3 Korean Foods for First-Time Visitors: Samgyetang, Bulgogi, and Bibimbap
Trying Korean food for the first time should be an adventure, not a challenge. If you are curious about Korean cuisine but unsure where to begin, three dishes make excellent introductions: samgyetang, bulgogi, and bibimbap.
They offer three different experiences of Korean food: a comforting chicken soup, tender marinated beef, and a colorful rice bowl filled with vegetables and other toppings.
Whether you are visiting Seoul for a few days or staying longer, here is what to expect, how to enjoy each dish, and what to know before ordering.
1. Samgyetang (삼계탕): Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup
Best for: Travelers who enjoy chicken soup, tender meat, and warm, comforting meals.
Samgyetang is a traditional Korean soup made by simmering a young whole chicken with ingredients such as glutinous rice, garlic, jujubes, and ginseng. The chicken becomes tender as it cooks, while the broth develops a savory flavor with a distinctive herbal note.
Think of it as a Korean take on a nourishing chicken soup, with ingredients that give it a character of its own.
What does it taste like?
The broth is generally savory rather than spicy. Ginseng gives it a recognizable herbal aroma, which may be unfamiliar to some visitors. The chicken is soft and tender, and the rice cooked inside absorbs the broth's flavor.
If you enjoy chicken soup, this can be a comforting introduction to traditional Korean cuisine.
How do you eat it?
Samgyetang is usually served hot in a bowl or earthenware pot.
- Start by tasting a little broth.
- Enjoy the tender chicken with a spoonful of rice.
- Try the glutinous rice cooked inside the chicken.
- Let the dish cool before eating, as it may arrive very hot.
Some restaurants provide salt or other seasonings separately, allowing you to adjust the flavor to your preference.
Good to know: Samgyetang is not usually a spicy dish, but the ginseng and other herbal ingredients have a distinctive taste. If you prefer familiar flavors, start with a small taste of the broth before committing to the whole meal.
2. Bulgogi (불고기): Sweet and Savory Korean Beef
Best for: Travelers who enjoy grilled beef, barbecue, or gently sweet and savory flavors.
Bulgogi is one of the easiest Korean dishes to recommend to someone who is new to Korean food. It is typically made with thinly sliced beef marinated in a mixture based on soy sauce, often with ingredients such as garlic, sugar, sesame, and pear.
The beef is then grilled or cooked in a pan, depending on the restaurant and style.
What does it taste like?
Bulgogi is usually savory, tender, and slightly sweet. Unlike many dishes made with Korean chili paste, the classic soy-based marinade is generally not spicy.
The thin slices of beef absorb the seasoning well, making the dish flavorful without necessarily being intense.
How do you eat it?
Bulgogi is often served with rice and side dishes. Some versions arrive sizzling on a hot plate, while others are cooked with vegetables and broth.
- Try a piece of beef on its own first.
- Eat it with steamed rice to balance the flavor.
- If lettuce leaves are provided, you can wrap the beef with rice and other accompaniments.
- Ask about the ingredients if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Good to know: Bulgogi usually contains beef and commonly includes soy-based seasoning. Some recipes also contain sesame or other allergens. If you do not eat beef, ask the restaurant whether it offers an alternative.
3. Bibimbap (비빔밥): A Colorful Korean Rice Bowl
Best for: Travelers who enjoy rice, vegetables, and the freedom to adjust the intensity of a dish.
Bibimbap literally refers to mixed rice. It is served as a bowl of rice topped with a variety of ingredients, commonly including seasoned vegetables, egg, and sometimes beef. A sauce, often gochujang—a Korean red chili paste—is added according to the style of the dish.
The ingredients are mixed together before eating, bringing the different textures and flavors into one bowl.
What does it taste like?
Bibimbap combines the mild flavor of rice with vegetables, savory seasonings, and a rich sauce. Depending on the ingredients and how much gochujang you use, it can be mild or quite spicy.
This makes it a flexible option for travelers who want to explore Korean flavors at their own pace.
How do you eat it?
- Look at the ingredients before mixing everything together.
- Add a little sauce at first, especially if you are sensitive to spicy food.
- Mix the rice and toppings thoroughly.
- Taste the mixture and add more sauce if you want a stronger flavor.
Some restaurants serve bibimbap in a hot stone bowl called a dolsot. This version can develop a crisp layer of rice at the bottom and stays hot for longer, so take care when eating.
Good to know: If you prefer mild food, ask for the gochujang on the side. Not every restaurant prepares it this way, but asking gives you a chance to control the amount of chili sauce. Bibimbap is not automatically vegetarian: check for meat, egg, and the ingredients in the sauce.
Which Dish Should You Try First?
Each dish offers a different introduction to Korean cuisine.
| If you prefer… | Try… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken soup and tender meat | Samgyetang | Warm, savory broth and soft chicken |
| Beef with a sweet-savory flavor | Bulgogi | Familiar ingredients and usually no chili heat |
| Rice and a variety of vegetables | Bibimbap | Different textures, with sauce you may be able to adjust |
There is no single best choice. Start with the dish that sounds most appealing to you.
A Few Useful Tips Before Ordering
Tell the restaurant if you cannot eat certain ingredients. These dishes can contain common allergens, including soy, sesame, egg, and other ingredients depending on the recipe.
Do not assume every Korean dish is spicy. Bulgogi and classic samgyetang are generally not chili-hot, while bibimbap's heat depends partly on its sauce and preparation.
Ask for sauce separately when possible. This is particularly helpful if you want to try bibimbap without making it too spicy.
Check the menu description. Recipes vary between restaurants, so the name of a dish does not guarantee that every ingredient or preparation method will be identical.
Discover Korean Food at Your Own Pace
Korean cuisine has much more to offer than these three dishes, but samgyetang, bulgogi, and bibimbap provide a welcoming place to start.
Try the gentle warmth of chicken soup, the sweet-savory flavor of marinated beef, or the colorful combination of rice and vegetables. Each dish reveals a different side of Korean food culture.
And if you are exploring Seoul, you do not have to know everything about Korean food before you sit down at a restaurant. A little curiosity—and a few useful questions—is enough to begin.
VISIT HONGDAE — Discover Korea, one meal at a time.
