South Korea’s culinary and cultural landscape is evolving rapidly, making 2025 the perfect time to visit. With the MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan unveiling its latest restaurant selections—including newly awarded stars—and an expanding range of MICHELIN-recommended hotels across the country, South Korea is small yet mighty destination, offering grand experiences.
From Seoul, where history and innovation collide, to Busan, a vibrant coastal escape just under three hours away by train, South Korea offers seamless exploration across its diverse regions.
Whether you're a passionate food lover or seeking an unforgettable cultural experience, here’s why this year is the ideal time to explore it.
1. A Global Culinary Destination that is Blending Tradition and Innovation
Korean cuisine has evolved beyond a niche and established itself as a global culinary force, with MICHELIN-selected Korean restaurants now spanning four continents—Asia, North America, Europe, and South America. No longer confined to its homeland, Korean gastronomy continues to shape international dining trends, reflecting its growing influence on the world stage.
At the same time, Korea remains deeply rooted in its traditions. The knowledge, beliefs, and practices surrounding jang (fermented soybean-based sauces) were recently inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, following Kimjang (the tradition of making and sharing kimchi). This recognition highlights the enduring legacy of Korean fermentation culture, which continues to define and enrich its cuisine.
This year, Mingles, a Korean Contemporary restaurant in the heart of Seoul, has secured its third MICHELIN star, further cementing Korea’s fine dining excellence. Under the leadership of chef Kang Mingoo, Mingles has carved out its own identity by seamlessly blending tradition with innovation, all while maintaining a deep respect for heritage.
Meanwhile, Escondido has made history as the first-ever Mexican restaurant in Asia to earn a MICHELIN star, reflecting the country's evolving and increasingly diverse food scene. The MICHELIN Guide continues to spotlight a dynamic selection of starred restaurants across various categories, including Korean, Mediterranean, Japanese, Chinese, French, and Italian, reinforcing Korea’s position as a premier global dining destination.
2. Myriad of Street Food and Seafood Markets
Korea’s culinary landscape offers more than just starred restaurants. Bustling street food markets and regional food festivals provide an authentic taste of local flavors. These vibrant settings not only make Korean cuisine more accessible but also create a deeper cultural connection, where tradition and everyday life come together in each dish.
In Seoul, Gwangjang Market is a must-visit destination for food lovers, offering a lively atmosphere filled with vibrant stalls serving specialties such as mayak gimbap (bite-sized seaweed rice rolls), crispy bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), and chewy tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). Tucked away in the market’s renowned raw beef alley, Buchon Yukhoe, a Bib Gourmand selection, has been a local staple since 1965. Specializing in Seoul-style yukhoe, the raw beef is delicately seasoned with sesame oil and paired with crisp, matchstick-cut pears, creating a perfect balance of flavor and texture. A must-try is the raw beef bibimbap, where tender yukhoe is layered over warm rice for a deeply satisfying meal. For travelers looking to stay near this historic market, MICHELIN-recommended accommodations such as JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, L7 Myeongdong, The Shilla Seoul, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, and L’Escape Hotel, all of which provide convenient access to the city's bustling culinary scene.
Another popular food hub in the capital is Namdaemun Market, where visitors can savor steaming bowls of kal-guksu (hand-cut noodle soup) and other traditional dishes in a lively setting. Just a two-minute walk from the market, the newly listed Bib Gourmand restaurant Seoryung specializes in buckwheat-based Pyeongyang naengmyeon, aiming to make this classic dish more accessible to a wider audience. For those looking to stay near these vibrant culinary hotspots, MICHELIN-selected hotels such as The Westin Josun Seoul, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, L'Escape Hotel, L7 Myeongdong, and Hotel 28 Myeongdong offer stylish accommodations with convenient access to the city's renowned food scene.
For an authentic taste of Seoul’s seafood culture, Noryangjin Fish Market is a must-visit. Here, travelers can witness the lively auction of fresh seafood and have their selections prepared on the spot in one of the market’s many restaurants. The nearby MICHELIN-approved hotels include Conrad Seoul, GLAD Yeouido offering convenient and stylish stays for those exploring the city’s vibrant culinary scene.
Outside of Seoul, Yukgeori Market in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, is one of the largest traditional markets in Korea, with over 1,200 stores and thousands of daily visitors. The market is known for its fresh produce and local specialties, which visitors can buy directly from producers. Each morning, the Dokkaebi Market opens, where farmers sell their freshly harvested crops straight to customers.
