South Korea · FOOD

The 15 Food Experiences in South Korea That Are Worth the Money

53 tours  ·  from $43 a head

Good food experiences fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Seoul Street Food Market Tour - Meeting at Jongno 5-ga
Food, Food & Drink, Korean Food & Street Food Tours, Markets, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Seoul

Seoul Street Food Market Tour

1.Seoul Street Food Market Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,226 reviews · from $73Our pick

Spend about two hours exploring Seoul’s market food scene with a guide such as Juno, Yoon, Tan, Rocky, or Jacob. Taste Korean dishes and drinks, learn drinking games and food customs, and get restaurant tips for the rest of your stay. Food and non-alcoholic options are included, with advance notice for vegetarian diets and allergies.

“Love it! Roky stories were very entertaining . He’s like a long last friend that I met up again . Food was the best - love Korean food . Great selection . The best part was it started to snow when we were having hot soup - perfect !”

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Seoul: Night Market Food Tour with Local Guide - What the two-hour route feels like
Food, Food & Drink, Guided, Korean Food & Street Food Tours, Markets, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Seoul

Seoul: Night Market Food Tour with Local Guide

2.Night Market Food Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 943 reviews · 2 hours · from $73

Meet your English-speaking guide outside Jongno 5-ga Station and spend two hours eating through Gwangjang Market. You may try up to 10 dishes, from mung bean pancakes and dumplings to tteokbokki, kimbap, rice wine, and adventurous seafood. Guides such as Juno, Jacob, Yoon, Tan, Kevin, and Roky add food stories, etiquette, and Korean drinking games.

“Yoon was a great guide through the markets, taking care of every member and their different requirements. All the food was enjoyable, even the octopus!”

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Downtown Seoul Guided Food & Market Tour with 8+ Local Tastings - The market tastings: mung bean pancakes, dumplings, and more
Food, Food & Drink, Guided, Markets, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Seoul

Downtown Seoul Guided Food & Market Tour with 8+ Local Tastings

3.Downtown Seoul Guided Food & Market Tour with 8+ Local Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 580 reviews · from $98

Spend about three hours tasting Korean favorites with a guide such as Alex, Jae, Youla, or Ji Yoon. Visit a traditional market and local food stops for mung bean pancakes, dumplings, tteokbokki, kimbap, sweets, tea, and a secret dish. The tour begins near Jongno and ends at a teahouse in Insadong.

“A great experience walking around the market in Seoul. There was one other couple on our tour so it was small and personal. We had four stops and tried mung bean pancake, beef tartar, tteokbokki, fish cake in broth, seaweed rolls (kimbap), two kinds of mandu dumplings, and a choice of fresh watermelon drink or rice drink. We had a bonus donut at the market as well. We had to leave the tour early before going to the second location in order to make it to our cruise ship in time, but we had a wonderful time at the market, lots to see and we were able to pick up…”

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Seoul Night Palace & Market Food Tour with Vehicle - Changgyeonggung Palace after sunset
Food, Food & Drink, Korean Food & Street Food Tours, Markets, Palace & Gyeongbokgung Tours, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Seoul

Seoul Night Palace & Market Food Tour with Vehicle

4.Seoul Night Palace & Market Food Tour with Vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 275 reviews · from $79

Begin at Hyehwa Station, walk to Changgyeonggung Palace, then ride between the palace, Gwangjang Market, and Jogyesa Temple. Your English-speaking guide explains Korean history and customs while you try pancakes, makgeolli, raw beef, live octopus, dumplings, and a twisted donut. Expect about four hours, plenty of walking, and a market meal that may be the evening’s main event.

“It was incredible experience!!!!!!! So much fun!!!!!🤩 Mia is a great tour guide!!!!!!!! It was very interesting and big program!!!!!!!!! Time was flying!!!!!!!! So much information places and food!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!?”

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Seoul Fun Food Tour: 12 different food tastings - What the Korean food explanations add
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Seoul Fun Food Tour: 12 different food tastings

5.Seoul Fun Food Tour: 12 different food tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 266 reviews · from $88

Spend about three hours with an English-speaking local guide, often Suha, sampling Korean favorites at Gwangjang Market, cooking ramen from a wide choice of flavors, walking beside Cheonggyecheon Stream, and finishing with tea or coffee in Ikseon-dong. The group is limited to 10, with many departures operating closer to eight people.

