Mixed rice
비빔밥 Bibimbap
Rice topped with seasoned vegetables, meat and an egg, mixed with chili paste at the table.
Spice: Mild
Korean Food Dishes
Korean dishes, explained in plain English
What each dish is, how spicy it is, what's in it, and how to eat it — for anyone visiting Korea or ordering Korean food.
ricemeatchili pasteseasoned vegetablesan egg- A spice level on every dish
- Pork, beef, seafood and vegetarian notes
- The Korean name as it appears on menus
Start with these six
Marinated grilled meat
불고기 Bulgogi
Thin slices of beef in a sweet soy marinade, grilled or pan-cooked.
Spice: Not spicy
Spicy rice cakes
떡볶이 Tteokbokki
Chewy rice cakes simmered in a sweet, spicy red sauce.
Spice: Medium
Stew
김치찌개 Kimchijjigae
A bubbling stew of aged kimchi, pork and tofu, eaten with rice.
Spice: Medium
Korean chicken
치킨 Korean Fried Chicken
Crispy fried chicken, served plain or glazed in a sweet chili sauce.
Spice: Not spicy
Korean BBQ
삼겹살 Samgyeopsal
Thick slices of pork belly you grill at the table and wrap in lettuce.
Spice: Not spicy
New dishes
The dish pages we added most recently, newest first.
Seaweed rice rolls
꼬마김밥 Kkomagimbap
Small, finger-size gimbap rolls with a few simple fillings, served whole and eaten in one or two bites.
Spice: Not spicy
Rice bowls
제육덮밥 Jeyukdeopbap
Spicy stir-fried pork spooned over a bowl of rice, served as a single portion for one person.
Spice: Medium
Porridge
호박죽 Hobakjuk
A smooth, sweet porridge of pumpkin and glutinous rice, eaten warm as a mild meal or snack.
Spice: Not spicy
Rice
쌈밥 Ssambap
A meal of rice and fresh or steamed leaves, eaten by wrapping rice and soybean paste in each leaf.
Spice: Mild
Mixed rice
돌솥비빔밥 Dolsotbibimbap
Rice with vegetables, meat and egg served sizzling in a heated stone pot, where the bottom rice turns crisp.
Spice: Mild
Sweets
약과 Yakgwa
A fried cookie of wheat flour, honey and sesame oil, soaked in syrup and eaten as a sweet snack.
Spice: Not spicy
Browse by type
Rice, noodles & dumplings
Rice bowls, porridge, noodles and dumplings: the one-person meals.
Soups & stews
Guk, tang, jjigae and gukbap, served bubbling hot with rice.
Grilled & stir-fried
Korean barbecue you grill at the table, plus spicy stir-fries.
Side dishes (banchan)
The small plates that come free with a meal, from kimchi to seasoned vegetables.
Find what you can eat
Not spicy
Dishes with no chili heat at all.
Vegetarian option
Dishes that are meat-free or commonly served without meat.
Avoiding pork or seafood
Where meat and seafood hide, and what to say when you order.
Every dish page answers the same five questions
What is it?
One plain sentence, then the main ingredients.
How spicy is it?
Not spicy, Mild, Medium or Hot.
What's in it?
Pork, beef, seafood and vegetarian notes.
How do I eat it?
How it's served and what to do at the table.
How do I order it?
The Korean name on the menu and how it's usually sold.
Common questions
Is Korean food always spicy?
No. Many dishes have no chili heat at all, such as bulgogi, samgyetang and japchae. Every dish page shows a spice level from Not spicy to Hot.
Can vegetarians eat Korean food?
Yes, with care. Many soups use anchovy or beef stock, and most kimchi contains fish sauce or salted seafood. Our dietary guide explains what to check and what to say.
How do I find a dish on a Korean menu?
Each dish page shows the Korean name in Hangul and the romanized spelling, so you can match it to the menu.
Do you recommend restaurants?
Not yet. Most dishes on this site are everyday food served at ordinary Korean restaurants.
New to Korean food?
Start with dishes that aren't spicy, and learn how a Korean meal works.