Discover South Korea's Culinary Treasures: Top 50 Spicy and Non-Spicy Korean Food List
Here is an educational and interesting list of spicy and non-spicy Korean food list.
There is a saying in Korea that “food is medicine.” There is no wonder that South Korea is a land of remarkable culinary treasures, offering an enticing blend of traditional and modern flavors, that when you take a closer look at the dishes, they seem to be generous with healthy ingredients. Also, with a rich food culture that has evolved over the centuries, the country boasts a wide array of dishes that cater to various palates. Whether you prefer milder, non-spicy flavors or crave the heat of spicy dishes, South Korea's diverse cuisine has something for everyone. To help you embark on your own gastronomic adventure, we have compiled a list of the top 50 must-try Korean delicacies, complete with descriptions, Korean names in Hangeul and Romanized form, classifications, and estimated popularity ratings based on general public opinion. You may be able to make use of the star rating to prioritize your culinary exploration when you visit South Korea for its foods. Because, yeah…. you won’t have enough time to try them all if you only have a few days to visit this country.
Here are 50 spicy and non-spicy Korean food list
Non-Spicy Dishes:
Bibimbap (비빔밥, bibimbap)
A mixed rice dish topped with assorted vegetables, protein, and a fried egg, served with gochujang (Korean red chili paste) on the side (Jeonju, nationwide) (9.5⭐).
Japchae (잡채, japchae)
A Korean noodle dish made with sweet potato noodles, stir-fried with vegetables, and seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil (nationwide) (9⭐).
Gimbap (김밥, gimbap)
A Korean rice roll wrapped in seaweed, filled with various ingredients, such as vegetables, egg, and cooked meat. If you are on a tight budget, this is also one of the most affordable, yet filling Korean dishes that you can also get from convenience stores (nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Tteokbokki (떡볶이, tteokbokki)
Rice cakes cooked in a sweet and savory sauce, usually served with fish cakes and boiled eggs (nationwide) (8⭐).
Samgyetang (삼계탕, samgyetang)
A comforting ginseng chicken soup made with a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, jujubes, and ginseng (nationwide) (9⭐).
Kalguksu (칼국수, kalguksu)
Hand-cut wheat noodles served in a rich, flavorful broth, often with vegetables and protein, such as chicken, seafood, or beef (nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Pajeon (파전, pajeon)
A savory Korean pancake made with various vegetables, seafood, or meat, and a batter of wheat flour, rice flour, and egg (nationwide) (8⭐).
Sundubu Jjigae (순두부찌개, sundubu jjigae)
A soft tofu stew made with a savory, mildly spicy broth, usually served with vegetables and protein, such as seafood, beef, or pork (nationwide) (9⭐).
Mandu (만두, mandu)
Korean dumplings filled with a mixture of meat and vegetables, often served steamed, boiled, or pan-fried (nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Jjajangmyeon (짜장면, jjajangmyeon)
A Korean-Chinese noodle dish topped with a thick black bean sauce, diced pork, and vegetables (nationwide) (9⭐).
Seolleongtang (설렁탕, seolleongtang)
A milky white beef bone soup, simmered for hours to extract the rich flavors, often served with rice and thinly sliced beef (nationwide) (8⭐).
Naengmyeon (냉면, naengmyeon)
Cold buckwheat noodles served in a chilled, tangy broth, often topped with vegetables, pear, and boiled egg (nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Bossam (보쌈, bossam)
Boiled or steamed pork belly, served with lettuce or perilla leaves, kimchi, and a variety of side dishes, often enjoyed as a wrap (nationwide) (9⭐).
Haemul Pajeon (해물파전, haemul pajeon)
A seafood and green onion pancake made with a mixture of wheat flour, rice flour, egg, and various seafood, such as shrimp, squid, and clams (nationwide) (8⭐).
Bulgogi (불고기, bulgogi)
Thinly sliced marinated beef, grilled or stir-fried, often served with lettuce or perilla leaves, and ssamjang (a dipping sauce) (nationwide) (10⭐).
Galbi (갈비, galbi)
Grilled marinated beef or pork ribs, often served with lettuce or perilla leaves, and ssamjang (a dipping sauce) (nationwide) (9.5⭐).
Kongguksu (콩국수, kongguksu)
Cold soybean noodle soup made with thin wheat noodles, served in a chilled, creamy soy milk broth, often topped with cucumber and tomato (nationwide) (7.5⭐).
Spicy Korean Dishes:
Yukgaejang (육개장, yukgaejang)
A spicy, hearty beef soup made with shredded beef, vegetables, and bean sprouts, seasoned with chili oil, soy sauce, and garlic (nationwide) (8⭐).
Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개, kimchi jjigae)
A spicy kimchi stew made with fermented kimchi, tofu, and protein, such as pork, beef, or seafood (nationwide) (9⭐).
Dak Galbi (닭갈비, dak galbi)
Spicy marinated chicken stir-fried with vegetables, rice cakes, and sweet potato, often served with cheese or perilla leaves (Chuncheon, nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Budae Jjigae (부대찌개, budae jjigae)
A spicy Korean stew made with ham, sausage, spam, baked beans, kimchi, and ramen noodles, also known as "Army Base Stew" (nationwide) (8⭐).
Soondae (순대, soondae)
Korean blood sausage made with pig's blood, glutinous rice, and various ingredients, often served with a spicy dipping sauce (nationwide) (7.5⭐).
Jjamppong (짬뽕, jjamppong)
A spicy Korean-Chinese seafood noodle soup made with a chili oil-based broth, various seafood, and vegetables (nationwide) (8⭐).
