True Taste Korea

K-CULTURE

Discover Korean culture through authentic food, K-beauty, travel, traditions, and everyday life. Explore the stories behind Korean dishes, skincare trends, cultural experiences, and must-visit destinations. Go beyond the trends to understand what makes Korean culture unique and why it fascinates people around the world.

  • 7 BTS Places in Korea Every ARMY Should Visit at Least Once

    If you’re an ARMY planning a trip to South Korea, there is one problem.

    There are too many BTS places to visit.

    BTS has filmed music videos, album photos, performances and variety content all across Korea.

    Some locations became so famous that they are now tourist attractions in their own right.

    So if you only have one trip to Korea, where should you go?

    Here are seven BTS-related places worth putting on your itinerary.

    1. BTS Bus Stop — Gangneung

    If you can visit only one BTS photo spot outside Seoul, this may be the most iconic.

    The seaside bus stop at Hyangho Beach in Gangneung appeared on the cover of BTS’s 2017 album You Never Walk Alone.

    There is an interesting story behind it.

    The bus stop wasn’t originally a real public bus stop. It was created for the album shoot and removed afterward.

    But BTS became so globally popular that the city eventually reinstalled it as a tourist attraction.

    Today, fans can sit at the bus stop with the sea behind them and recreate the famous album image.

    Why ARMY should go:
    This is probably one of the easiest BTS locations to recognize instantly from a photograph.

    Location: Hyangho Beach, Jumunjin, Gangneung.

    2. Gyeongbokgung Palace — Seoul

    This one combines two reasons to visit Korea:

    BTS and Korean history.

    In 2020, BTS performed at Gyeongbokgung Palace for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

    Wearing modernized hanbok, they performed “IDOL” in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall and “Mikrokosmos” at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.

    It’s a spectacular BTS location, but even without the BTS connection, Gyeongbokgung is one of Seoul’s essential attractions.

    That’s what makes this stop especially convenient for international ARMY.

    You aren’t sacrificing a day of sightseeing for a fandom location.

    You’re doing both at once.

    3. Nodeul Island — Seoul

    Want something that feels more like BTS’s younger days?

    Go to Nodeul Island.

    Scenes from the “RUN” music video were filmed around this area, including the members running along Hangangdaegyo Bridge.

    BTS later returned to Nodeul Island for their 2021 Season’s Greetings shoot.

    Nodeul Island sits in the middle of the Han River, so it’s also a nice place to experience Seoul away from the busiest tourist streets.

    For longtime fans, however, there is another attraction:

    You can stand in a real Seoul landscape that appeared during one of BTS’s most memorable eras.

    4. Awon Museum & Hotel — Wanju

    This is where a BTS trip begins turning into a Korea trip.

    BTS visited Wanju for their 2019 Summer Package in Korea, and Awon was one of the major locations used for the shoot.

    The site features a traditional Korean hanok that is approximately 250 years old and now operates as a gallery, café and accommodation.

    The surrounding Wanju locations became so closely associated with BTS that Korea Tourism Organization itineraries now explicitly guide travelers through BTS-related sites there.

    This is one of my favorite kinds of BTS tourism.

    You arrive because of BTS.

    But once you’re there, you start discovering traditional Korean architecture, mountains and rural scenery.

    BTS becomes the reason to explore a part of Korea you might otherwise never have visited.

    5. Oseongje Reservoir — Wanju

    While you’re in Wanju, don’t stop at Awon.

    Visit Oseongje Reservoir.

    The quiet reservoir and its famous lone pine tree appeared in BTS’s 2019 Summer Package content and became a popular photo location for fans.

    It isn’t a giant theme park.

    There aren’t huge BTS signs everywhere.

    That’s precisely the appeal.

    It’s simply a peaceful Korean landscape that became meaningful because seven BTS members once stood there.

    For ARMY who prefer quiet photography spots over crowded attractions, this could be one of the best stops on the list.

    6. Everland Rocksville — Yongin

    Now let’s go in the opposite direction.

    If Wanju is peaceful, Everland is pure entertainment.

    BTS filmed their 2020 “Dynamite” performance for America’s Got Talent at Everland’s Rocksville area.

    The retro American-style streets matched the colorful energy of “Dynamite,” and the location subsequently became another BTS photo spot.

    The advantage here is obvious.

    After taking your BTS photos, you’re already inside one of Korea’s biggest theme parks.

    So this is a particularly good choice if you’re traveling with friends or family members who aren’t ARMY.

    You get BTS.

    They get Everland.

    Everybody wins.

    7. Dae Jang Geum Park — Yongin

    Technically, this one belongs to SUGA’s solo history.

    But ARMY will understand why it belongs on the list.

