Korea’s street food scene is renowned for its bold flavors and variety, promising a unique culinary adventure for any food lover. From bustling markets to food stalls, the experience is rich with cultural significance and mouth-watering dishes.
Garak Market: A Culinary Haven
In the shadow of Seoul’s space-age skyscrapers is the Gwangjang Market, a sprawling mini-city of food stalls that hasn’t changed much since the 1950s. Here, visitors find some of the best street food.
Discovering Kimchi
Numerous varieties of kimchi, a dish of spicy fermented cabbage, are widely available in the street stalls and throughout Korea.
Korean Barbecue Experience
Tony befriends a group of businessmen for some Korean barbecue at Mapo Jeong Daepo. Most restaurants also offer a variety of banchan, or free small dishes, with the meal.
Understanding Budae-Jjigae
Choi and Tony livestream how to make budae-jjigae, a soup that includes Spam, sausages, baked beans, chili paste and kimchi. The “army stew” became popular during the Korean War when food supplies were low.
The Mok-Bang Craze
Tony joins in on the Korean Internet craze, mok-bang, where video bloggers live-stream themselves eating while chatting with their online followers. Choi Ji-hwan is one of many mok-bang celebrities.
Conclusion
Korea’s street food offers an unparalleled experience that beautifully combines tradition and innovation. Whether you’re tasting fermented kimchi, indulging in savory sujebi, or enjoying the warmth of a steaming bowl of budae-jjigae, the culinary offerings are sure to captivate and satisfy any food enthusiast.
