Ancient discoveries meet modern marvels on a South Korea tour with Globus. From Seoul to Gyeongju, uncover over 5,000 years of history – including a dynamic food culture. With street food and temple cuisine, it’s about more than just satisfying your appetite. South Korean food culture embraces culture, community, and celebration; while a tour connects the highlights and a range of flavours, dishes, and culinary traditions.
Start with the street food
Markets are a wonderful way to experience the social side of eating. Here, you’ll find locals coming together to eat and connect over street food like savoury pancakes or chewy tteokbokki (rice cakes). Markets are a full-on sensory experience with colourful stalls enticing you alongside the smell of sizzling meat and bubbling broths.
Discover the ritual of Korean barbecue
Another communal way of dining is a Korean barbecue feast. A shared grill is built into the table where everyone can have a go at cooking juicy cuts of marinated meat. This is perfectly complemented with an assortment of banchan (side dishes) of pickles, kimchi, tofu, and vegetables.
Taste tradition in a bowl of bibimbap
Bibimbap is one of Korea’s most iconic dishes. Each ingredient is arranged with purpose, creating a colourful bowl of rice, vegetables, meat, a fried egg and gochujang (fermented chilli paste). Bibimbap translates to ‘mixed rice’, so do just that for a flavour explosion with every bite. The ingredients can vary from region to region, meaning you can eat the same dish several times over and never get sick of it!
Explore the flavours of temple cuisine
For one of the most beautiful meals you may ever set eyes on, temple cuisine is a must. Buddhist tradition dictates a strong emphasis on seasonal, plant-based ingredients that are mindfully prepared. Each portion is thoughtfully arranged, letting the ingredients’ natural flavours shine through. Items such as vegetables, tofu, and fermented dishes come together to show the connection between food, nature, and spirituality.
Don’t forget the seafood
The geography of South Korea also influences what food is served. With a coastline surrounding most of the country, seafood is a key food source. Busan is particularly famous for their seafood culture. Its markets proudly show the relationship between coastal communities and the ocean, with fish, shellfish and other seafood stocked in abundance.
Leave room for something sweet
South Korea’s cafe culture has become increasingly popular of late. Starting with traditional tea houses, modern cafes have now burst onto the scene to offer another place to pause and enjoy a drink. Desserts are also a favourite amongst locals. Hot specialties include hotteok (sweet, chewy rice cakes) or to cool off, try a cup of bingsu (shaved ice topped with fruit, red bean or condensed milk).
All this and more awaits on a Globus South Korea tour! Not only will you seamlessly move between cities, but you will also discover local specialties, markets, and dining traditions thanks to your local guides.
