Foodie Friday: My Favourite Korean Local Delights

Kimchi - Nay!
Bibimbap - Nay!
Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean rice cakes) - Nay!

Although I dislike the above food which are indeed authentic Korean dishes but thank goodness for their diverse cuisine, Korea has wide array of food to explore ranging from traditional dishes, Korean BBQ to finger licking good street food. So what were my favourite local delights when I was in Korea two years back? 

1) Korean Spicy Chicken 

#1: Street food in Haeundae Market - Korean spicy chicken, my favourite

I'm so addicted to Korean spicy chicken lately. Probably I love the spicy and sweet sauce coated with chicken. One bite and you want more! 

2) Jjim dalk

#2: Jjim dalk, a hidden gem of Korean cuisine

Jjim dalk is a dish originated long ago in the city of Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Normally, this dish is served on a huge plate of steamed chicken with sweet and sauce based mix along with potatoes and veggies over a bed of glass noodles. This is the second time I had this after my Korean friend introduced to me. Guess what, even my family enjoyed this meal. 

#3: Something different from the norm - Hot Curry Jjim dalk in Bukchon Hanok Village 

I spotted two restaurants in Myeongdong that serve delicious Jjim dalk: 

#4

#5: Bongchu Jjimdak 봉추찜닭
Address: 33-9, Myeong-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul 

3) Yoogane - Marinated Chicken Galbi Fried Rice

#6: There are more than 130 branches in South Korea. Even in Myeongdong alone, I spotted two

More than 130 branches in South Korea, Yoogane is well-known for Galbi, a pan-grilled marinated meat with an unique sweet and spicy sauce as the main dish and served with either Tteokbokki (Korean rice cake), sweet potatoes, fresh vegetables, noodles, rice, cheese, chicken and even together with seafood and stir-fried all together on the pan. Although they are not Halal certified restaurant but I found out plenty of Muslims dine-in here. 

#7: Yoogane is well-known for Galbi, a pan-grilled marinated meat

#8: There even have free flow salad bar serving kimchi, pickles and sliced cabbages and you can take as many as you want

4) Gimbap

Looks like sushi, taste like sushi but somehow there are two significant differences from the authentic Japanese sushi rolls in terms of the rice and the filling. While Japanese sushi rice is seasoned with vinegar, gimbap is cut with sesame oil and sweeter. As for the fillings, most of the time Japanese filled with raw fish such as salmon, tuna whereas Korean filled with the inside layer with cooked or preserved items like canned tuna, kimchi, grilled bulgogi, ham and cheese. Despite the differences, I never missed out to have gimbap whenever I saw selling by the vendor street food. 

5) Budae Jjigae

Budae Jjigae is a thick soup mixed with modern ingredients like instant ramen noodles, sliced sausages, canned ham, sliced of American cheese, garlic, onion, kimchi along with with traditional spicy soup flavoured with red chilli paste. Absolutely suits to my liking as spicy food is what I'm looking forward. Again this is the second time I had when I travelled with my family but we need to reduce the amount of red chilli paste cause my mom unable to bear the level of spiciness. The shop is located in Myeongdong too. 

6) Korean BBQ


Obviously a trip to South Korea is incomplete without having Korean BBQ. The best way to enjoy these meaty goodness is wrapped the marinated pork galbi together with garlic and onion in lettuce leaves. 

7) Garlic Bread by Paris Baguette 


It's hard not to miss out any cafes in Seoul and Busan cause they are like almost everywhere. Among all the cafes, I personally like breads and pastries by Paris Baguette especially their crispy bite of garlic bread.



8) Banana Flavoured Milk


This is one drink that shouldn't miss by anyone when visiting South Korea. Some said it's too sweet but it is one of the best seller drinks in South Korea. Besides the banana flavoured milk, there are even other flavours available such as honeydew and strawberry.

Well, so what's your favourite Korean local delights? By the time writing this post, I'm seriously craving all the food above now and wishing I will be back to South Korea again, for the third time.

[Credit To: Food Republic]