    Dae Jang Geum Park was used to film Agust D’s “Daechwita” music video.

    The huge outdoor set recreates historical Korean streets, buildings and royal spaces, and has also been used for numerous Korean historical dramas.

    This makes it another location where fandom and Korean culture overlap.

    You can visit because you remember SUGA walking through the set as Agust D.

    But you also get to experience the visual world of Korea’s historical dramas.

    For international fans who love both K-pop and K-dramas, it’s an easy recommendation.

    Bonus: Jeju Island for BTS Fans

    If your Korea trip includes Jeju, BTS has left traces there too.

    The Oedolgae Sea Stack appeared in imagery for The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2, while Jeju Best Hill was used for Young Forever photographs.

    Jin’s visit to Iho Tewoo Beach and Jimin’s visit to Snoopy Garden have also turned those locations into stops for fans.

    But I wouldn’t travel to Jeju only for BTS.

    Instead, do the opposite.

    If you’re already visiting Jeju for its beaches, food and volcanic scenery, add BTS locations to your route.

    That’s a much better trip.

    If You Only Have One Day in Seoul

    You don’t need to travel across Korea to have a BTS day.

    Start around Gyeongbokgung Palace, then move toward the Han River and Nodeul Island.

    You can also include Seokchon Lake, where RM has taken and shared photographs; Korea Tourism Organization includes it as part of its official BTS-themed Seoul itinerary.

    That gives you BTS, traditional Korea and modern Seoul in a single day.

    Which BTS Location Should You Visit First?

    For the iconic photograph:

    BTS Bus Stop in Gangneung.

    For your first trip to Korea:

    Gyeongbokgung Palace.

    For traditional Korean atmosphere:

    Wanju.

    For fun:

    Everland.

    For SUGA fans:

    Dae Jang Geum Park.

    And for a longer vacation:

    Jeju.

    But perhaps the best part of BTS tourism isn’t recreating an exact photograph.

    It’s what happens afterward.

    A fan may travel to Gangneung because of an album cover and discover Korea’s east coast.

    They may visit Wanju because BTS stayed there and discover hanok architecture.

    They may follow SUGA to Yongin and become interested in Korean history.

    That’s why BTS tourism is bigger than simply visiting places where celebrities once stood.

    BTS may be the reason you go there — but Korea becomes the reason you remember the trip.

  • CRAVITY Minhee Recommends Dakbokkeumtang — Is It a Stew or Braised Chicken?

    Korean fried chicken is famous around the world.

    But CRAVITY’s Minhee recommends a completely different way to eat chicken in Korea.

    Dakbokkeumtang (닭볶음탕).

    When CRAVITY members were asked which Korean food they would recommend to international fans, Minhee chose braised spicy chicken. And in the same interview, when asked what kind of food he could eat every day, his answer was even simpler:

    Anything made with chicken.

    So if Minhee recommends a Korean chicken dish, dakbokkeumtang seems like a natural choice.

    But what exactly is it?

    What Is Dakbokkeumtang?

    Dakbokkeumtang is a spicy Korean chicken dish made by cooking pieces of chicken with vegetables in a red, savory broth.

    Potatoes are one of its signature ingredients.

    The Korea Tourism Organization describes it as chicken cooked with a red chili powder marinade and broth, with the soft, well-cooked potatoes being an important part of the dish.

    Depending on the recipe, you’ll also find ingredients such as carrots, onions, green onions and garlic.

    Everything cooks together until the chicken is tender and the sauce becomes rich with chicken flavor.

    Is It a Stew or Braised Chicken?

    That’s where the English name can be confusing.

    Dakbokkeumtang is commonly translated as “spicy braised chicken.”

    But when it arrives at the table, you may think:

    “That looks like a stew.”

    And you wouldn’t exactly be wrong.

    The Korea Tourism Organization notes that despite being described as braised chicken, the dish can look quite brothy. Chicken is cooked with red chili powder, gochujang, garlic, onions and other ingredients until the broth becomes thick and intensely savory.

    So don’t worry too much about the English label.

    Just bring rice.

    Why Are the Potatoes So Good?

    Chicken might be the star, but don’t ignore the potatoes.

    As they simmer, they absorb the spicy chicken broth.

    Eventually they become so soft that you can break them apart with a spoon.

    Korea Tourism Organization even suggests crushing the cooked potato into the remaining broth and mixing it with rice.

    That’s when something interesting happens.

    The potato thickens the sauce.

    The rice absorbs it.

    And suddenly you’re fighting over the leftovers instead of the chicken.

    How Spicy Is Dakbokkeumtang?

    Usually, it’s definitely spicy—but it’s not simply about heat.

    The sauce combines chili with the savory flavor of chicken, garlic and vegetables, while potatoes and other vegetables can add some natural sweetness.