Ddeokbokki with Gochujang (고추장 떡볶이, gochujang tteokbokki)
A spicier version of the classic tteokbokki, made with a generous amount of gochujang (Korean red chili paste) for extra heat (nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Gochujang Samgyeopsal (고추장 삼겹살, gochujang samgyeopsal)
Pork belly marinated in a spicy gochujang-based sauce, grilled and often served with lettuce or perilla leaves (nationwide) (8⭐).
Maeuntang (매운탕, maeuntang)
A spicy fish stew made with fresh fish, vegetables, and a fiery chili pepper broth (nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Sundaeguk (순대국, sundaeguk)
A spicy soup made with soondae (Korean blood sausage), vegetables, and a savory, spicy broth (nationwide) (7.5⭐).
Dakdoritang (닭도리탕, dakdoritang)
A spicy chicken stew made with chunks of chicken, vegetables, and potatoes, cooked in a spicy, flavorful sauce (nationwide) (8⭐).
Gopchang Jeongol (곱창 전골, gopchang jeongol)
A spicy hot pot made with beef intestines, vegetables, and a fiery chili pepper broth (nationwide) (7.5⭐).
Agujjim (아구찜, agujjim)
A spicy braised dish made with monkfish, bean sprouts, and various vegetables, cooked in a spicy, savory sauce (Masan, nationwide) (9⭐).
Jjambbong (쨈뽕, jjambbong)
A spicy Korean seafood noodle soup made with shrimp, squid, mussels, and clams, cooked in a spicy, flavorful broth (nationwide) (8⭐).
Nakji Bokkeum (낙지볶음, nakji bokkeum)
A spicy stir-fried octopus dish cooked with vegetables and a fiery gochujang-based sauce (nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Gamjatang (감자탕, gamjatang)
A spicy pork bone soup made with tender pork spine, potatoes, vegetables, and a rich, flavorful gochujang-based broth (nationwide) (9⭐).
Jeyuk Bokkeum (제육볶음, jeyuk bokkeum)
Spicy stir-fried pork cooked with vegetables and a savory, spicy gochujang-based sauce (nationwide) (8⭐).
Haejangguk (해장국, haejangguk)
A spicy, hearty soup made with various ingredients, such as ox bone, pork spine, or dried pollack, often enjoyed as a hangover remedy (nationwide) (7.5⭐).
Chueotang (추어탕, chueotang)
A spicy loach soup made with ground loach, vegetables, and a savory, mildly spicy broth (nationwide) (8⭐).
Ojingeo Bokkeum (오징어볶음, ojingeo bokkeum)
Spicy stir-fried squid cooked with vegetables and a savory, spicy gochujang-based sauce (nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Kkanpunggi (깐풍기, kkanpunggi)
A spicy Korean-Chinese fried chicken dish, coated in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce (nationwide) (9⭐).
Tofu Kimchi (두부김치, dubu kimchi)
A spicy dish made with stir-fried kimchi and tofu, often served as a side dish or drinking snack (nationwide) (7.5⭐).
Myeolchi Bokkeum (멸치볶음, myeolchi bokkeum)
Spicy stir-fried anchovies cooked with gochujang and various seasonings, often served as a side dish (nationwide) (7⭐).
Dalkgalbi (닭갈비, dalkgalbi)
Spicy marinated chicken stir-fried with vegetables, rice cakes, and sweet potato, often served with cheese or perilla leaves (Chuncheon, nationwide) (8.5⭐).
Gejang (게장, gejang)
Raw crab marinated in a spicy, flavorful sauce, usually soy sauce or spicy chili paste, and served with rice (nationwide) (9⭐).
Eomuk Tang (어묵탕, eomuk tang)
A spicy fish cake soup made with various fish cakes, vegetables, and a rich, savory gochujang-based broth (nationwide) (7.5⭐).
Dwaeji Bulgogi (돼지불고기, dwaeji bulgogi)
Spicy marinated pork grilled or stir-fried, often served with lettuce or perilla leaves, and ssamjang (a dipping sauce) (nationwide) (8⭐).
Buldak (불닭, buldak)
Fiery, spicy grilled chicken, often referred to as "fire chicken," served with a sweet and spicy sauce (nationwide) (8.5⭐)
Gochu Twigim (고추튀김, gochu twigim)
Spicy stuffed chili peppers coated in batter and deep-fried, usually filled with a mixture of ground meat, tofu, and vegetables (nationwide) (7.5⭐).
Saeujeot (새우젓, saeujeot)
A spicy, fermented shrimp condiment, often used as a dipping sauce or added to various dishes for an extra kick (nationwide) (7⭐).
Jjolmyeon (쫄면, jjolmyeon)
Spicy, chewy cold noodles made from wheat flour and starch, served with vegetables, a hard-boiled egg, and a spicy gochujang-based sauce (nationwide) (8⭐).
Sannakji (산낙지, sannakji)
Spicy raw octopus dish, usually served as a live, wriggling dish, seasoned with sesame oil, salt, and gochugaru (Korean red chili pepper flakes) (nationwide) (9⭐).
Gyeranjjim (계란찜, gyeranjjim)
A spicy version of the traditional Korean steamed egg dish, made with eggs, vegetables, and a spicy gochujang-based sauce (nationwide) (7.5⭐).
South Korea's culinary landscape offers an incredible range of both spicy and non-spicy dishes that cater to various taste preferences. With a rich food culture and a wide variety of unique flavors, South Korea is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable gastronomic adventure. As you explore the different regions of the country, you'll have the opportunity to indulge in a variety of dishes, each offering a taste of Korea's rich culinary heritage. Whether you prefer milder, non-spicy dishes or crave the heat of spicy cuisine, South Korea's mouthwatering offerings will surely leave you craving for more. So go ahead, take a bite, and savor the unique and delectable taste of Korean cuisine!