Is there only Korean food in Korea? What if I want something different?

No! Although Korean food in Korea is, well, standard fare, there are plenty of other dining options: American, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Japanese, and more! Many cities, including the smallest ones, will have American, Japanese, and Italian restaurants.

What is Korean food like?

Korean food typically consists of rice or noodles. A standard Korean meal is rice served with many side dishes (banchan) and a soup that are shared among diners. A popular rice-based Korean dish is mixed rice (bibimbap), which is basically a big bowl of rice, assorted vegetables, a fried egg, and meat or canned tuna all mixed together. Noodle-based dishes include noodle soup, Japanese udon, Korean style ramen, or potato starch noodles.

Korean cuisine also includes a variety of soups and stews (jjigae), including tuna, tofu, dumpling, or fermented soybean (much like Japanese miso). Some Korean food is strictly meat-based, too, such as spare ribs or BBQ ribs. There are also many specialty seafood restaurants that prepare only grilled fish, seafood stews, or raw fish.

Is Korean food only spicy? I can’t eat spicy things!

A lot of Korean food is red, hot, and spicy, but there are also non-spicy options. When ordering food, it’s also possible to request the cook serves the spicy sauce on the side (sometimes, they do this automatically when they see you’re a foreigner).

A lot of Korean food has meat. I’m a vegetarian. Will there be anything I can eat?

This may be difficult since, as you noticed, a lot of Korean food has some kind of meat in it. If you’re a vegan, then you will have extremely limited options—even the kimchi has fish paste! If you’re a strict vegetarian, then you’ll still be able to find some dishes that don’t include any meat or seafood, but this may be challenging and limit your options. If you eat seafood, you’ll have a solid variety of choices.

I don’t know how to use chopsticks. Should I bring a fork with me?

Many restaurants, especially Western ones, have forks instead of chopsticks. If you feel more comfortable bringing some forks with you to Korea, then by all means, you’re welcome to do so! (It doesn’t hurt to take a stab at learning how to use chopsticks, though!)

How much does it cost to eat out?

Eating out in Korea is considerably cheaper than eating out in the United States. Restaurants nearby universities are especially cheap as a result of catering to the poor college student crowd. On average, a bowl of mixed rice (bibimbap) or tuna stew (jjigae) costs $3 while an all-you-can-eat tuna sashimi or steak dinner costs $25. A latte at a Korean café costs approximately $2.50 whereas a latte at Starbucks costs roughly the same price as it does in the United States.

Is it cheaper to eat out or stay in and cook in Korea?

That’s a good question. Many foreigners find it’s cheaper to eat out than cook at home because the cost of fresh produce tends to be higher in Korea than it is back home since Korea has limited natural resources and as a result imports many of its food stuffs from other countries. Also, the time if takes to wash, prepare, cook, and then clean up in cooking a meal offsets the convenience of going to eat.

I really enjoy cooking. Can I buy all the things I usually cook with back home, such as spices and herbs?

While spices and herbs can be bought in Korea, they can be difficult to find and the prices are very high. So, if you plan to cook while living in Korea, then it’s a very good idea to pack some spices and herbs with you.

What do Koreans eat for breakfast?

Traditionally, Koreans eat the same type of food at all meals—rice, side dishes, and soup. Now, though, Western style breakfasts are more common and popular. Bakeries are commonplace in all cities, as are coffee shops that have special breakfast sets such as bagels, waffles, or toast. You can also easily buy baked goods, such as breads, muffins, and croissants, as well as dairy products, fruit juice, jam, and coffee at most supermarkets.

Can I still get hamburgers, pizza, and other fast food in Korea?

Absolutely! There are many fast food restaurants—both Korean and Western—all across Korea. Hamburger joints include McDonald’s, Burger King, Kraze Burgers, and Lotteria, just to name a few. Pizza places include Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Mr. Pizza, and many smaller Korean pizza places.

Does Western food cost more than Korean food when eating out?

It depends if you go to a Western restaurant such as TGIF or if you go to a Korean restaurant that serves Western style food, but typically, yes, going out to eat Italian or American food usually will cost a little more than going out to eat Korean food. Even so, though, the price of a pasta entrée or steak in Korea will be comparable if not lower than the price of a similar meal in the United States.

Is it customary to leave a tip for the waiter or waitress in Korea?

No, it is not. Unless otherwise stated on the menu, tipping is not expected at restaurants in Korea. You may leave a little extra as “service” if you would like to, but it is neither expected nor necessary.

What kind of alcohol is available in Korea? Can I still buy wine there?

There is no lack of alcohol in Korea, whether Korean spirits or Western libations. In addition to Korean alcoholic products, imported beers, wines and liquors are easily found at big supermarkets. Wine is especially popular nowadays in Korea, so supermarkets such as E-mart, Lotte, Hyundai, and Shinsaegae all have impressive international wine collections.