    That makes dakbokkeumtang different from a pure spice challenge.

    You keep eating because the sauce tastes good.

    Then the heat catches up with you.

    Then you eat another spoonful of rice.

    And somehow you start again.

    Don’t Throw Away the Sauce

    This might be the most important rule.

    When most of the chicken is gone, don’t assume the meal is finished.

    Some Korean restaurants use the remaining dakbokkeumtang sauce to make fried rice. Korea Tourism Organization specifically highlights restaurants where rice is stir-fried in the leftover sauce after the main dish.

    The rice absorbs the concentrated chicken and chili flavor from everything that has been cooking in the pot.

    For many Korean dishes, the final fried rice isn’t just leftovers.

    It’s practically the second course.

    Why Should International Fans Try Minhee’s Recommendation?

    Internationally, Korean chicken usually means crispy fried chicken covered in sauce.

    Dakbokkeumtang shows another side of Korean chicken culture.

    There’s no crunchy coating.

    Instead, you get tender chicken, soft potatoes and vegetables simmered together in a spicy red broth.

    And Minhee’s recommendation becomes even more fitting when you know his answer to another question in the same interview.

    If he had to eat one type of food every day?

    Anything made from chicken.

    So if you’re a CRAVITY fan exploring Korean food, skip fried chicken for one meal.

    Put a bubbling pot of dakbokkeumtang in the middle of the table.

    Just remember:

    Save some sauce for the rice.

  • CRAVITY Jungmo Recommends Yukhoe Bibimbap — Would You Eat Raw Beef With Rice?

    When international visitors think of Korean beef, they usually imagine one thing:

    Korean barbecue.

    Meat sizzling over a hot grill.

    But CRAVITY’s Jungmo recommends something completely different.

    Yukhoe bibimbap (육회비빔밥).

    And yes—the beef is served raw.

    When CRAVITY members were asked which Korean food they would recommend to international fans, Jungmo chose yukhoe bibimbap.

    So what exactly is it?

    What Is Yukhoe?

    Yukhoe (육회) is Korean-style raw beef.

    You can think of it as Korea’s answer to beef tartare, although the seasoning and serving style are distinctly Korean.

    Fresh beef is sliced into thin strips and commonly seasoned with ingredients such as sesame oil.

    It is often served with Korean pear, and an egg yolk may be placed on top.

    The Korea Tourism Organization describes Korean yukhoe as beef tartare seasoned with ingredients such as sesame oil and pear.

    But Jungmo’s recommendation takes it one step further.

    He chose yukhoe bibimbap.

    What Is Yukhoe Bibimbap?

    Start with a bowl of rice.

    Then add vegetables.

    Then add seasoned raw beef.

    Finally, mix everything together.

    The Korea Tourism Organization’s version includes beef tartare alongside vegetables such as bean sprouts, spinach, bracken, zucchini and radish, plus egg yolk, seaweed and sesame. The ingredients are mixed with sesame oil and seasoned red chili paste.

    In other words, it’s classic bibimbap with one major twist:

    The beef isn’t cooked.

    Why Raw Beef?

    This might be the part that surprises international visitors most.

    Korean cuisine isn’t only about grilling meat.

    Yukhoe is valued for the beef’s soft texture and relatively delicate flavor, while sesame oil, pear and other seasonings provide sweetness and nuttiness.

    Freshness is especially important because the beef is eaten uncooked.

    Korea Tourism Organization notes that one well-known yukhoe restaurant at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market receives fresh Korean beef daily.

    And yukhoe isn’t some obscure modern experiment.

    It’s established enough that Gwangjang Market has an entire alley famous for it.

    Why Put Yukhoe in Bibimbap?

    Because bibimbap is essentially built for mixing.

    Traditional bibimbap combines rice with vegetables, meat and seasoning in one bowl. Korea Tourism Organization describes it as a representative Korean food that reflects the Korean style of combining different ingredients together.

    Replace the cooked beef with yukhoe and you get a very different experience.

    The warm rice meets cool raw beef.

    Crunchy vegetables meet soft meat.

    Gochujang brings heat and sweetness.

    Sesame oil ties everything together.

    The bowl might look carefully arranged when it arrives.

    Then you destroy the presentation.

    That’s the point.

    Mix everything.

    Is Yukhoe Bibimbap Popular Outside Seoul?

    Yes.

    Different regions have their own versions.

    For example, Korea Tourism Organization highlights yukhoe bibimbap as a popular variation of Jeonju bibimbap and explains that the beef can be seasoned with red chili paste, garlic and sesame oil.

    Jinju is also known for beef tartare bibimbap, where seasoned raw beef is placed with colorful vegetables over rice.

