This is the first of two posts on Korean food. The second is here.
Incheon International Airport, the gateway to Seoul, South Korea, offers a delightful introduction to Korean food for arriving travelers.
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Incheon International, Terminal 2
During my last visit, I (Chris) found myself at Incheon Terminal 2 perusing the food court menus, in anticipation of my dining opportunities in Seoul. Having previously enjoyed many Korean meals primarily at restaurants within Korean enclaves in the United States, I was particularly interested in trying the same dishes in the country. The menus showcased a variety of quick and casual meals, providing presumably a brief representation of the local everyday dining experiences. The photographed dishes were not only aesthetically pleasing but also helpfully presented in four languages: Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. However, the pre-pandemic prices listed on the menus are likely outdated.
There are more than 80 dishes presented below. To read the finer text in the photos, click the image to enlarge.
Soondubu
- comfort food for many Asians, especially sought after a long haul flight.
Jjambong
- all Chinese-Korean noodles, including seafood soup noodles as well as the ever-popular noodle in black bean sauce – Jajangmyeon
Jjigae
- Stews and rice, this is where the long Korean metal spoon comes in handy.
Budae Jjigae
- Budae Jjigae aka army stew, is basically sausages and assorted meats cooked in a spicy kimchi sauce. No cooking skill is required. It is popular with soldiers (all Korean men 18-35 must perform compulsory military service), and now it is widely eaten outside South Korea.
Galbi & Tang
- BBQ beef short ribs (item 2) is also commonly eaten with buckwheat noodles (item 8 & 9), but my interest is really in the various soups with rice (items 4 to 7).
Bibimbap
- Bibimbap, possibly due to its pronunciation, is the most recognized Korean dish outside of Korea.
I noted that the photographs of different menu items, for example the various stews, did not commendably all look identical, despite using the ubiquitous kimchi with its vibrant orange color. Although the menus presented a mouthwatering array of choices, due to time constraint, I was not able to eat there. But I was sure that many travelers enjoyed a good meal at these establishments. I also applauded the airport for offering arriving travelers a very informative overview of Korean casual dining options.
More noodles… I am less familiar with these bowls but some items are rather generic (except those with sea snails, item 7).
Pajeon & Street food
- savory pancakes, along with popular street food items such as gimbap (addictive? as described in the menu) and skewered rice cakes and fish cakes.
If you are curious, take a look at the airport’s web site on its dining options.
Our next post is about a Korean restaurant we found in an unexpected place. Stay tuned.