→ Korea has a much wider variety of noodle dishes than just ramen, enough to surprise many foreigners.
→ If you live in Korea or are traveling here, they are one of the easiest and most convenient choices for lunch.
→ Many people already know that you can get free refills of side dishes in Korea,
💊 but in most Korean restaurants, you can also ask for a larger portion, adjust the spice level, request extra seasoning, or ask them to adjust the flavor.
→ It is also completely normal to ask for side plates or share food with others.
→ Because Korean restaurants are relatively flexible with customer requests, they are easy and comfortable for foreigners to use.
→ Restaurant service in Korea is world-class. Do not worry and feel free to ask for what you need. Most restaurant owners are already used to these kinds of requests.
→ Korean noodle dishes are among the most popular and affordable foods in Korea.
→ This guide introduces the best Korean noodle dishes for foreigners, including prices, tips, and how to order in restaurants.
●●🟧 Noodle Dishes That Are Great for Lunch (Korean Noodle Dishes)
▶ Outside Korea, Korean noodle dishes are usually known only as ramen or japchae, but in reality, there are many types of noodle dishes made with ingredients such as wheat, buckwheat, and potato starch.
▶ These noodle dishes are relatively affordable and easy to find, so they are foods you will come across often while living in Korea.
📌 Many Korean restaurants have a concept called gopbaegi (extra-large portion).
Most noodle dishes, especially kalguksu, can usually be ordered this way.
If you pay about 2,000 to 4,000 KRW extra (about $1.38–$2.76), you can usually get 30% to 50% more food.
→ Sometimes people ask for more after finishing,
but in most cases, you need to request it when you place your order.
→ If you are a man and felt the portion was too small the first time you tried it in Korea, order gopbaegi (extra-large portion) next time.
→ Some restaurants do not offer gopbaegi (extra-large portion), but if you ask for a larger portion, many places will still give you more food, except for some places.
●🟦✓ Kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and Sujebi (hand-torn dough soup)
▶ Both dishes are generally popular with foreigners.
Since they are served hot, it is safer to put a small portion into a side plate before eating.
→ When people first see sujebi (hand-torn dough soup), the shape looks unfamiliar,
so many are surprised and think,
“Did I order the wrong thing?”
But once they actually try it, the chewy dough and savory broth
make it easy for foreigners to enjoy.
It feels like “Korean-style dumpling soup (hand-torn dough soup).”
▶ The price is about 7,000 to 15,000 KRW per serving (about $4.83–$10.34), and the side dishes are usually limited to kimchi.
▶ Many places also sell dumplings, so you can order them together.
If the portion is not enough, you can also add rice.
→ It is not a spicy dish, but some restaurants may add spicy peppers,
so it is better to ask in advance for it to be made mild.
If you like spicy food, you can also ask them to add peppers.
▶ Kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) comes in many varieties depending on the ingredients.
→ Examples include basic kalguksu, clam kalguksu (clam noodle soup), beef bone broth kalguksu, chicken kalguksu, and red bean kalguksu.
→ Clam kalguksu (clam noodle soup) in particular is a representative menu item with a lot of clams,
and it tends to be very satisfying for foreigners. (About 8,000–12,000 KRW, $5.52–$8.28)
→ Eat the clam meat and throw the shells into the container placed on the table.
💊 In many countries, clams are expensive and are rarely used as a main ingredient,
so clam kalguksu in Korea, which is loaded with clams, can be a unique food experience.
●🟦✓ Various Korean Noodle Dishes
(Janchi guksu – light Korean noodle soup,
Kongguksu – cold soybean noodle soup
Bibim guksu – spicy mixed noodles,
Anchovy guksu – anchovy broth noodles,
Makguksu – buckwheat noodles, etc.)
▶ Janchi guksu (light Korean noodle soup) is a classic Korean staple that was traditionally served to guests at weddings or events during more difficult times in Korea.
→ At that time, it was also well known as a dish people enjoyed with soju at street stalls to unwind after a long day.
→ Even now, there are places where you can still find janchi guksu with that kind of atmosphere for about 5,000–6,000 KRW (about $3.45–$4.14),
while slightly more upgraded versions may be served for about 8,000–10,000 KRW (about $5.52–$6.90).
▶ Anchovy guksu (anchovy broth noodles), squid noodles, and pollock noodles often use seafood as the main ingredient.
→ Because of their appearance and ingredients, seafood-based noodle dishes may feel somewhat unfamiliar to foreigners trying them for the first time.
→ Also, seafood noodle specialty restaurants are not easy to find,
so if you are a tourist, it is better to start with easier options like kalguksu or janchi guksu.
●🟦✓ A Korean Specialty: Cold Noodles
Photo © Korea Tourism Organization Photo Korea – Mul Naengmyeon / Alex Bundo
▶ Since cold noodle dishes are not common in many countries, even foreigners living in Korea often avoid them at first.