    So this isn’t simply a Seoul trend.

    It’s part of a broader Korean raw-beef food tradition.

    Would You Try Jungmo’s Recommendation?

    If you’re uncomfortable with raw meat, yukhoe bibimbap probably isn’t the first Korean dish you should order.

    Start with bulgogi or Korean barbecue.

    But if you’ve already tried those and want to explore something different, Jungmo’s recommendation makes sense.

    You still get familiar Korean flavors:

    Rice.

    Vegetables.

    Gochujang.

    Sesame oil.

    But right in the middle is something many first-time visitors don’t expect:

    raw beef.

    Korean barbecue lets you cook the beef yourself.

    Yukhoe bibimbap asks:

    What if we don’t cook it at all?

  • CRAVITY Allen Recommends Samgyetang — Why Do Koreans Eat Hot Chicken Soup in Summer?

    Imagine a brutally hot summer day.

    The temperature is climbing, you’re already sweating—and someone puts a bowl of boiling-hot chicken soup in front of you.

    In Korea, that’s not unusual.

    It’s called samgyetang (삼계탕), and CRAVITY’s Allen chose it when asked which Korean food he would recommend to international fans.

    His reason was simple: he considers it a healthy food.

    But that raises a much more interesting question.

    Why do Koreans deliberately eat piping-hot chicken soup during the hottest days of summer?

    What Is Samgyetang?

    Samgyetang is a traditional Korean chicken soup.

    A small whole chicken is typically stuffed with glutinous rice and simmered with ingredients such as garlic, jujubes and ginseng.

    The result is very different from Korea’s fiery red stews.

    Samgyetang is generally mild.

    The chicken cooks until tender, while the rice inside absorbs the broth and becomes soft and comforting.

    And unlike fried chicken or Korean barbecue, samgyetang has long been associated with nourishment and restoring energy.

    Why Did Allen Recommend It?

    In a Soompi interview, CRAVITY members were asked which Korean foods they would recommend to international fans.

    Allen chose samgyetang, explaining that he thought it was good for your health.

    That’s actually a useful choice for someone trying Korean food for the first time.

    Many internationally famous Korean dishes are spicy, heavily seasoned or grilled.

    Samgyetang shows another side of Korean cuisine:

    simple ingredients, a mild broth and a focus on nourishment.

    Why Eat Hot Soup in Hot Weather?

    Here’s where samgyetang gets fascinating.

    Korea has an expression:

    이열치열 (以熱治熱)

    It roughly means “fight heat with heat.”

    Instead of cooling down with only cold food, the idea is to eat something hot and nourishing, sweat and restore the energy believed to be depleted during intense summer weather.

    Samgyetang is especially associated with Sambok, traditionally considered the three hottest periods of the Korean summer.

    On these days, samgyetang restaurants can become packed with customers.

    So while an icy bowl of naengmyeon makes perfect sense on a hot day, Koreans also have the exact opposite answer:

    boiling chicken soup.

    What Does Samgyetang Taste Like?

    If you expect the aggressive spice of Korean ramyeon or tteokbokki, you may be surprised.

    Samgyetang’s broth is usually subtle and savory.

    Garlic adds depth, while ingredients such as ginseng and jujube give the soup a distinctive herbal character.

    The chicken itself is tender enough to pull apart easily.

    Inside, you’ll find soft glutinous rice that has absorbed the chicken broth.

    Salt and pepper are often provided separately, allowing diners to season the meat and soup according to their own taste.

    Is There Really Ginseng Inside?

    Yes.

    The name explains the dish.

    Sam (삼) refers to ginseng, while gye (계) refers to chicken and tang (탕) means soup.

    Ginseng is one of the ingredients that gives samgyetang its reputation as a nourishing meal.

    That also makes the dish particularly interesting for international visitors.

    You’re not simply eating Korean chicken soup.

    You’re experiencing a food tied to Korea’s traditional ideas about season, heat and restoring the body.

    Should First-Time Visitors Try Samgyetang?

    Absolutely—especially if spicy Korean food isn’t your thing.

    Samgyetang provides a very different introduction to Korean cuisine from the dishes that tend to go viral overseas.

    There’s no flaming-red sauce.

    No tabletop grill.

    No extreme spice challenge.

    Just a whole chicken, rice, garlic, ginseng and a warm broth.

    And if you happen to visit Korea during the hottest part of summer, don’t be surprised to see people lining up for it.

    That’s the paradox that makes samgyetang memorable:

    The hotter the weather gets, the hotter the soup becomes.

    CRAVITY’s Allen recommends it.

    Koreans have been eating it through summer heat for generations.

    Maybe sweating over a bowl of chicken soup isn’t such a strange idea after all.

