Korea Tourism 2025: Discovering cultural tourist destinations and traditional cuisine of the kimchi land (Part 2)

Korean cuisine is more than just food – it is a part of culture and philosophy. Each dish is prepared in harmony with the five flavors, using seasonal ingredients and often has a meaning of feng shui or health. Here are the traditional dishes you should try when traveling to Korea in 2025.

2. Traditional Korean Cuisine – Flavors that carry the national soul

When it comes to traditional Korean cuisine , one cannot help but mention the harmony between color, flavor and nutritional factors. Some famous Korean dishes you must try on your journey to explore the cultural and traditional culinary destinations of the kimchi land this year:

2.1. Kimchi – Symbol of Korean culture

Kimchi – The soul of every meal. (Photo: Collected)

Made from fermented cabbage with chili, garlic, ginger, onions and many spices, kimchi is a dish that appears in almost every Korean meal. Depending on the region, kimchi has differences in spiciness, saltiness or added salted seafood.

You can join a kimchi making class at a cultural center in Seoul or Jeonju - a unique and memorable experience on your 2025 Korea tour to explore the traditional cultural and culinary tourist destinations of the kimchi land.

2.2. Bibimbap – Colorful mixed rice

Bibimbap – Rice mixed with vegetables and meat, beautiful and nutritious. (Photo: Collected)

Bibimbap is a rice dish mixed with vegetables, stir-fried beef, eggs, and Gochujang chili paste. This dish is not only nutritious but also carries the philosophy of yin and yang, balancing the body. Bibimbap in Jeonju is the most famous for its eye-catching presentation and rich flavor.

2.3. Samgyetang – Nutritious ginseng chicken stew

Samgyetang – An indispensable nutritious dish on hot summer days. (Photo: Collected)

Ginseng chicken stew is a perfect combination of cuisine and traditional medicine. A young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, jujubes, chestnuts, and ginseng is stewed for many hours, creating a nutritious dish, often eaten in the summer to “conquer the heat with heat”.

2.4. Bulgogi and Japchae – Delicate, rich

Bulgogi – Sweet marinated beef, grilled fragrantly. (Photo: Collected)

Bulgogi is a sweet marinated beef dish, grilled over charcoal or pan-fried, served with raw vegetables and dipping sauce. Meanwhile, Japchae is stir-fried vermicelli with vegetables and beef, both chewy and fragrant, especially often served during holidays or ancestor worship.

2.5. Tteokbokki – Street food not to be missed

Tteokbokki – Famous spicy rice cake on the street. (Photo: Collected)

If you wander around a Korean night market , you will surely come across pots of bright red Tteokbokki – soft and spicy rice cakes, served with fish cakes and boiled eggs. The spicy and slightly sweet taste makes this dish addictive to both Koreans and international tourists.

3. Ideal time to travel to Korea 2025

Unlike the hot and humid climate of Vietnam, June and July in Korea bring a much more pleasant atmosphere, with an average temperature of 20-27 degrees Celsius. (Photo: Collected)

• March–May: Spring with brilliant cherry blossoms and cool weather.
• June-August: Suitable for Vietnamese tourists to travel to Korea to escape the summer heat.
• September–November: Romantic autumn, suitable for walking tours of palaces and fortresses.
• Major cultural festivals: October – Hanbok Festival, Gyeongju Cultural Festival...

4. Suggested 5-day itinerary for cultural and historical tourism in Korea

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a leading tourist and cultural destination in Korea. (Photo: NEXENE)

• Day 1: Gyeongbokgung – Bukchon Hanok – Insadong Street
• Day 2: Korean Folk Village – Enjoy Traditional Cuisine
• Day 3: Travel to Gyeongju – Visit Bulguksa Temple
• Day 4: Cheomseongdae Observatory – Tumuli Park
• Day 5: Hwaseong Fortress (Suwon) – Shopping in Myeongdong

Traveling to Korea in 2025 is an ideal opportunity to explore the traditional beauty of the land of kimchi. If Korean cultural tourist destinations help you connect with history, traditional Korean cuisine such as kimchi, bibimbap or samgyetang will bring you closer to the soul of the land of kimchi. Don't forget to save the article and share it with those who are planning to go to Korea! If you need a detailed itinerary, a list of delicious places to eat - beautiful photos, or instructions on applying for a Korean visa , Vietravel is ready to support you right away!

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/du-lich-han-quoc-2025-dia-diem-du-lich-van-hoa-am-thuc-truyen-thong-v17282.aspx