Essentials
Money in Korea
Best exchange rates, ATMs & how to pay
Read guide →Korean cuisine (hansik) is built around balance — fermented sides (banchan), a steaming bowl of rice, and a main dish that changes with the season. Meals are served all at once rather than in courses, and sharing dishes at the table is the norm. The depth of flavor comes from slow-fermented pastes like doenjang (soybean) and gochujang (chili), which form the backbone of soups, stews, and marinades across the country.
Gangbuk-gu includes the scenic Bukhansan National Park foothills and is known for hiking culture and the restaurants that serve hikers before and after their climbs — hearty soups, makgeolli, and Korean pancakes have been the fuel of choice for generations of weekend walkers.