  • BTS Jin Loves Naengmyeon — Why Are Korean Noodles Served Ice-Cold?

    Most people expect noodles to be hot.

    BTS Jin has long been associated with a Korean noodle dish that does the exact opposite.

    Naengmyeon (냉면).

    These thin, chewy noodles are served in an icy-cold broth—sometimes with actual ice floating in the bowl.

    For anyone discovering Korean food for the first time, that can raise an obvious question:

    Why would you want your noodles freezing cold?

    What Is Naengmyeon?

    Naengmyeon literally means “cold noodles.”

    One of the best-known versions, mul-naengmyeon, combines chewy noodles with chilled broth traditionally made with ingredients such as beef and dongchimi, a Korean radish water kimchi.

    Typical toppings include sliced beef, cucumber, radish, pear and boiled egg.

    Korea Tourism Organization describes cold buckwheat noodles as noodles served in chilled beef broth and notes that they are especially popular during Korea’s hot summer months.

    There is also bibim-naengmyeon, which skips most or all of the broth and coats the noodles in a spicy red sauce.

    Same idea.

    Completely different experience.

    Jin and Naengmyeon Go Back Years

    Jin’s connection with naengmyeon isn’t difficult to understand if you’ve followed his food appearances.

    In a 2017 television appearance, Jin recalled going out for samgyeopsal with actor Lee Won-geun. The two ate 12 servings of pork belly and six bowls of rice.

    And what did they have for dessert?

    Naengmyeon.

    Yes—in Korea, cold noodles can come after Korean barbecue.

    That’s one of the first things international visitors may find surprising.

    Why Eat Cold Noodles After Hot Korean BBQ?

    Imagine you’ve just spent an hour eating fatty pork or beef straight from a hot grill.

    Then a bowl arrives filled with cold, refreshing broth and chewy noodles.

    The contrast works.

    In fact, the Korea Tourism Organization notes that eating naengmyeon instead of rice at the end of a galbi meal has become a common way to finish with something refreshing.

    So naengmyeon isn’t simply another noodle dish.

    It can also be the Korean answer to:

    “What should we eat after all that meat?”

    But Naengmyeon Wasn’t Originally a Summer Food

    Here’s the surprising part.

    Today, Koreans strongly associate naengmyeon with summer.

    Historically, however, it was also a winter food.

    Korea’s official government site explains that naengmyeon was traditionally enjoyed during winter, when dongchimi was available, and historical records describe people eating it around the winter solstice.

    Imagine sitting on a warm ondol floor during a freezing Korean winter while eating a bowl of cold noodles.

    That sounds strange today.

    Historically, it made perfect sense.

    What Does Naengmyeon Taste Like?

    Don’t expect the explosive flavor of tteokbokki or spicy ramyeon.

    Especially with Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon, the broth can be surprisingly delicate.

    Korea Tourism Organization describes its clear broth as subtle but addictive and notes that cold noodles may be unfamiliar to international visitors accustomed to hot noodle soups.

    That’s part of the appeal.

    The first bite might make you wonder:

    “Is that it?”

    Then you take another.

    And another.

    Suddenly the bowl is empty.

    Want to Eat Like Jin?

    If you’re already planning to try Korean barbecue in Korea, there’s an easy way.

    After the meat, don’t immediately ask for the bill.

    Look for 냉면 (naengmyeon) on the menu.

    Order a bowl.

    And when freezing-cold noodles arrive after a sizzling-hot barbecue dinner, you’ll understand one of the more unusual combinations in Korean food culture.

    Hot grill. Cold noodles.

    Somehow, it works.

  • Jay Park Misses Tteokbokki in America — What Makes It So Addictive?

    Jay Park has lived between two food cultures.

    When he’s in Korea, there are American and Mexican-style foods he misses.

    But what about when he’s in the United States?

    One Korean food comes to mind:

    Tteokbokki (떡볶이).

    During an interview with Soompi, Jay Park was asked which Korean foods he misses while in America.

    His answer was straightforward: tteokbokki.

    He even added that he loves it.

    So what makes this simple Korean street food so hard to forget?

    What Is Tteokbokki?

    Tteokbokki is one of Korea’s most famous street foods.

    The classic version combines chewy rice cakes with vegetables and a red, spicy-sweet sauce usually based on gochujang.

    Fish cake is another common addition.

    It doesn’t sound particularly complicated.

    But that’s part of its appeal.

    The rice cakes absorb the thick sauce while retaining their distinctive chewy texture.

    The result is spicy, sweet, savory and chewy at the same time.

    Tteokbokki Is More Than Just Street Food in Korea

    For many Koreans, tteokbokki is connected to childhood.