For seafood lovers, Jagalchi Market in Busan, the largest seafood market in South Korea, offers a wide selection of freshly caught fish, shellfish, and sashimi prepared on-site. Visitors can sample grilled eel, sea squirt, and raw octopus, key highlights of Korean seafood culture. For those looking to experience the market’s freshness in a more refined setting, Chef Gon, a MICHELIN-selected restaurant, provides a market-driven dining experience. Located in a nearby alley, this intimate spot is run by a former hotel chef with years of experience. Each morning, he visits Jagalchi Market to handpick the freshest ingredients, shaping a seasonal course menu aptly named the “Jagalchi Chef’s Course Special.” For travelers planning to stay nearby, Fairfield by Marriott Busan Songdo Beach, Park Hyatt Busan, The Westin Josun Busan, Grand Josun Busan, SIGNIEL Busan, and Ananti at Busan Cove offer comfortable accommodations with easy access to Busan’s vibrant seafood scene.
Beyond these markets, regional food festivals showcase Korea’s diverse culinary identity. Events like the Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival, celebrating Korea’s most iconic fermented dish, and the Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, dedicated to the city’s signature rice dish, offer immersive experiences where visitors can taste, learn, and even participate in the preparation of traditional foods.
3. Ingredients and Dishes that Offer Difference Experiences with Each Changing Season
When you visit South Korea, the changing seasons shape not only the landscape but also the flavors on your plate. Korean cuisine is deeply connected to nature’s rhythm, with flavors shifting throughout the year as chefs highlight peak-season ingredients. Whether at a MICHELIN-starred restaurant or a traditional market stall, you’ll experience dishes that capture the essence of each season.
By summer, the spotlight shifts to seasonal seafood. Eel, prized for its firm texture, is expertly grilled and served at Tokyo Babsang and Shunsai Kubo, both located in the coastal city of Busan, offering a perfect balance of umami and smokiness. Meanwhile, naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) at Woo Lae Oak, a Bib Gourmand selection in Seoul, offers a refreshing way to cool down, featuring a signature tangy broth perfected over generations.
In autumn, blue crabs are at their peak, especially from September to December. Both roe-filled females and plump males shine in dishes like ganjang-gejang and yangnyeom-gejang. At Hwa Hae Dang, which means “Flower Crab House,” the specialty is soy sauce-marinated blue crab, prized for its sweet, delicate flesh.
In winter, bold, hearty flavors provide warmth and nourishment. Gomtang (beef bone soup) at Hadongkwan, a Bib Gourmand selection in Seoul that has been serving diners since 1939, is a must-try for its deeply flavorful, slow-simmered broth. Another winter specialty, dwaeji-gukbap (pork and rice soup), is best enjoyed at Namakzip, where this comforting dish embodies the rich, rustic flavors of Korea’s culinary traditions.
4. Unique Festivals and Attractions for All Types of Travelers
South Korea's diverse geography—mountains covering over 70 percent of its terrain and coastlines on three sides—offers everything from bustling urban energy to breathtaking natural landscapes and rich coastal traditions, all easily accessible thanks to its efficient transportation network.
Couples seeking a romantic getaway can visit the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, Korea’s largest cherry blossom event, held in Changwon’s Jinhae District, Gangwon Province from March 29 to April 6, 2025. Just an hour from Busan, where MICHELIN-selected SIGNIEL Busan offers luxury with stunning Haeundae Beach views, Jinhae is easily accessible. Each spring, millions flock to admire 360,000 cherry trees in full bloom, with highlights like Yeojwacheon Stream, known as Romance Bridge, where blossoms reflect on the water, and Gyeonghwa Station, where train tracks form a tunnel of pink petals—creating the perfect setting for unforgettable moments.
For a scenic retreat with friends, Jeju Island’s Canola Flower Festival offers a vibrant alternative to cherry blossom season. Held from March 30 to April 7, 2025, the festival showcases golden-yellow canola fields stretching across the island, set against Jeju’s dramatic volcanic landscapes. The rolling fields of Gasi-ri in Seogwipo provide the perfect backdrop for leisurely strolls and picturesque moments, immersing visitors in the island’s natural beauty. For a luxurious stay, MICHELIN-selected hotels like The Shilla Jeju, Grand Hyatt Jeju, and JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa offer world-class amenities and a serene escape, making Jeju an unforgettable destination.
Adventure enthusiasts will find South Korea a winter wonderland, with top-tier skiing, snowboarding, and seasonal festivals. Pyeongchang—home to the 2018 Winter Olympics—stands out as a premier destination, boasting pristine slopes and excellent conditions. A highlight of the season is the Pyeongchang Trout Festival, usually held from late December to February in Gangwon Province, where visitors can experience ice fishing, catching fresh trout through holes in a frozen river and enjoying their catch prepared on-site. The festival also features snow sledding, ice skating, and traditional winter activities, making it a must-visit for those seeking thrills in the snow. Travelers craving both adventure and luxury can stay at Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort, a MICHELIN-selected hotel, offering elegant accommodations and breathtaking mountain views—the perfect base for experiencing South Korea’s ultimate winter wonderland.
