🇰🇷 South Korea

Cuisine of South Korea

South Korean cuisine is a vibrant and communal culinary tradition known for its bold, balanced flavors combining sweet, salty, spicy, and savory elements. It emphasizes rice, vegetables, seafood, and meats, with a strong cultural focus on fermentation and shared dining experiences featuring numerous side dishes called banchan.

Signature Ingredients
Gochujang (fermented red chili paste)Doenjang (fermented soybean paste)Kimchi (fermented vegetables)Sesame oilGarlic
Local Specialties
Napa cabbage
used for kimchi
Gochugaru
Korean chili flakes
Soybeans
for doenjang and tofu
Short-grain rice
Perilla leaves
herb used in various dishes

List of Michelin Star restaurants in South Korea

How many Michelin Star restaurants in South Korea in 2025?