The Hungry Tourist is

delighted to present:

The Very Best Korean Food

with Anica Kim

Aug 23 – 28, 2023

Anica (@kimanica) is an avid traveler and foodie. Having grown up in New York to Korean parents, she developed a love for different cuisines at a young age. Having lived in New York, Kyoto, London, Doha, Shanghai, and Seoul, Anica’s love for different cultures has continued to grow as she travels the world in search of delicious food.

Anica is extremely enthusiastic when it comes to sharing Korean food and is always making arrangements for international chefs and foodies visiting Korea.

She has traveled to all continents in search of culinary experiences and expanded her network internationally. She has contributed to Travel+Leisure and Silkroad (Cathay Dragon’s inflight magazine).

In her free time, she loves to write, roam art galleries and visit neighborhood cafes.

Day 1 – Wednesday, August 23

Joo Ok in Seoul, South Korea, embodies Chef Shin Chang-ho’s philosophy of serving dishes as exquisite as precious gems. Each dish is plated to the perfection of Chef’s high standards. 

The restaurant’s combines unique ways to create modern twists on recognized Korean food. Several different flavored house-made vinegars are offered as an aperitif before the meal to open up palates, and the restaurant’s celebrated perilla oil is pressed from perilla seed harvested from the chef’s family farm in Jinju. 

Joo Ok is located inside The Plaza hotel, offering stunning views of Deoksugung palace. At Joo Ok diners are offered a taste of the present and the past from views of palaces and modern skyscrapers to tastes of both traditional and modern Korean food, making it a must-visit restaurant in the city.

Fried chicken and beer is a popular combination and a beloved staple for Koreans of all ages. Also known as “chimaek” (‘Chi’ from Chicken and ‘Maek’ from the Korean for beer ‘Maekju’) has been made popular by being featured in Korean dramas and TV shows.

There are restaurants dedicated to different types of fried chicken flavored with soy sauce, garlic, cheese, garlic and much more. Hyodo Chicken was developed by Chef Mingoo Kang of Mingles and Chef Chang Ho Shin of Joo Ok, offering fried chicken and beer with Korean ingredients and flavors.

Although very casual, enjoying fried beer with and ice cold beer is a great authentic and casual dining experience.

Day 2 – Thursday, August 24

A tour of Gwangjang Market in Seoul is a feast for the senses, especially when it comes to sampling the local cuisine.

We’ll indulge in delicious traditional Korean dishes like noodles and dumplings, similar to those featured on Netflix. Raw octopus and yukhoe, a Korean beef tartare, are also popular and must-try items. 

The market offers a lively and colorful atmosphere, with bustling stalls selling everything from clothing to handicrafts. A Gwangjang Market tour provides an excellent opportunity to explore the diverse food culture of Seoul and taste some of the city’s most iconic dishes.

Day 3 – Friday, August 25

A visit to Woojeong for a bowl of their famous beef soup is a must-have experience. The restaurant name comes from Woo (Cow) and Jeong (Proper/fitting), to “properly showcase different ways to enjoy the entire cow.”

The word “woojeong” is also the pronunciation of the Korean word for friendship. Beef is used in various ways to create warm and welcoming flavors. Enjoy the hearty and flavorful stew that features beef tongue, offal and vegetables such as shitake mushrooms and spring onion, cooked in a savory broth. Woojeong also offers a spicy soup for diners who can handle the heat! Food is served ‘family style’ everyone is welcome to dig in and savor traditional Korean dishes with friends and family!

7th Door is a one Michelin star restaurant in Seoul that offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience. Chef Dan Kim’s modern Korean preparations embody the culinary direction he wishes to pursue. The menu showcases his skillful use of fermentation and aging, which are essential attributes of Korean gastronomy. Diners can enjoy different ingredients and condiments that were prepared before the restaurant even opened its doors.  

Chef Kim’s attention to detail and expertise in preparing ingredients is evident in every dish. The 7th Door symbolizes a gastronomic entrance to “the seven tastes of food,” which includes the five basic tastes, the taste of fermentation and aging, and the chef’s culinary sensibility.

The restaurant’s intimate atmosphere and exceptional service make for a truly special dining experience that is sure to impress any food enthusiast.

Day 4 – saturday, August 26

At Doo-uh Mari a charcoal-grilled saltwater eel lunch is a must-try dish. The eel is grilled to perfection over charcoal, resulting in a crispy and smoky exterior and a tender and flavorful interior.

The eel is served with a side of rice and a variety of banchan (side dishes), such as pickled vegetables and kimchi. The raw eel can be wrapped in seaweed and perilla and the eel stew is a spicy and hearty broth made with the bones of the eel. The restaurant’s cozy and traditional atmosphere adds to the overall dining experience, making it a popular spot among locals.