    The Korea Tourism Organization describes memories of students stopping at small snack shops after school to eat tteokbokki with friends, which helped make it a kind of Korean nostalgia food.

    That’s an important part of understanding the dish.

    Tteokbokki isn’t supposed to be fancy.

    It’s affordable comfort food—the kind of thing you can share with friends without planning a special dinner.

    That makes Jay Park’s answer particularly relatable.

    Of all the elaborate Korean dishes he could miss while overseas, he picked one of Korea’s simplest everyday foods.

    How Spicy Is Tteokbokki?

    That depends.

    The bright-red sauce can look intimidating, but different restaurants make it at very different heat levels.

    Traditional modern-style tteokbokki is generally both sweet and spicy, rather than simply hot.

    And today there are countless variations.

    You can find cheese tteokbokki, jjajang tteokbokki, rosé tteokbokki and even versions with ramen noodles. The classic gochujang version, however, remains at the center of Korean bunsik culture.

    What Should You Eat With Tteokbokki?

    Here’s where things get even better.

    A Korean bunsik shop usually doesn’t sell only tteokbokki.

    You might order:

    Tteokbokki + fried food + sundae + gimbap.

    The Korea Tourism Organization notes that tteokbokki, fried foods and Korean sundae are such a popular combination that Koreans even shorten the three names into “tteoktwisun.”

    And don’t waste the sauce.

    Dip a fried dumpling or another piece of fried food into the leftover tteokbokki sauce and you’ll understand why the combination works.

    Why Does Jay Park Miss It?

    Jay Park didn’t give a complicated explanation.

    He simply said that when he’s in the States, tteokbokki is one of the Korean foods he misses and that he loves it.

    Maybe that’s exactly the point.

    The foods people miss aren’t always expensive restaurant dishes.

    Sometimes they’re the cheap, familiar foods attached to everyday life.

    For Jay Park, one of those foods is a bowl of chewy rice cakes covered in spicy red sauce.

    And if you’re discovering Korean food through K-pop, tteokbokki might be one of the easiest places to start.

    Just have something cold to drink nearby.

  • SHINee Onew Loves Nakji-bokkeum — How Spicy Is Korean Stir-Fried Octopus?

    SHINee’s Onew has a surprisingly fiery taste in Korean food.

    When asked about his favorite Korean side dish in a Soompi interview, Onew said he was obsessed with nakji-bokkeum (낙지볶음).

    And he added one important detail:

    He likes it really spicy.

    That makes his choice especially interesting because nakji-bokkeum already has a reputation for bringing serious heat.

    So what exactly is this bright-red Korean octopus dish?

    What Is Nakji-bokkeum?

    Nakji-bokkeum is Korean spicy stir-fried octopus.

    Small octopus is cut into pieces and quickly stir-fried with a powerful seasoning usually built around Korean chili, garlic, soy sauce and other sweet and savory ingredients.

    The result is a dish with several things happening at once:

    Tender and chewy octopus, a savory sauce, a touch of sweetness—and plenty of heat.

    KBS World notes that the hot and spicy version became popular through restaurants in Seoul’s Mugyo-dong area in the early 1960s and eventually developed into a familiar Korean dish.

    Onew Wants It Even Spicier

    Here’s the fun part.

    Nakji-bokkeum isn’t normally considered mild food to begin with.

    Yet Onew specifically said he likes it “really spicy.”

    For anyone who associates K-pop idols with carefully prepared salads or trendy café food, that’s a rather different picture.

    Onew’s choice is a plate of octopus covered in red seasoning that can have you reaching for your water after a few bites.

    What Does Nakji-bokkeum Taste Like?

    The octopus itself has a mild seafood flavor and pleasantly chewy texture.

    Most of the personality comes from the seasoning.

    A typical version balances chili heat with garlic, soy sauce, sweetness and sesame oil. One well-known preparation from Korean food creator Maangchi uses both gochugaru and other savory-sweet seasonings and recommends serving the finished octopus immediately with rice.

    And rice is important.

    A spoonful of plain rice helps balance the fiery sauce while turning nakji-bokkeum into a filling meal.

    Is It Too Spicy for First-Time Visitors?

    That depends on your tolerance.

    Some traditional versions—particularly the Mugyo-dong style—are famous for being intensely spicy. Historically, restaurants have served milder foods or soups alongside the octopus to balance the heat.

    If you’re trying it for the first time, there’s no shame in asking whether the restaurant can reduce the spice.

    But if you want to follow Onew’s example?

    Go hot.

    Really hot.

    A Different Korean Food for SHINee Fans

    Many visitors to Korea begin with bulgogi, fried chicken, bibimbap or Korean barbecue.

    Nakji-bokkeum offers something different.

