Introduction
Korean cuisine has become increasingly popular over the years, thanks to its unique flavor profile and health benefits. The flavors and ingredients used in Korean cuisine are bold and complex, yet familiar enough that people from all over the world can enjoy them. In fact, Korean cuisine has become so popular that many travelers choose the Busan region in South Korea as an ideal place to sample it. From the fiery delicacies of Jeonju, to the classic dishes in Busan, travelers will be sure to find something that their tastebuds crave.
Busan
Busan has long been a region of choice for food lovers, with a variety of flavors being available. With its rich fishing history, a variety of seafood dishes are commonplace in the local cuisine. Busan’s love of kimchi is also very famous, and one can easily find it served with almost any meal. Along with its coastal roots, Busan also takes influences from the Japanese cuisine it borders, resulting in unique and interesting fusion dishes.
Traditional dishes you’ll find in Busan are gochujang jjigae (a spicy stew made of red chili pepper paste), haejang-guk (a soup to ward off hangovers made of pork spine and vegetables), and jjampong (a seafood noodle soup). You’ll also find Korean street food such as dakbal (chicken feet), budae jjigae (a stew made of American-style canned and processed foods with ingredients like Spam, ham, sausages, and cheese), and odaeng (fish cakes). Another must-try Busan specialty is the duo soondae, which are blood sausages.
Jeonju
Jeonju, another city within the Gyeonggi-do region of South Korea, is also known for its fantastic cuisine. It is considered the place where the best flavors of Korean cuisine come together. The food of Jeonju is known for its fusion of flavors - the locals combine their traditional Korean ingredients with a unique touch of Japanese ajumma flavors.
Street food here is popular and can be enjoyed in the many street markets and food stalls around the city. These include makguksu (buckwheat noodle soup), gopchang jeongol (stew made with intestines of pork and cow), and beondegi (silkworm pupae boiled in a spicy broth). Local specialties you’ll find in Jeonju are bibimbap (rice topped with beef and a variety of vegetables) and bindaetteok (a savory pancake made of mung beans).
To wash down all these delicious dishes, beer is a must! Jeonju is known for its craft beer scene, with breweries throughout the city. Be sure to try some local brands like Jeonju dark beer, Jeonju pale ale, or the sweeter-tasting rice beer.
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do is a province that encompasses many cities in the Gyeonggi region. Here, you can find the best of Korean traditional cuisine. Traditional dishes of Gyeonggi-do include bossam (pork belly with radish pickle wrapped in a vegetable leaf), ssambap (rice wrapped in lettuce, sesame leaves, and perilla leaves), and kkotgetang (spicy crab soup). Street food snacks include tteokbokki (rice cakes and fish cakes in spicy sauce) and sundae bokkeum (blood sausage stir-fry).
You also can’t miss out on the amazing local desserts. Some of the popular offerings are jjin-bbang (steamed bread with a red-bean paste filling), hangwa (traditional Korean confectioneries), and sanjaetteok (a simple doughnut).
Conclusion
No matter what type of food you’re looking for, the Busan region has something for you. From seafood delicacies to fiery stews, and traditional flavors to modern fusions, the breadth and depth of food you’ll find in the Busan region is truly amazing. From Busan to Jeonju, and Gyeonggi-do to Seoul, the Korean peninsula is full of delicious flavors for you to explore. So why not visit this beautiful corner of the world and discover the culinary delights that await you?