South Korea Real Food Adventure

8 Days | Slurp, crunch and spoon your way into the belly of South Korea

4.9 out of 5 based on 130 reviews submitted.
Food
From
EUR €2,703
View dates and book

Immerse yourself in the choose-your-own-adventure atmosphere of South Korean food on this eight-day adventure from bibimbap to bustling street markets, where your local leader will guide you to the best stalls. The food scene here is relaxed and welcoming, encouraging you to explore and discover your own favourite flavours. Enjoy dishes loaded with toppings, crispy Korean fried chicken paired with craft beer, silky glass noodles with fresh salads and some delicious variations of kimchi. As you move around the country, you'll also uncover the rich heritage that makes South Korea's culinary scene so special.

Trip overview

Map of South Korea Real Food Adventure including Korea, Republic Of
Start
Seoul, South Korea
Finish
Seoul, South Korea
Theme
Food
Destinations
South Korea
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
CJZK
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Learn how to make everybody’s favourite pickled dish – kimchi, of course – at a cooking demonstration in Jeonju, then try the city’s iconic bibimbap (declared an intangible cultural asset, it’s just that good).
  • Meet the local stall holders in the Gwangang market of Netflix fame and try the best street food that Seoul has to offer. Then, wander the Jagalchi market – a huge seafood wonderland by the Busan port.
  • Experience Busan’s vibrant food scene with a hands-on cooking class, where you'll prepare your own lunch. In the evening, indulge in a Korean-style lamb skewer dinner, featuring a self-rotating grill that ensures perfectly cooked meat.
  • Rub shoulders with the locals in a hanok (traditional home) in Jeonju, then learn about the everyday life of monks during a unique temple experience in Gyeongju.
  • Feast on all the iconic foods of South Korea, including Korean fried chicken, bibimbap, japchae, kimbap, a seafood barbeque and of course, Korean BBQ.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The cuisine of South Korea includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans, we recommend reviewing the itinerary to ensure you can fully enjoy and participate in the trip.
  • South Korea is best explored on foot, and many travelers are surprised by how much walking they do! Be sure your shoes are comfortable and you're ready to spend most of the day on your feet.
  • Pack smart! You’ll need to carry your luggage between train stations and hotels, which can involve multiple flights of stairs. Elevators are available, but lighter luggage will make your journey easier.
  • One night of this trip includes Korean-style floor bedding in a traditional hanok in Jeonju. The futon-like mattress may feel firm compared to Western beds, but heated floors ensure comfort. Extra mattresses are available upon request.
  • During the monastery visit, you'll experience monastic cuisine and rituals. Respecting local culture is key, so you'll be provided with pants and a tunic to wear, and socks must be worn in the temple.
  • The Jeonju Bibimbap Festival (third week of October) and the Seoul Kimchi Festival (first or second week of November) offer unique experiences. If you're interested in attending, please check our departure dates to align with your preferred festival.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of South Korea Real Food Adventure including Korea, Republic Of

Inclusions

Meals

5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Private Vehicle, Train, Public Bus, Metro, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Hanok (1 night)

Activities
  • Seoul - Korean Fried Chicken & beer Welcome Dinner
  • Seoul - Supermarket stop
  • Seoul - Gwangjang market and Ikseongdong village visit
  • Jeonju - Kimchi Cooking demonstration
  • Jeonju - Hanok Village Visit
  • Sunchang - Gochujang (traditional chilli paste) Cooking Demonstration
  • Sunchang - Mount Gangcheon Hike
  • Gyeongju - Temple Day Visit program including meditation / & tea or martial arts
  • Busan - Haeundae Beach
  • Busan - Haedong Temple
  • Busan - Lighthouse Visit
  • Busan - Jagalchi Seafood Market Tour
  • Busan - Seafood BBQ by the sea
  • Busan - Home-cooked meal with a local family
  • Seoul - Celebratory Korean BBQ Dinner
Add on activities
  • Busan - Jjimjilbang (traditional Korean sauna) in Spa land Centum City - from 20,000 to 25,000 KRW - KRW20000
  • Busan - Visit to Gamcheon Village - free ( bus to get there 1,300 to 1,500 KRW for a single trip) - KRW1300
  • Seoul - Nanta Live cooking show - KRW50000

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.
3. Please advise bedding configuration requests to your booking agent at time of booking.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 130 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Alex · Traveled August 2024
Korea was a country that far exceeded my expectations. Led by Peter, the finest guide I have had in my many intrepid trips, I tasted so many new foods and met some new friends along the way.
Review submitted 25 Aug 2024

Marie · Traveled August 2024
I recently returned from the South Korea Real Food Adventure with Intrepid, and I can't speak highly enough of the experience! From start to finish, the trip was an absolute delight, largely thanks to our incredible guides, Peter and Coby. Their knowledge, enthusiasm, and attention to detail truly made this one of the best tours I've ever taken with Intrepid. Peter's leadership was outstanding; he ensured that every aspect of our journey was seamless and enjoyable. He had a perfect balance of keeping us on track while making sure we never felt rushed. His warmth and ability to bring the group together made each day feel like an adventure with friends rather than just a tour group. Coby added an extra layer of depth to the experience with his insights and knowledge. He was always ready with fascinating information about the places we visited and the dishes we tried, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of South Korea's rich culinary culture. Our group was fantastic, and Peter and Coby did an excellent job of fostering a fun and inclusive atmosphere. They even joined us on the nights when dinner wasn't included, offering superb restaurant recommendations that allowed us to experience the best of South Korean cuisine. These evenings were some of the highlights of the trip, filled with laughter, great food, and a genuine sense of camaraderie. The itinerary was beautifully crafted—kudos to the team working behind the scenes! Each day was filled with valuable activities and experiences that showcased the very best of South Korea, yet the pace was relaxed and never felt overwhelming. The balance between guided experiences and free time was just right, allowing us to explore on our own while still feeling well-supported. This was undoubtedly my favourite Intrepid tour to date, and that’s saying something! A huge thank you to Peter, Coby, and the entire Intrepid team for creating such a memorable and enriching adventure. I can't wait for my next journey with Intrepid!
Review submitted 25 Aug 2024

Salima · Traveled June 2024
First trip to South Korea and couldn’t have asked for a better and well rounded itinerary. It is a food tour and food we ate. All the food was amazing and our guide Yong did an excellent job of explaining the customs and traditions of it all. Beef Ssambap and Pebble beach grilled seafood was “chef’s kiss”. I really enjoyed traveling in public transport, Hanok and Temple stay. The hotels in Busan and Seoul could have been better. HIGHLY recommend this tour.
Review submitted 26 Jun 2024

Winnie · Traveled June 2024
This is my first trip to South Korea. The weather was a lot hotter than I expected (35C in June). I enjoyed the small group tour (only 6). It was great to have the experience of using public transport (especially when I don't speak any Korean). The Hanok and Temple stay are unique; I would say they are a must do!
Review submitted 26 Aug 2024

Knut Toennevold · Traveled June 2024
Dennis made the tour very special and was a exelent CEO. It was my first trip with Intrepid, but I have done 12 trips with G-adventures before and this tour has been one of the best one, aspecialy with Dennis as our CEO! It was also very nice to have Marshall in our group because he gave the gruop a very nice dynamic. Dennis and Marshall made a very good team and both of them could answer all our questions.
Review submitted 12 Jun 2024
South Korea Real Food Adventure
From
EUR €2,703