    It’s seafood rather than meat, its texture is distinctly Korean, and the chili-heavy sauce makes it a memorable introduction to Korea’s love of spicy food.

    And SHINee fans have one more reason to remember its name.

    Onew didn’t simply say he liked nakji-bokkeum.

    He wanted it extra spicy.

    So if you ever find yourself staring at a bright-red plate of octopus in Korea and wondering whether you can handle another bite, just ask yourself:

    Would Onew think this is spicy enough?

  • EXO D.O. Can Really Cook — What Is His Famous “D.O. Rice Soup”?

    Many K-pop stars talk about their favorite Korean foods.

    EXO’s D.O. goes one step further.

    He actually cooks them.

    D.O., also known as Doh Kyung-soo, holds a Korean cooking certification, and on an EXO reality show he prepared a special Korean rice soup for his fellow members.

    The dish became known simply as “D.O. Rice Soup.”

    So what did he put in it?

    D.O. Isn’t Just a K-pop Idol Who Likes Food

    Cooking has long been associated with D.O., but this particular dish shows that he knows how to build flavor from relatively simple ingredients.

    According to the Korea Tourism Organization, D.O. prepared his rice soup using dried seafood and mushrooms, creating a rich broth for the EXO members.

    D.O. himself described the idea very simply: rice goes into soup, followed by toppings such as green onions or mushrooms.

    The other EXO members apparently thought the result was anything but ordinary.

    They applauded and gave him thumbs up after tasting it.

    What Exactly Is Gukbap?

    The Korean word gukbap (국밥) combines two everyday words:

    Guk (국) = soup
    Bap (밥) = rice

    In its simplest form, it’s rice eaten together with hot soup.

    But there isn’t just one type of gukbap.

    Different regions and restaurants use beef, pork, seafood and other ingredients to create very different broths. The Korea Tourism Organization describes gukbap as a long-established Korean meal valued for being simple, satisfying and quick to eat—almost a traditional form of Korean fast food.

    That’s part of what makes D.O.’s version interesting.

    Instead of simply copying one famous restaurant-style gukbap, he created his own version around dried seafood and mushrooms.

    Why Is Rice in Soup Such a Big Deal in Korea?

    For someone unfamiliar with Korean food, putting rice into soup might not sound particularly special.

    In Korea, however, rice and soup are fundamental parts of the traditional meal.

    A typical Korean table places rice and soup directly in front of the diner, surrounded by various side dishes.

    Gukbap takes those two staples and brings them together in one comforting bowl.

    It’s hot.

    It’s filling.

    And it doesn’t need to look fancy to taste good.

    That makes it a very different side of Korean food from the colorful dishes tourists usually encounter first.

    Could You Make D.O. Rice Soup at Home?

    Probably more easily than you might expect.

    The version highlighted by the Korea Tourism Organization relies on a flavorful broth built with dried seafood and mushrooms, with rice and toppings such as green onions or mushrooms added to finish the dish.

    That means you don’t need a tabletop Korean barbecue grill or dozens of ingredients to understand the basic idea.

    Start with a deeply flavored soup.

    Add rice.

    Add your toppings.

    And suddenly one of Korea’s simplest comfort-food ideas becomes a complete meal.

    D.O. Shows Another Side of K-food

    There’s something fitting about ending a K-pop food journey with D.O.

    Lisa introduced us to gamjatang.

    Jungkook gave ramyeon his own twist.

    Jimin brought us to samgyeopsal.

    Key and Minho connected us to sundae-gukbap.

    Hwasa helped turn gopchang into a nationwide craze.

    And D.O. actually stepped into the kitchen and made his own Korean rice soup for his members.

    Sometimes the most interesting way to discover Korean food isn’t asking what a K-pop star eats.

    It’s asking:

    What would they cook for their friends?

  • MAMAMOO Hwasa Ate Gopchang on TV — Then Korea Started Selling Out

    Can a K-pop idol change what an entire country wants for dinner?

    MAMAMOO’s Hwasa practically did.

    In June 2018, Hwasa appeared on the Korean reality show I Live Alone and went to a restaurant by herself.

    Her meal?

    Gopchang (곱창), grilled beef intestines.

    It sounds like a simple TV moment. But what happened afterward became one of Korea’s most memorable celebrity food crazes.

    What Is Gopchang?

    Gopchang usually refers to the small intestines of cattle or pigs, although Korean gopchang restaurants often serve several different cuts of offal together.

    At a typical restaurant, beef intestines are grilled on a hot plate with vegetables.

    The outside becomes browned and slightly crisp, while the inside remains rich, fatty and chewy.

    It’s commonly eaten with dipping sauces and often followed by fried rice cooked directly on the same grill.

    For first-time visitors to Korea, the idea of eating intestines may sound adventurous.

