Culinary Journey of South Korea

Korean food of today & many of the customs stem from royal cuisine – the presentation of food is always carefully considered as is the temperature, texture, colour & level of spiciness.

KOREAN CUISINE

Korean cuisine is more than just barbeque beef & kimchi, there is an amazing diversity of cuisine often spicy from street snacks to wonderfully elaborate banquets.  Situated between China & Japan, Korean cuisine is a wonderful combination of both whilst still incorporating its own distinctive characteristics. Steaming hot pots, spicy Kim chi, potato pancakes and the like are all foods to warm the souls during cold harsh winters.

Chinese, Japanese & American foods have all influenced Korean cuisine. A traditional meal in Korea will consist of seafood, fish or meat served with rice, soup, various dipping sauces and cold dishes. Koreans love do-it-yourself barbeque restaurants with a grill set up on the table. Korean street food is a delight with snacks both sweet & savoury.

Whilst fermentation is hugely popular all over the world now, preservation has a defining characteristic of Korean food with fermented vegetables and kimchi. Three sauces play a big part in Korean cuisine: doenjang(fermented soybean paste), ganjang (soy sauce) & gochujang (hot red pepper paste.)

DRINKS OF SOUTH KOREA

Koreans love socialising & bar-hopping. Soju is very popular & strong, a rice-based distilled alcohol, similar to vodka. Makgeolli is an unrefined, fermented rice wine – that is lower in alcohol content than soju. Beer & whisky is also popular, the craft beer scene in South Korea has exploded over the past few years and in this tour, you’ll visit one of the best breweries – Nomadic!

Traditional sweet spirits include insamju made from ginseng, bokbunjaju made from wild raspberries, maesilju from green plums & meoruju from wild fruit. For alcohol free drinks, Soothing traditional teas & herbal infusions are a staple in Korea – the most common being nokcha (green tea).

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the vibrant capital of Seoul whilst at the cutting edge of technology & fashion, is still a deeply traditional city with temples & grand palaces. This is a city that comes alive at night, with its incredible food scene, dazzling neon lights, quirky karaoke bars &  a thriving café scene.

 Experience Baekyangsa Temple for a fascinating and immersive introduction to temple life including an overnight temple stay complete with morning service, meditation & traditional monastic breakfast.

Head to Gwangju, known as Kimchi town where you’ll learn to make kimch. Iin Danmyang you’ll experience a Hangwa making class – Hangwa is a traditional Korean confectionary made from flour combined with honey, sugar, or taffy. Visit Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, before arriving in Jeonju, a charming city that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Travel further to Busan, South Korea’s second largest city is framed by electric blue oceans, lush mountains and mouth-watering cuisine, it’s a city bursting with surprises and a chilled vibe. Visit Bupyeong Market & the Jagalchi Fish Markets for some of the freshest seafood you have tasted. 

Back in Seoul, cooking classes & temple food await – enjoy Balwoo Gongyang temple food restaurant. The only restaurant to be directly run by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddism, Balwoo Gongyang is a Michelin starred restaurant serving authentic temple cuisine. Serving authentic temple food made with traditional recipes passed down through temples. Travel to the DMZ zone, before farewell dinner at Samcheonggak Restaurant, a traditional Korean restaurant and cultural space. Stylish and classy, Samcheonggak specialises in hanjeongsik (Korean table d’hote) and royal cuisine. 

Small Group Tour of no more than 8 people

Seoul – Mt Naejangsan National Park – Gwangju – Damyang – Jeonju – Busan -Seoul – DMZ – Seoul

10 days/ 9 nights

• 1 night accommodation in Seoul – L7 Myeongdong or similiar
• 1 night accommodation in Mt Naejangsan National Park – Baekyangsa Temple Stay
• 1 night accommodation in Gwangju – Gwangju Holiday Inn Hotel or similiar
• 1 night accommodation in Jeonju – Joenju Ramada Hotel or similiar
• 2 nights accommodation in Busan – Crown Harbor Hotel or similiar
• 3 nights accommodation in L7 Myeongdong or similiar
• Breakfast daily at hotels
• Many lunches and dinners included at specially selected restaurants and culinary experiences
• All private transfers 
• All Activities included as per itinerary
• Entrance fees
• Sightseeing and touring with a local English speaking guide 

Contact Journeys Rediscovered for pricing to suit your preferred departure as a private itinerary or to REGISTER your spot on our 2022 or 2023 Small Group Journeys.

Boutique accommodation twin share. Single Supplements available.