...

Walk into a convenience store in Korea and you may be surprised by how much food you can find. Korean convenience stores are not just places to buy drinks and snacks. They can be a quick breakfast stop, an affordable lunch spot, a late-night restaurant, and even a small café . For foreign visitors, stores such as CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and emart24 offer one of the easiest ways to experience everyday Korean food. So what should you try? 1. Samgak Kimbap — The Classic Quick Meal Samgak kimbap (삼각김밥) is a triangular rice snack wrapped in seaweed. Inside, you may find tuna mayonnaise, kimchi, bulgogi, spicy pork, or other fillings. It is inexpensive, easy to carry, and popular with students and office workers who need something quick. One fun part for first-time visitors is learning how to unwrap the package without tearing the seaweed. Follow the numbered instructions on the wrapper and the seaweed stays crisp until you eat it. 2. Dosirak — A Complete Korean Lunch Box If you want a more com...

When people think of Korean food , Korean barbecue, bibimbap, kimchi, and tteokbokki often come to mind. But what do Koreans actually eat for lunch on an ordinary weekday? If you're visiting Korea for the first time, our food guide for first-time visitors to Seoul is a good place to start. For office workers and students, lunch is usually about something quick, satisfying, affordable, and nearby . From kimchi stew to kimbap and convenience-store meals, everyday lunch offers an interesting look at real Korean life. Korean Lunch Culture Around noon, office districts such as Gangnam, Yeouido, and Gwanghwamun suddenly become crowded. Groups of workers leave their offices, eat together, and often stop for coffee before returning to work. A typical routine is simple: Lunch → Coffee → Back to Work Restaurants can be particularly busy between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., so travelers who want a quieter experience may prefer eating slightly earlier or later. 1. Kimchi Jjigae Kimchi jjigae is...

If you visit a Korean restaurant for the first time, one thing may surprise you: not everything on the table belongs to one person. Many Korean meals are built around shared dishes placed in the center of the table. There may be a pot of stew, a plate of grilled meat, several side dishes and a bowl of kimchi — all meant to be enjoyed together. This does not mean every Korean meal is communal. Rice, soup and some main dishes are often served individually. But sharing food is a common and important part of many Korean dining experiences. Understanding that makes Korean meals much easier to enjoy. Korean Meals Often Mix Individual and Shared Dishes A typical Korean table may include both personal and communal food. You may have: your own bowl of rice your own bowl of soup your own spoon and chopsticks while also sharing: banchan grilled meat stew pancakes stir-fried dishes large plates of noodles or seafood This combination can feel unusual if you come from a dining cu...