Korean food has taken the world by storm, thanks to K-dramas and K-pop.

I introduce to you my all-time favorite Korean meals.

1. 떡볶이(Teokbokki)

If you’re a K-drama fan, chances are you’ve seen the classic scene: high school girls running to a teokbokki shop after school. But don’t be fooled, this spicy rice cake dish is loved by every generation in Korea.

Teokbokki comes in many forms; original, rose, mala, cheese, and more. While the classic spicy version is unbeatable, my personal favorite is rose teokbokki, which blends tomato and cream with just a hint of spice. It’s rich, slightly sweet, and perfectly addictive.

No teokbokki experience is complete without sides.

Popular add-ons include: Kimbap (mini rice rolls), Fries, Sundae (Korean blood sausage), Boiled egg (찜) for extra protein

My personal go-to brand is 청년다방 (Cheongnyeon Dabang); their rose teokbokki is always a winner.

2. 낙곱새(Nak gop sae)

This fiery hotpot combines octopus, beef tripe, and shrimp. 

A spicy, flavorful stew that pairs perfectly with rice. It’s hearty, satisfying, and exactly what you crave on after a demanding stressful day.

3. 삼겹살(Samgyeopsal)/ K- Barbecue

No Korean food list is complete without samgyeopsal, thick slices of pork belly grilled right at your table. The fun part is making your own wraps with lettuce, garlic, kimchi, and ssamjang (spicy paste).

Now, if you thought of soju while reading this, you’re officially a real Korean.

4. 닭갈비(Dak Galbi)

If samgyeopsal is the king of pork, then dak galbi is the ultimate chicken dish. Originating from Chuncheon, this stir-fried specialty is made with marinated chicken, rice cakes, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and gochujang (red chili paste), all sizzling together on a big round pan in the middle of the table.

It’s spicy, saucy, and absolutely addictive. The best part? When you’re almost done, you add rice to the leftover sauce on the pan and stir-fry it into golden, crispy fried rice. Trust me you do not want to miss this finale.

5. 냉면 (Naengmyeon)

After all the barbecue and spicy stews, nothing hits the spot quite like a cold bowl of naengmyeon. This dish features chewy buckwheat noodles served in an icy broth (mul-naengmyeon) or mixed with a spicy sauce (bibim-naengmyeon).

It’s tangy, refreshing, and often topped with slices of beef, cucumber, pickled radish, and a hard-boiled egg.

Obviously, there are countless more dishes to explore in Korea. But these are my personal favorites.

If you’re new to Korean food, I’d say start with teokbokki. It’s simple, iconic, and gives you a real taste of Korean culture. From there, you can develop your own K-food adventure.