Mingles, the elegant Korean restaurant in Seoul’s Cheongdam-dong district, boasts two Michelin stars thanks to Chef Mingoo Kang’s seasonally-driven and innovative cuisine.

Kang’s dishes showcase his deep respect for Korean culinary traditions while incorporating inspiration from his experiences overseas. The tasting menu includes signature main courses enhanced by traditional Korean fermented sauces and vinegars.

Mingles offers both wine and traditional Korean alcohol pairings to enjoy along with the perfectly prepared dishes.

A late-night in Seoul is not complete without a hearty bowl of spicy offal soup and a glass of Soju.

This traditional Korean dish features pork intestine, beef or pork tripe, beef brisket, and Udon noodles cooked in a spicy broth. Diners can enjoy the savory flavors of this comforting dish as they sip on the popular rice-based spirit Soju.

This combination makes for an unforgettable dining experience that truly embodies the vibrant culinary culture of South Korea.

Day 5 – sunday, August 27

For a traditional taste of Seoul, nothing quite beats the classic combination of Chicken Jinseng soup, ‘Samgaetang’.

The signature Chicken Jinseng soup is a nutritious blend of chicken, ginseng root, dates, and mung beans cooked in an intense broth. Smaller chickens are stuffed with glutinous rice and served as a whole. 

Samgaetang is a dish known to be nutritious and to help fight the heat. Korean’s have a saying to fight heat with heat so this hot soup is enjoyed by many during the hot summer season. Enjoy this delicious pairing for an unforgettable lunch experience that will leave you wanting more.

A dinner of pork belly BBQ at Gold Pig in Seoul, is a unique and delicious culinary experience. Gold Pig is known for its high-quality meat which comes from Jeju Island, south of the Korean peninsula.

Pork belly is grilled to perfection and is enjoyed with different sauces made from Korean condiments. Diners can enjoy ‘ssam’ which is meat wrapped in different vegetables and sauces. Meat is accompanied by various side dishes, including pickled vegetables and rice, to complement the rich taste of the meat.

Gold Pig’s famed Kimchi stew (kimchi jiggae) is also a must to try after the grilled meat. The lively atmosphere and attentive service make for a memorable dining experience that is sure to satisfy any BBQ lover’s cravings.

Enjoying cocktails at Alice or Le Chamber bars in Seoul, South Korea is a delightful experience that will tantalize the senses. Both bars offer a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a long day.

The mixologists at these bars are skilled at creating unique and innovative cocktails, using fresh and high-quality ingredients. The menu features a wide range of classic and modern cocktails, as well as seasonal and limited-time specials.

Guests can enjoy their drinks in a cozy and intimate setting, often accompanied by live music or other entertainment. Overall, a visit to Alice or Le Chamber bars is a must-do for anyone seeking an unforgettable and refined drinking experience in Seoul.

Day 6 – monday, August 27

Born and Bred is a restaurant, butcher shop, and meat supplier, all rolled into one. Founded by Sang-won Jung, it is located in the Majang Meat Market and offers three different dining concepts: a casual eatery, private dining BBQ and a multi-course beef experience in its Speakeasy. 

The basement is where the specialty beef course can be found. Diners are offered various cuts of the very best Hanwoo, served in different wawys. The stylish and modern restaurant is the brainchild of Sang, whose obsession with top-quality Korean beef started young, thanks to his beef purveyor father, hence the name of the restaurant “Born & Bred” indicating that Sang grew up in the very place the restaurant is located. 

Born and Bred is known for serving the best cuts of Hanwoo, a Korean breed of cow. The restaurant offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience, with generous portions of top-quality beef and an engaging and personable chef.

STYLISH ELEGANCE IN THE VERY HEART OF SEOUL

Ringed by verdant mountains and dotted with grand, historic palaces and modern, glass-and-steel structures, Seoul is a dynamic capital city that is both deeply traditional and forward-thinking. Simply look outside your room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, and you’ll see what we mean.

The contemporary Gwanghwamun Hotel brings the Four Seasons experience to Korea for the first time, inviting you to indulge in complete serenity at our urban Spa, take a dip in our year-round pool or savour Cantonese cuisine at Yu Yuan, before toasting Asia’s city that never sleeps over drinks at Charles H. or our new contemporary bar, OUL.

Check-in: Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Check-out: Monday, August 28, 2023

First meal: Dinner on Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Last meal: lunch on Monday, August 28, 2023


Full timetable of meals and activities will be emailed to participants ahead of the tour.

A Note on Set Menus

The menus offered during the tour are selected by The Hungry Tourist with the help of our local partners. We believe they represent the best culinary fare that Seoul has to offer. Guests may order outside of these menus at their own expense.

Apply to Join The Tour