When exploring authentic Korean food locals eat, most people think of barbecue, bibimbap, or spicy tteokbokki. These dishes appear in dramas and social media, but the real daily meals Koreans enjoy go far beyond these popular foods. Discovering authentic Korean food locals eat reveals surprising, rich flavors often unknown to tourists.
Jokbal (족발) – Braised Pig’s Feet
Jokbal may look intimidating at first, but many Koreans love it. The chef simmers pig’s feet slowly with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until the meat becomes tender and flavorful. People usually wrap it in lettuce leaves with kimchi and spicy ssamjang sauce. It is a popular dish to share with friends or coworkers, often accompanied by soju.
Haejangguk (해장국) – “Hangover Soup”
Haejangguk is known as the “hangover cure soup.” It is a steaming hot soup made with beef bones, cabbage, fermented soybean paste, and sometimes coagulated blood or organ meat. Many Koreans eat it after a night of drinking. The soup tastes rich and salty. For tourists, the flavors and ingredients might be unusual but worth trying.
Sundae (순대) – Korean Blood Sausage
Despite its name, sundae is not ice cream! It is a popular street food made from pig or cow intestines filled with glass noodles, blood, and spices. Vendors slice it into pieces and serve it with salt or chili powder. Locals love eating sundae at markets or in special restaurants called sundaegukjip.
Jeon (전) – Savory Korean Pancakes
Jeon are savory fritters made with flour, eggs, and all sorts of fillings: kimchi, seafood, chives, zucchini, beef, and more. They’re everyday comfort food, often shared with family or friends and paired with makgeolli (Korean rice wine). Crispy, simple, and social—yet rarely highlighted in tourist guides.
Banchan (반찬) – The Unsung Heroes of Korean Meals
The true stars of Korean dining are banchan—small side dishes served in abundance. Seaweed salad, lotus root, sweet soy beans, glazed potatoes, marinated eggs, fermented tofu—you name it. Each household, region, or restaurant has its own unique recipes. These mini-dishes showcase the depth and variety of home-style Korean cuisine, far beyond what K-dramas portray.
Why Try These Dishes?
Because this is the real face of Korean food. Beyond the trends and TV tropes lies a bold, soulful, and generous culinary tradition. And nothing brings you closer to the locals than sharing a meal centered around something unexpected.