한국국제교류재단

Hansik (literally “Korean food”) topped the list of items chosen by foreigners as best representing Korea, according to a survey released last year by the Korean Culture and Information Service. Hansik also plays a crucial role in creating a satisfying trip for foreign tourists to Korea. When the Korean Food Promotion Institute asked foreigners who visited Korean restaurants why they had chosen those particular eateries, good-tasting food was the number one reason, mentioned by 47.9 percent of the respondents. Meanwhile, 32.3 percent said they liked the side dishes offered free of charge, and 31.8 percent pointed to the new cultural experience they could have at the restaurants. Respondents were allowed to give multiple answers.

Certain dishes are perennial favorites for visitors to Korea, but what are the Korean dishes that are perceived as being reserved for adventurous eaters? Do they overlap with any all-time favorites, or are they in a category all their own?

This infographic has been produced on the basis of the results of the Korea Tourism Organization’s November 2018 survey of the Korean dishes most challenging for foreigners and the Seoul Tourism Organization’s 2018 survey of the most delicious Korean food for foreign tourists in Seoul.

HansikCultureTourismBulgogi