
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Incheon, Korea, South
1. Japchae (Jajangmyeon Kingonguk)
Stir-fried glass noodles with assorted vegetables and meat, popular in Korean Chinese cuisine. Try it at Jajangmyeon Kingonguk in Bupyeong-gu.
- Unique Sauce: Thick black bean sauce sets this dish apart.
- Versatile Ingredients: Japchae can be made with various vegetables and meats.
- Historic Restaurant: Jajangmyeon Kingonguk is one of the oldest restaurants in Incheon.
2. Gukje-ibap (Dongjinpo Galbitang)
Traditional beef rib soup from Jeju Island. Visit Dongjinpo Galbitang in Namdong-gu for a taste.
- Tender Beef: The beef is slow-cooked to perfection.
- Health Benefits: Galbitang is believed to have medicinal properties.
- Authentic Experience: Dongjinpo Galbitang offers a traditional and authentic ambiance.
3. Dwaeji-galbi (Gyeyang's Pork Ribs)
Grilled pork ribs marinated in a mix of garlic, honey, and soy sauce. Visit Gyeyang for its famous Dwaeji-galbi.
- Tasty Marinade: The sweet and savory marinade is a standout feature.
- Fresh Ingredients: Gyeyang uses locally-sourced pork ribs.
- Cultural Atmosphere: Dining in Gyeyang offers a glimpse into the traditional Korean lifestyle.
4. Tteokbokki (Tong-in Tteokbokki)
Spicy rice cakes in a sweet and savory sauce. Try the original Tteokbokki at Tong-in Tteokbokki in Jung-gu.
- Unique Sauce: Tong-in's signature sauce is a closely-guarded secret.
- Spiciness Level: Adjust the spiciness level to your preference.
- Historic Location: Tong-in Tteokbokki is located in Incheon's historical district.
5. Hwachae (Wolmido Hwachae)
Fruit punch made with persimmons, grapes, and barley. Enjoy it on Wolmido Island.
- Seasonal Fruits: Hwachae is best enjoyed during the autumn season.
- Fresh and Refreshing: A perfect drink to cool down on a hot day.
- Scenic Views: Wolmido Hwachae offers beautiful views of the sea and Wolmido Island.
6. Bibimbap (Incheon Bibimbap Museum)
Mixed rice bowl with vegetables, meat, and a fried egg. Visit the Incheon Bibimbap Museum for a fun and interactive experience.
- Customizable: Choose your preferred ingredients.
- Interactive Experience: Learn about the history and origin of bibimbap at the museum.
- Traditional Setting: The museum recreates a traditional Korean hanok house setting.
7. Dakgangjeong (Ganghwado Gajok Dakgangjeong)
Crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. Visit Ganghwado for its famous Gajok Dakgangjeong.
- Unique Coating: The crispy layer is made with flour, potato starch, and cornflour.
- Spicy Variation: Try the spicy version for an extra kick.
- Scenic Location: Ganghwado offers stunning views of the ocean and Ganghwa Island.
8. Naengmyeon (Yeonsunggyo Naengmyeon)
Cold buckwheat noodles served in a beef or chicken broth. Try the original Yeonsunggyo Naengmyeon in Songdo-dong.
- Refreshing: Ideal for cooling down during hot summer days.
- Thick Noodles: The chewy texture of the noodles is a unique feature.
- Historic Location: Yeonsunggyo Naengmyeon has been serving this dish since 1956.
9. Ssiat hotteok (Munhak-dong Ssiat Hotteok)
Fried pancake filled with sweet red bean paste. Visit Munhak-dong for its famous Ssiat Hotteok.
- Unique Shape: The distinctive square shape sets it apart.
- Sweet and Savory: A perfect balance of sweet red bean paste and savory dough.
- Historic Location: Munhak-dong is the birthplace of this famous street food.
10. Seafood Jeon (Jinan Landing Seafood Pancake)
Savory pancake made with a variety of fresh seafood. Visit Jinan Landing for its famous Seafood Jeon.
- Fresh Ingredients: Jinan Landing uses only the freshest seafood.
- Versatile Seafood Options: Choose from various seafood options to suit your preference.
- Scenic Location: Jinan Landing offers a beautiful view of the sea and the surrounding islands.
11. Chueotang (Gansung Chueotang)
Spicy clam soup made with various vegetables. Visit Gansung for its famous Chueotang.
- Unique Ingredients: The soup is made with fresh clams and seaweed.
- Spiciness Level: Adjust the spiciness level to your preference.
- Scenic Location: Gansung offers stunning views of the ocean and Ganghwa Island.
12. Kkakdugi (Gyeyang's Daikon Radish Kimchi)
Traditional white radish kimchi. Visit Gyeyang for its famous Kkakdugi.
- Unique Ingredient: The use of daikon radish sets it apart.
- Fermented Flavor: The fermented flavor is a hallmark of traditional Korean cuisine.
- Cultural Atmosphere: Dining in Gyeyang offers a glimpse into the traditional Korean lifestyle.
13. Samgyetang (Incheon's Samgyetang Museum)
Chicken soup with ginseng and glutinous rice. Visit the Incheon Samgyetang Museum for a unique experience.
- Health Benefits: Samgyetang is believed to have healing properties.
- Interactive Experience: Learn about the history and origin of samgyetang at the museum.
- Traditional Setting: The museum recreates a traditional Korean hanok house setting.
14. Bungeo-ppang (Incheon Fish Cake Bread)
Fish-shaped bread filled with red bean paste. Enjoy it at Incheon's coastal areas.
- Unique Shape: The fish shape is a nod to the region's fishing industry.
- Sweet and Savory: A perfect balance of sweet red bean paste and savory bread.
- Scenic Location: Enjoy the bread while taking in the beautiful sea views.
15. Hwajeon (Jung-gu's Hwajeon)
Lotus leaf-wrapped rice cake filled with vegetables and meat. Try it at Jung-gu's traditional markets.
- Unique Wrapping: The use of lotus leaves adds a unique touch.
- Fresh Ingredients: Jung-gu's markets offer fresh and high-quality ingredients.
- Historic Location: Traditional markets in Jung-gu have been serving the community for centuries.