    For many Koreans, however, gopchang is a familiar food—especially as a meal enjoyed with drinks.

    Hwasa Didn’t Just Taste It — She Loved It

    Hwasa’s appearance was memorable because she wasn’t delicately sampling a strange dish for television.

    She genuinely enjoyed it.

    During the episode, she explained that she likes organ meats including heart, liver, makchang and daechang. She ordered beef gopchang, then continued with gopchang hot pot and fried rice.

    She was also eating alone, outdoors, in the middle of the day.

    For viewers accustomed to polished idol appearances, the scene felt unusually casual and relatable.

    Then something unexpected happened.

    The “Hwasa Effect” Hit Korea

    People watching the program suddenly wanted gopchang too.

    MBC later reported that the broadcast triggered a nationwide “gopchang craze.” Some restaurants struggled to secure enough supply, while others sold out and closed early.

    By the end of 2018, MBC was still listing Hwasa’s gopchang appearance among the year’s standout entertainment moments, noting that customers had lined up outside restaurants and that shortages followed the broadcast.

    Hwasa’s influence became so closely associated with the food that she even received a plaque of appreciation from the industry.

    One idol eating lunch had turned into a food trend.

    You Can Still Find the Restaurant

    The story didn’t disappear when the TV episode ended.

    The Korea Tourism Organization currently includes Daehan Gopchang’s Jangan branch in its guide to restaurants associated with Hallyu stars, identifying it as the restaurant where Hwasa ate grilled beef intestines on I Live Alone.

    For K-pop fans visiting Korea, that makes gopchang more than another dish to check off a food list.

    It’s a chance to try the food behind a genuine piece of K-pop pop-culture history.

    Would You Try Hwasa’s Gopchang?

    Gopchang probably isn’t the first Korean food most tourists think about.

    Korean barbecue, fried chicken, bibimbap and tteokbokki are much more familiar internationally.

    But that’s exactly why Hwasa’s choice is interesting.

    She introduced millions of viewers to something less glamorous, ate it exactly the way she wanted—and made it look so good that people across Korea went looking for it.

    So if you’re ready to go beyond the usual Korean barbecue on your next trip, remember the dish that caused the Hwasa Effect.

    Just save some room for the fried rice at the end.

  • SHINee Key and Minho Love “Sundae” — But It’s Not Ice Cream

    If someone in America says “sundae,” you probably imagine ice cream covered with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

    But when SHINee’s Key and Minho talk about Korean sundae (순대), they mean something completely different.

    Think sausage, hot broth and rice.

    According to the Korea Tourism Organization, Key and Minho have a long connection to sundae-gukbap (순대국밥), a hearty Korean soup they enjoyed from their trainee days.

    What Is Korean Sundae?

    Korean sundae is not a dessert.

    It is a type of Korean blood sausage, traditionally made by stuffing ingredients such as glass noodles into a casing along with other fillings.

    It can be eaten on its own, but one of the most comforting ways to enjoy it is in sundae-gukbap.

    Gukbap literally combines the Korean words for soup (guk) and rice (bap).

    Put them together and you get a hot, filling meal built around broth, rice and sundae.

    Key and Minho Ate It During Their Trainee Days

    This is what makes their connection to the dish more interesting than a simple celebrity food recommendation.

    The Korea Tourism Organization introduces a sundae-gukbap restaurant associated with Key and Minho and describes the dish as a “soul food” they have enjoyed since their trainee days.

    That means the story goes back to before the polished performances, world tours and years of SHINee fame.

    For two young trainees working toward their debut, a steaming bowl of inexpensive, filling soup would have been a very different kind of meal from the glamorous food people might associate with celebrities today.

    What Does Sundae-Gukbap Taste Like?

    Don’t let the words “blood sausage” scare you away.

    The broth is warm, savory and rich, while the sundae has a soft texture. Depending on the restaurant, the soup may also contain different cuts of pork.

    Then comes the fun part.

    Korean diners can customize the bowl with ingredients such as salted shrimp, chili seasoning, green onions or perilla powder.

    Add rice and suddenly you have the kind of meal that can warm you up on a cold Korean day.

    And No, You Won’t Get Ice Cream

    This is one Korean word foreign visitors should remember.

    Order a sundae in Korea and you won’t receive dessert.

    Order sundae-gukbap, and you’ll get something even further from an American ice cream sundae—a steaming bowl of Korean comfort food.

    And for SHINee fans, it comes with another story:

    It’s a taste connected to Key and Minho’s trainee days.

    So if you’re exploring Korea through K-pop, perhaps your next stop shouldn’t be another trendy café.

    Try one of Korea’s humble bowls of comfort food instead.

    Just don’t expect a cherry on top.