→ But once they actually try them, many end up enjoying them because they are different from what they expected.
→ They are mostly eaten in summer, but some Koreans and foreigners living in Korea also look for them in winter.
→ Cold noodles can be divided into broth-based types served with ice and mixed noodles that are stirred before eating,
→ and most bibim noodles are served with a slightly spicy flavor.
▶ Representative dishes include naengmyeon, kongguksu, bibim guksu, makguksu, cucumber cold noodles, and jjolmyeon.
💊 There are many specialty naengmyeon restaurants, and at Korean barbecue restaurants, it is often served as a refreshing side dish.
→ It is usually served in a small portion, and both mul naengmyeon and bibim naengmyeon are commonly available.
💊 Kongguksu is made from ground soybeans and is also suitable for vegan and halal diets,
→ and in summer, it is offered as a seasonal menu item at many restaurants.
💊 Makguksu is often served as a side dish at dakgalbi restaurants,
→ and together with kongguksu, it is suitable for vegan and halal diets.
💊 Cold dishes can feel unfamiliar at first,
→ but when you eat Korean barbecue, sharing one bowl of naengmyeon between two people is an easy way to try it without any pressure.
●🟦✓ Korean-Style Chinese Dishes: Jajangmyeon, Jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup), and Udon
Photo © Korea Tourism Organization Photo Korea – Jajangmyeon / Plain Studio
▶ Jajangmyeon and jjamppong started after the Korean War, during a time when food was scarce,
from dishes developed by Chinese chefs using inexpensive ingredients, and they have continued to evolve ever since.
→ Later, they became representative everyday foods in Korea,
and familiar dishes often eaten at family outings or graduation celebrations.
▶ In the past, they were also known as easy meals to eat after moving,
→ and even now, the tradition of eating jajangmyeon and jjamppong on moving day still remains.
▶ Today, they have become some of the most popular delivery foods in Korea,
and they are also widely known among foreigners.
▶ Japanese udon also entered Korea and became established here,
→ with jjamppong generally seen as the spicy soup option and udon as the non-spicy option.
💊 Foreigners who first came across jajangmyeon through K-dramas or instant noodles like Chapagetti are often already familiar with how it looks, so they tend to try it more easily.
→ On the other hand, first-time visitors may be surprised by the color,
but in reality, it is usually easy to eat.
💊 It is sold at most Korean-Chinese restaurants,
and you can also order fried rice, kimchi fried rice, and sweet and sour pork together.
→ If two people are eating,
a good combination is jajangmyeon + jjamppong + sweet and sour pork (small).
→ Prices are
Jajangmyeon about 7,000~8,000 KRW (about $4.83~$5.52)
Jjamppong about 8,000~12,000 KRW (about $5.52~$8.28)
Fried rice around 10,000 KRW (about $6.90)
Sweet and sour pork is about 10,000~20,000 KRW (about $6.90~$13.79), depending on the portion size.
→ Jajangmyeon is a dish that needs to be mixed before eating, so it may feel difficult at first,
but if you lift the noodles and mix them several times, it will come together naturally.
→ When eating jjamppong, it is better to ask for an apron,
and if you ask for a fork, most places will provide one.
→ Pickled radish and onions are served as side dishes,
and if you want kimchi, many places will provide it at no extra charge if you ask.
▶ Q. Can I order jajangmyeon and jjamppong by myself?
A. Yes, at most Korean-Chinese restaurants, you can order by yourself without any problem.
→ Jajangmyeon and jjamppong are very common single-person meals, so it does not feel awkward to go alone.
→ However, for dishes with large portions such as sweet and sour pork, it is better to order a small size or skip it if you are eating alone.
▶ Q. Are there any vegan or halal options among Korean noodle dishes?
→ Some Korean noodle dishes can be chosen as vegan or halal options depending on the ingredients and cooking method.
→ Kongguksu, makguksu, and bibim guksu can often be chosen as vegan options,
→ while clam kalguksu, chicken kalguksu, and anchovy guksu can often be chosen as halal options.
→ However, some dishes such as jjamppong may be difficult to choose because of the ingredients used.
→ Naengmyeon often uses beef broth, so it is not suitable for a vegan diet,
and hoe naengmyeon may sometimes be possible for a halal diet, but it still needs to be checked because the seasoning may contain meat ingredients.
💊 For vegan food, the ingredients matter. For halal food, the cooking method matters, so checking before you order is the safest option.
→ If you want to understand how Korean restaurants work, the article below will help.
👉 How to Order Food in Korean Restaurants
→ You may also want to check out common soups and stews in Korea.
→ In the next article, I will continue by explaining common foods in Korea in more detail.
▶ If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or contact us by email. (📩 Email: visa@bridgeplankorea.com )
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