Food & Drink

Most cooking is usually based on the staple food of rice. In the past vegetable dishes were essential, but meat consumption has increased. Western or Russian cooking in restaurants is not good so it's better to try Chinese, Japanese or Korean meals.

Traditional dishes include:

• bibimbap: rice topped with vegetables, beef and egg, and served with a dollop of chili pepper paste
• bulgogi: thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar, green onions and black pepper, cooked on a grill (sometimes at the table)
• gujeolpan: elaborate dish consisting of a number of different vegetables and meats served with thin pancakes. It is served only at special occasions such as weddings
• kimchi: vegetables (usually cabbage, white radish, or cucumber) commonly fermented in a brine of ginger, garlic, green onion and chilli pepper
• sinseollo: Korean style meat and vegetable lasagna

Try the rice wines and insam-ju, Korean vodka infused with ginseng roots.