Top 15 Must-Try Korean Foods at the Expo in Lishui

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Net, Li Xinyi; compiled and reported. Source / Moleskine Editorial Department

Are you planning to attend this edition of the Expo in Korea? Don’t miss out on authentic Korean delicacies such as grilled pork belly, set meals, bibimbap, chicken soup hot pot, Korean sashimi, and barbecue—all of which are simply mouthwatering just to hear about. And one of the advantages of dining in Korea is the unlimited refills of various pickled side dishes, with a wide variety of types and flavors—definitely worth a try!

1. Grilled Pork Belly

Pork belly was once a cheap alternative to expensive beef. It used to be much more affordable. Later, restaurants came up with new methods such as marinating in white liquor and aging with spices, turning this dish into a star on the dining table. The pork sizzles on the stone plate, and when eaten with sesame leaves and lettuce, its richness is balanced—making it hard to stop at just one bite.

2. Korean Set Meal

Korean set meals originated from royal court cuisine, typically featuring 20 to 30 dishes served at once, with no single main dish—each dish plays an important role. Korean set meals embody the essence of Korean cuisine, using steaming, grilling, blanching, and mixing methods to prepare a variety of mountain produce, seafood, and wild vegetables. The selection varies from restaurant to restaurant, ranging from local specialties to luxurious items like beef short ribs and sashimi.

3. Kimchi

Koreans’ love for kimchi is so intense that they feel they can’t go a day without it. No matter the type or class of restaurant, there’s always a bottomless plate of kimchi on the table. The bright red kimchi, seasoned with fish sauce, salted shrimp, and plenty of chili powder, offers a tangy and sweet flavor that teases the taste buds. It pairs well with rice, meat, or even pasta. Most kimchi served in Korean restaurants is homemade, so even though it’s all made with napa cabbage, the flavor varies greatly—some are so spicy they make you sweat, while others lean more toward a sour taste.

4. Bibimbap

Jeonju bibimbap became famous because it was once a tribute dish during the Joseon Dynasty. Even the emperor himself praised it and favored it, making Jeonju naturally recognized as the hometown of bibimbap. The ingredients in bibimbap are simple and light—just bean sprouts, mushrooms, and various wild vegetables. The vegetables and rice are separated by gochujang (Korean chili paste), with a raw egg placed on top of the rice, all served in a large bowl. Later, some restaurants started serving bibimbap in a super-hot stone bowl. Diners mix the rice, vegetables, and chili paste with chopsticks using the high heat of the bowl, then eat it while hot—and that’s how the familiar stone bowl bibimbap came to be.