“Go hungry, there is a lot of food, all of it good. Our guide Suwa was a awesome. There was a little surprise at the end, so enjoy it.”

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The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Seoul: The 10 Tastings - Noodle Alley, dumplings, and Seoul comfort food
Food, Food & Drink, Korean Food & Street Food Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Seoul

The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Seoul: The 10 Tastings

6.The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Seoul: The 10 Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 128 reviews · from $178

Start near Hoehyeon and eat your way through Seoul with a private local guide. Expect 10 food and drink tastings, market stops, Korean classics such as noodles and bibimbap, city sights, and flexible pacing. Guides including Kim, Sanghee, Julian, Hailey, and Jason have led this experience, though your guide is assigned at booking.

“Hailey knew just the right spots to take us. The last stop at the tea room was our favorite and a great spot to relax after all the walking.”

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Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour - Starting at Seomyeon and entering Bujeon Market
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Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour

7.Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · from $95

Meet Suyang Chang near Seomyeon, explore Bujeon Market, choose two Korean side dishes plus one stew or soup, and cook them in his kitchen. The five-hour class can be adapted for vegetarians, vegans, and dietary requests. You eat what you make, receive recipes, and return to the meeting point.

“The tour coordinator is so sweet! Took the time to educate us on Korean culture and language. I would definitely recommend this experience and would especially recommend the braised tofu with spicy sauce! My friend and I thought it was time well spent!”

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Busan: Small-Group Traditional Korean Food Cooking Class - The welcome drink and first taste of Korean flavor
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Busan: Small-Group Traditional Korean Food Cooking Class

8.Small-Group Traditional Korean Food Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 58 reviews · 3 hours · from $98

In a small English and Korean cooking class near Haeundae Beach, Min or Kim guides you through Korean sauces, bibimbap, and other home-style dishes using seasonal ingredients. You cook, eat at a traditional bapsang table, taste tea and dessert, and take home recipes, a certificate, and a small gift.

“I recently took a cooking class with Min, and it was an incredible experience! Min was easy to understand and spoke English very well, making the class enjoyable and accessible. The food we prepared was absolutely amazing—full of flavor and authentic. Min also went above and beyond by offering great advice on what to see and do around Busan, which was a fantastic bonus. I highly recommend her class to anyone looking for a fun and delicious way to learn about Korean cuisine while exploring the local area!”

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Busan history and market food tour with local chef - BIFF Square and Busan’s famous hotteok
Food, Food & Drink, Historical Tours, Korean Food & Street Food Tours, Markets, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Busan

Busan history and market food tour with local chef

9.Busan history and market food tour with local chef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $50Best value

Join local chef Heeyoung for a two-hour food walk through Busan’s Jagalchi Seafood Market, BIFF Square, and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market. Expect market stories, Korean street-food tastings, help choosing foods, and restaurant tips for the rest of your stay. The group is capped at 10 people and begins at 4 p.m.

“Good tour. The tour had a very casual vibe. It felt a lot like walking around a market with a group of friends.”

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Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour - Starting at 10:00 a.m. in Seo-gu
Cooking Classes, Food, Food & Drink, Markets, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Busan, Workshops

Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour

10.Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $109

Join English-speaking chef Heeyoung for a four-hour Busan cooking class built around local seafood and Korean food customs. You will prepare several dishes, eat your meal with rice wine, take part in a tea ceremony, and walk through Bupyeong Kkangtong Market with help understanding ingredients and local food traditions.

“This was a wonderful experience with a great host! If you would like to dive into traditional SK culture, I can only recommend this cooking class!”

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Afternoon E-bike tour and "Happy Hour" food and drinks - Gwanghwamun Square and the Heart of Modern Seoul
Food, Food & Drink, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Seoul

Afternoon E-bike tour and “Happy Hour” food and drinks

11.Afternoon E-bike tour and “Happy Hour” food and drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $105

Ride an e-bike through Seoul with a guide such as Taejin, Vincent, or Hagar, stopping at palaces, traditional neighborhoods, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Gwanghwamun Square. The three-hour tour ends with seasonal Korean food and drinks, including kimchi soup, pancakes, makgeolli, or K-fried chicken.

