Non Spicy Korean Foods

Don’t like spicy food? No worries, I try to avoid them myself!
Even though Korean food is known for being spicy, there are still plenty of dishes on this list that aren’t spicy at all. To help you out, I’ve marked the spicy ones with a 🔥 so you can steer clear if that’s not your thing!

Your list of must-try Korean street foods

Bibimbap

🔥 The spice in Bibimbap comes from the sauce, which is usually served on the side, so you can choose to leave it off if you’d like.

The name bibimbap translates to ‘mixing’ (bibim) and cooked rice (bap), which perfectly sums up this dish. It starts with a base of warm rice topped with an array of vegetables, your choice of meat and a fried egg, all enhanced by Korea’s favourite spicy sauce, Gochujang.

Each ingredient is carefully arranged to form a colourful masterpiece that allows them to all shine. Then, as the name says, you’re encouraged to mix everything together before eating, giving you an ideal blend of flavours and textures in every bite.

Bingsu

Bingsu is a must-try, especially if you’re visiting Seoul during the summer!

You’re likely familiar with shaved ice desserts, but bingsu is a delightful twist compared to the classic snow cone. Instead of using water-based ice, bingsu is made from milk-based ice, giving it a lighter and fluffier texture without the usual crystallized consistency.

Traditionally they’re served topped with sweetened red bean paste (which we absolutely loved!) but you’ll also find endless variations including fresh fruit an tteok (Korean rice cakes).

Chimaek

Forget about KFC; no one does fried chicken quite like the Koreans do.

Chimaek is a beloved tradition in Korea pairing crispy fried chicken (‘chikin’) with refreshing beer (‘maekju’).

The chicken comes seasoned in various flavours, with Yangnyeom (sweet and spicy sauce – skip this one if you’re sticking to non-spicy dishes), Dakgangjeong (soy garlic sauce), and Snow Cheese (sprinkled with powdered cheese) being the most popular choices. Look for the term ‘Banban’ on menus, this means half/half which is perfect if you’re keen to try two different flavours.

The chicken will also typically be served with side dishes; ours came with fries, pickled radishes, and tteok.

As for beer choices, you’ll find a range of both local and international options, but if you’re looking to try a local favourite, Cass beer is sold everywhere throughout the city.

Gogi Gui

Gogi Gui, known worldwide as Korean Barbecue, involves cooking meat (typically beef or pork) on a hot grill at the table, creating a communal dining experience. Raw meat arrives ready for grilling alongside sides like garlic, radish, and lettuce.

Seoul has an abundance of Korean BBQ, ranging from upscale restaurants to more humble, open-air establishments where tables spill out onto the sidewalk. No matter the type of restaurant you choose, opt for one filled with locals, as this will generally be a more authentic atmosphere.

One tip we learned from locals at our restaurant: to fully enjoy the flavours, wrap the grilled meat and sides in the lettuce leaves.

Bindaetteok

Also known as mung bean pancakes, Bindaetteok are savoury treats made from a mung bean batter combined with minced pork, kimchi, vegetables, and seasonings, resulting in a savoury, nutty flavour.

They are pan-fried til golden and crispy, with a slight oiliness that adds to their irresistible crunch on the outside and soft texture inside, making them a true comfort food.

Hotteok

Here’s another pancake – this time, the sweet kind!

Hotteoks are among the most popular Korean street snacks, offering a variety of fillings including savoury options.

The traditional hotteok is filled with a warm, gooey blend of brown sugar and nuts, fried to create a crispy outside and a chewy centre. While we visited Seoul during summer, I can imagine they taste even more comforting in the colder months.

Tip: They’re best enjoyed when they’re hot (cold hotteoks are frowned upon!)

Tteokbokki

🔥 Traditional Tteokbokki is pretty spicy, but I’ve included a non-spicy option in this section for you to look for.

If you search for ‘Korean food’, you’re guaranteed to come across photos of Tteokbokki, thick rice sticks cooked in a rich red broth. Tteok, the chewy rice cakes, are quite bland on their own (being primarily rice), but it’s the sauce that gives the dish it’s flavour.

The Tteokbokki broth is thick combining spicy, sweet and salty flavours. If you’re not accustomed to spicy food, this might not be to your taste—I’m not big on spice myself and found it very very spicy.

You’ll also encounter a variety of additional ingredients such as scallions, boiled eggs, and eomuk (fish cakes that taste similar to crab sticks).

For those who prefer milder flavours, there’s a non-spicy version known as Gungjung-tteokbokki, or known as ‘Royal Court’ style. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to try this during our trip, but it appears to be similar to a stir-fry with a variety of vegetables and it actually predates the spicy version that is now widely popular.

Sikhye

At first glance, Sikhye resembles water with floating cooked rice, but seeing people drink it as if it were a refreshing lemonade intrigued me enough to give it a try!

Sikhye is a traditional cold punch made from fermented malt and rice. Rather than being fermented enough to become alcoholic, it is instead seen as a drink that promotes digestion.

I find describing its taste a bit challenging, but I’d say it has a subtle sweet and malty flavour that’s surprising refreshing! It turned out to be the perfect drink for the warm, humid night we tried it on.

Gilgeori Toast (Korean Street Toast)

I believe I’ve saved the best for last—out of all the food we tried in Seoul, I myself reminiscing about this meal the most!

Gilgeori Toast, in essence, is a toasted sandwich, but that description hardly does it justice. It starts with thick slices of bread toasted in butter until they’re golden brown and crispy. Inside, you’ll find a hearty omelette-style egg, cheese, ham or bacon, topped off with a generous serving of mayonnaise.

While traditionally purchased from street vendors, their numbers have slowly dwindled, party due to hygiene concerns. Nowadays however, you’ll find stores specialising in Gilgeori Toast. After doing some research we opted for Eggdrop, a chain with locations throughout Seoul offering a variety of filling options.

Feature Image courtesy of  Matt Rogers