You touch down in Seoul and your first thought is not about palaces or shopping. It is about food. It should be. Korean food is reason enough to book the flight.
This guide is for Singaporeans heading to Korea in 2026. We cover what to eat, where to find it, how much it costs in SGD, and what to skip. No fluff. Just real talk about real food.
Korean BBQ: More Than Just Grilling Meat
Everyone knows Korean BBQ. But the version you get in Singapore is not quite the same.
In Korea, you get bulgogi (thin marinated beef) and samgyeopsal (pork belly) grilled at your table by you or for you. The banchan (side dishes) keep coming. Soft tofu stew, pickled radish, fermented cabbage. You eat until you cannot move.
A decent Korean BBQ restaurant in Myeongdong or Hongdae costs around S to S per person for a decent spread. Go to a neighbourhood spot in Insadong and you pay closer to S to S per person. Worth it every single time.
Tip: Avoid the tourist trap BBQ places along Insadong’s main street. Walk two blocks inward. The locals know.
Bibimbap: The Bowl That Has Everything
Bibimbap is a warm rice bowl with vegetables, meat, a fried egg, and gochujang (chilli paste) on top. You mix it all together before eating. It sounds simple. It is deceptively complex.
The best bibimbap comes from Jeonju, but Seoul does it well too. Head to Gyeongju or Insadong for versions that justify the hype. A bowl costs between S and S depending on where you go.
Order the dolsot bibimbap if you want the crispy rice at the bottom. It takes longer but it is worth the wait.
Korean Fried Chicken: Crispy, Saucy, Addictive
Korean fried chicken is not like fried chicken anywhere else. It is double-fried until the skin shatters, then tossed in a sauce that ranges from mild to burning your throat.
The brand to know is Kyochon. They have branches across Seoul. A full order of chicken with beer (chimaek) costs around S to S. There are cheaper local spots where a whole chicken costs under S.
Chicken trends in 2026 include cheese fondue dipping and honey butter flavors. Both work.
Street Food in Myeongdong: What Works and What Does Not
Myeongdong is packed with street food stalls. Some are tourist traps. Some are genuinely good.
Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) from a Myeongdong stall costs around S to S. It is decent. The better version comes from street vendors near Hongdae university area, where students actually eat. Prices are lower too.
Hotteok (sweet Korean pancakes with brown sugar filling) are worth seeking out in winter. Summer is harder to find them. A piece costs S to S.
Skewered seafood costs S to S depending on what you pick. The crab skewers are juicy. The octopus skewers are chewy in a good way.
Where to Eat in Seoul for Every Budget
If you want to eat well without overspending, focus on these neighbourhoods.
Gangnam has higher prices but excellent Korean fine dining options. Myeongdong has decent food at tourist prices. Hongdae offers cheap eats near universities. Insadong has traditional options that are worth the walk away from the main street.
Eateries near Gyeongbokgung Palace tend to be aimed at tourists. Walk toward the side streets instead.
What to Drink With Korean Food
Soju goes with almost everything. A bottle costs around S to S in convenience stores. In restaurants, you pay S to S per bottle. The trick is to drink it with food, not on an empty stomach.
Makgeolli (Korean rice wine) is sweeter and lower in alcohol. It pairs well with pajeori (green onion pancakes) and fried chicken.
For non-drinkers, shikhae (sweet rice drink) and sikhye (sweet rice punch) are available at traditional markets.
Practical Tips for Eating in Korea
Most restaurants in Seoul open by 11am and close by 10pm. Some neighbourhood spots close earlier. Late-night food options exist in Hongdae and Gangnam but require walking a bit.
English menus are common in tourist areas but disappear in local neighbourhoods. Pointing and smiling works. Apps like Papago help with translation.
Tipping is not expected. It is not part of Korean culture. Do not leave extra money unless you want to confuse the staff.
Vegetarians will struggle. Most Korean food involves meat or fish broth. If you do not eat meat, tell the restaurant clearly and repeatedly. Even then, be prepared for surprises.
Final Word on Korean Food
Korean food is one of the most underrated food cultures in Asia. Singaporeans mostly know Korean BBQ and bibimbap. There is so much more waiting.
Go to a local market. Order something you cannot pronounce. Sit down at a table where no one speaks English. Eat what arrives. That is how you learn what Korean food actually is.
Your trip to Korea is not complete without at least one meal that makes you regret not staying longer.
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