“10/10 highly recommend! This was a really great bike tour! I booked it last minute and they didn’t cancel although it was just me. The tour guide was very informative and the tour itself was well planned. We had stops for snacks and had plentRead more”

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Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast - Starting at Mangwon Station near Hongdae
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Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast

12.Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $50

Spend 2½ hours with local food guides Jay or Sam in Seoul’s Mangwon Market. Sample tteokbokki, gimbap, fried chicken, drinks, Hanwoo beef, and upgraded tofu while learning how Korean food fits daily life. The small group ends at Mangwon Hangang Park when weather allows. No vegan, kosher, or halal option is available, and children under 15 are not accepted.

“When I say we had THE BEST TIME I'm not exaggerating. We did the tour on our last night in Seoul and it was perfect! It was definitely one of the highlights of our whole trip. We learned so much about korean food and culture and got to try so much food too. We were really full; so come with an empty stomach :) Our guide Jay was knowladgeable and friendly, but also funny. We had great conversations. It was like doing a market tour with a friend. We loved it and higly recommend! :)”

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Vegan & Vegetarian Korean Market Adventure Gwangjang Market - Tasting Pancakes, Kimbap, and Boribap
Food, Korean Food & Street Food Tours, Markets, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Seoul, Vegan & Vegetarian

Vegan & Vegetarian Korean Market Adventure Gwangjang Market

13.Vegan & Vegetarian Korean Market Adventure Gwangjang Market

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $98

Meet chef Yie at Gwangjang Market for a private, plant-based food walk through one of Seoul's best-known markets. Over 2 hours 45 minutes, you can sample selected Korean dishes such as pancakes, kimbap, and boribap while learning which stalls avoid meat and fish sauce. Gluten-free needs can be discussed.

“Enjoyed both food and company of our guide Chef Yie is obviously knowledgeable and was excited to share his experiences with us. We learned not just about the foods but also the Korean culture.. Highly recommend arriving on an empty stomach—you’re in for a treat!”

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Vegan Korean Food Cooking Class: Gimbap, Sundubu Jjigae, and more - Rolling gimbap, one strip at a time
Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes in Seoul, Food, Food & Drink, Tour Reviews, Tours in Seoul, Vegan & Vegetarian, Workshops

Vegan Korean Food Cooking Class: Gimbap, Sundubu Jjigae, and more

14.Vegan Korean Food Cooking Class: Gimbap, Sundubu Jjigae, and more

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $75

Join instructor Soomin in Itaewon for a hands-on vegan Korean cooking class limited to four people. You’ll roll gimbap, make sundubu jjigae from scratch, cook soy pulp pancakes, and shape flower-topped hwa-jeon. The class lasts about 2.5 hours and can accommodate gluten-free requests.

“This class was the perfect introduction to Korean cooking whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or meat eater. Soomin was a great instructor, taking the time to explain ingredients and processes while guiding us smoothly through the cookiRead more”

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Seoul: Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour - Insa-dong: art, antiques, and the old Seoul story
Food, Food & Drink, Korean Food & Street Food Tours, Markets, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Seoul

Seoul: Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour

15.Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 31 reviews · 3 hours · from $64

Start at Anguk Station with a guide such as Peter, Sally, Alan, Sam, or Charlie, then walk through Insa-dong and Ikseon-dong before eating 3 to 5 Korean street-food samples at Gwangjang Market. Expect history, art, hanok lanes, and useful help choosing unfamiliar dishes. The tour ends at the market.

“Hi Peter, Please put our comments below, into a social media platform. Our Netflix food tour in Seoul with Peter Park was wonderful! Peter is a fantastic guide, and despite terrible weather conditions-made our tour with him the best event of our entire time in South Korea. Thank you Peter for a great tour and introduction to Seoul! The Octopus at the end of the tour was definitely a highlight not to be missed! Ken Schmidt Canada”

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New in Food

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★ 4.0Seoul Foodie Walking TourFrom $4511 reviews
★ 5.0Seoul City Night View and Foodie Walking TourFrom $5512 reviews
★ 5.0Secret Cooking Class in Seoul by Secret Food ToursFrom $8712 reviews
★ 5.0Private Downtown Seoul Food & Market Tour with 8+ TastingsFrom $33527 reviews
★ 5.0Private K-Food Walking Tour Including Visit to Dongdaemun DistrictFrom $923 reviews
★ 5.0Night Food Tour in Seoul with Traditional and Modern CuisineFrom $893 reviews
★ 5.0K-food cooking Japchae Mandu Tteokbokki & FishcakeFrom $8111 reviews

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