South Korea’s Regional Culinary Delights
“When it comes to Korean cuisine, one thing is certain: you’ll never be short of choice. From kimchi to bibimbap, crispy fried chicken to traditional barbeque beef, countless dishes have helped place South Korea firmly on the culinary map as a top global destination for food lovers.
And while Seoul boasts an eclectic mix of unforgettable high-end dining and world-class street food, for those willing to venture beyond the dynamic capital, there is so much more to discover.
“To really capture the variety and color of Korean cuisine, it’s important to visit the coast, the mountains and the agricultural areas,” says Andrew Evans, TV host and travel writer at National Geographic. “Korean food is centered on local produce, so traveling outside the capital gives you a whole new set of ingredients. I especially love the dining scene in Busan, which centers on fresh seafood caught along the beautiful coastline.”
This rich and diverse geography has produced an array of truly unique regional culinary experiences. For those eager to explore, Intrepid Travel’s 7-night Real Adventure Tour includes a visit to Busan’s bustling seafood market before sampling fresh clams at an oceanfront restaurant; a temple stay complete with a vegan dinner and chanting meditation in Gyeongju; and a culinary master class in kimchi and hangwa (sugar cookies) in Jeonju.
