Discover Korea’s Definitive Flavors, Curated by the Korea Tourism Organization!
A beautifully set table, prepared with heart and wholesome ingredients. A hearty Korean meal, crafted with generational touch and hospitality, never fails to bring comfort to the soul. Perhaps the greatest strength of Korean culinary culture lies in the rich diversity of flavors born from local heritage.
These authentic tastes seamlessly weave together seasonal ingredients sourced straight from the land with the lives and spirits of the local people. For travelers seeking these irreplaceable, deep-rooted flavors, we proudly introduce K-Local Food Trip 33, meticulously curated by the Korea Tourism Organization.
K-Local Food Trip 33
K-Local Food Trip 33 is a definitive collection of Korea’s signature culinary experiences, meticulously curated by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). To bring this project to life, a panel of esteemed experts—including renowned chefs, Korean cuisine specialists, and food industry marketers—embarked on a journey to discover iconic regional ingredients and dishes across every corner of the country. This deeply enriching content goes beyond simple food recommendations, weaving in the fascinating history and heritage behind each dish.
Immerse yourself in K-Local Food Trip 33 to experience authentic regional dishes, seasonal ingredients, and traditional liquors, and unlock a deeper understanding of Korea’s diverse regions through the art of gastronomy!
Beating the Summer Heat: Revitalizing “Boyang” Dishes
In Korea, it is a time-honored tradition to eat boyang-sik—hearty, restorative wellness dishes—to replenish energy and stamina during the scorching summer months. Notably, K-Local Food Trip 33 features pike eel and abalone, two of the nation’s most celebrated summer stamina ingredients. Here are the ultimate regional hotspots where you can savor these ingredients that perfectly balance flavor and vitality.
1. Yeosu’s Pike Eel
There is one particular ingredient that stands unmatched when it comes to restoring your vitality: pike eel, a high-protein delicacy from the summer sea. Reaching its peak from June to September when the eels are most active, this delicacy is the pride of the coastal city of Yeosu.
From pike eel shabu-shabu, where the tender fish is lightly blanched in a hot, savory broth, to pike eel hoe (raw sliced eel), prized for its chewy texture and rich, nutty flavor, you can enjoy this quintessential summer wellness food in various styles. For the ultimate culinary pairing, enjoy it with Yeosu’s famous gat-kimchi (mustard leaf kimchi)—the harmony of flavors is simply spectacular.
<Yeosu Hamo Shabu-shabu: Mindeolle-jib>
- Address: Room 202, 2F, 72 Jinduhaean-gil, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do
- Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Midnight)
Mindeolle-jib is a premier pike eel specialty restaurant adored by both Yeosu locals and international travelers alike. The pike eel, also referred to by its Japanese name Hamo, is served both as clean, deeply flavorful Hamo Shabu-shabu and exceptionally fresh Hamo Hoe. Mindeolle-jib is the ultimate destination for a summer wellness feast.
2. Wando’s Abalone
Abalone has long been cherished in Korea as a premium seafood delicacy. Renowned for its distinct coastal aroma, tender yet pleasantly chewy texture, and dense nutritional profile, it stands as one of the most celebrated stamina foods in the country.
Wando, an archipelago county in Jeollanam-do, is the primary source of Korean abalone, offering visitors a chance to taste them at their absolute freshest and most fragrant. Abalone is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be savored in myriad ways, including jeonbok-juk (rich abalone porridge), jeonbok-hoe (crisp, raw sliced abalone), and various steamed or grilled dishes.
<Wando’s Hotspot: Moraetteul>
- Address: 74 Myeongsasimpli-gil, Sinji-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do
- Hours: Mon, Wed–Sun 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
- Break Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Last Order: 2:10 PM, 6:40 PM
Moraetteul serves an elegant, clean-cut Korean table crafted entirely from Wando’s finest indigenous ingredients. Officially designated by Wando County as the “No. 1 Ocean Healing Dining Establishment,” this restaurant showcases the true essence of Korean cuisine by elevating the natural flavors of its ingredients.
Their signature menu, the Ocean Healing Table, is a lavish spread featuring fresh local produce, succulent abalone, premium tteok-galbi (short rib patties) infused with seaweeds, grilled seasonal fish, and a steaming hot-stone pot rice loaded with the treasures of the sea. It is a deeply restorative dining experience that you shouldn’t miss during your coastal trip.
Discover Korea Through Its Flavors: VISITKOREA Food Special Pavilion
The Food Special Pavilion on VISITKOREA, the official travel information website operated by the Korea Tourism Organization, offers a wide range of engaging content designed to introduce international visitors to the true taste and rich culinary culture of Korea, including K-Local Food Trip 33.
Click the link below to explore an exclusive feature showcasing Korea’s premier fine dining destinations curated by CATCHTABLE. Dive into Korea’s dynamic fine dining scene—which has recently taken the global spotlight following the hit Netflix show Culinary Class Wars—and discover the extraordinary restaurants redefining contemporary Korean cuisine.
Available Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), German, French, Spanish, Russian