From $3,217 Was $3,785
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
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.
Highlights
- 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.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1736
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private Vehicle,Train,Public Bus,Metro,Taxi
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: CJZK
Starts: Seoul , Korea, Republic Of
Finishes: Seoul , Korea, Republic Of
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (5), Dinner (5)Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights),Hanok (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $3,217 ($402 /day)
Itinerary
Annyeonghaseyo! Welcome to Seoul, South Korea's capital known for its high-tech gadgetry, towering skyscrapers and great food. Your adventure officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 4 pm today, where you'll meet your leader and fellow travellers. With the formalities out of the way, it’s time to dive into South Korea’s food scene! Get your bearings with a leader-led orientation walk, where you’ll stop at a local supermarket to get a broader view of the food habits of modern Koreans. Here, you’ll get an insight into the everyday life culture, and your leader will pick up some popular local snacks for the group to enjoy. Then, hop on the subway and make your way to dinner – Korean Fried Chicken and beer, a popular pairing known as ‘chimaek’. Then head to the Gwangjang Market for an introduction to the sights, smells and, of course, tastes of South Korean street food. Go deep into the market – which you might recognise from the Netflix series ‘Street Food’ – and follow your leader to the best vendors. If you’re still hungry, you can grab round two at Ikseodong. The streets are lined with cafes, so you’ll have no trouble finding something to satisfy your cravings.
Included Activities:
- Seoul - Korean Fried Chicken & beer Welcome Dinner
- Seoul - Supermarket stop
- Seoul - Gwangjang market and Ikseongdong village visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Take the metro to Seoul Station this morning and set off for Jeonju – a city that’s all about doing things slowly and doing them well, both in food and in life. You'll arrive just in time for lunch at a renowned noodle restaurant that began as a humble food stall but has since become a city icon, thanks to its noodles. In the afternoon, spend some time exploring the historical Hanok Village, wandering cobblestone streets between hundreds of traditional homes and embracing the relaxed pace of the city. Later, learn the art of making kimchi – a signature dish of Korean slow food – during a cooking demonstration. You’ll also learn how to make a kimchi pancake. If you're keen for more authentic food experiences, join your leader for locally brewed, cloudy rice beer called 'makgeolli'. Accompanied by a variety of inventive side dishes, this unique drink is traditionally enjoyed in a ritual manner, served in special brass bowls from the cherished makgeoli kettle.
Included Activities:
- Jeonju - Kimchi Cooking demonstration
- Jeonju - Hanok Village Visit
Accommodation:
- Hanok (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, move from the hanok to a hotel for your second night in Jeonju. You'll have free time to wander the village or visit the historical shrines and palaces – just chat to your leader if you’re unsure where to explore first. From here, travel by bus to Sunchang Gochujang – a village famous for producing gochujang (a traditional red chilli paste). You’ll get to discover how the paste gets made and sample some. Grab lunch at a nearby restaurant and try the banchan – side dishes are a staple on the Korean table. Later, stroll around the base of Mt Gangcheon and maybe work up your appetite by walking a little further to a nearby waterfall. For dinner tonight, you’ll visit the most famous bibimbap restaurant in Jeonju – so famous, in fact, that the bibimbap has been declared an intangible cultural asset!
Included Activities:
- Sunchang - Gochujang (traditional chilli paste) Cooking Demonstration
- Sunchang - Mount Gangcheon Hike
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning you'll have the opportunity to start your day with kongnamul gukbap (a hot soup of soybean and sprouts) before heading to Gyeongju. When you arrive, tuck into soondubu for lunch (a famous spicy stew with soft tofu) before watching a martial arts demonstration. Life is all about the journey, not the destination, so on the way to the demonstration, stop off at a statue that’s been standing for over 1500 years among ancient temples. After the ground fighting display, learn about Buddhism and meditation routines as you sip tea with a monk at Gyeongju temple. Tucked away among the trees outside Gyeongju city, the temple is the perfect spot to recharge. Feeling at peace, you’ll be ready to drive to your new location for the next two days – bustling and beachy Busan.
Included Activities:
- Gyeongju - Temple Day Visit program including meditation / & tea or martial arts
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Since Busan is famous for its beaches, start your day by visiting the most famous one – Haeundae Beach. Admire the contrast of the white sand with the distant skyscrapers before travelling on to Haedong Temple, built into the rocks by the sea. You’ll get a bit more hands on with your food today at a cooking class, where you’ll prepare dishes to enjoy for lunch. The afternoon is yours to explore – maybe go sightseeing from a yacht, unwind at a Jjimjilbang (South Korean sauna) or catch a baseball game at Sajik Baseball Stadium. Regroup at dinner for a feast of Korean-style lamb stewers. As well as the tasty marinade with a mix of Korean spices, these skewers have a self-rotation mechanism. A specialised grill allows the skewers to rotate automatically, ensuring the meat is perfectly cooked – yum!
Included Activities:
- Busan - Haeundae Beach
- Busan - Haedong Temple
Optional Activities:
- Busan - Jjimjilbang (traditional Korean sauna) in Spa land Centum City - from 20,000 to 25,000 KRW (20000 KRW)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Soak up some free time in Busan this morning, then later, visit Jagalchi Market – an enormous seafood market by the port. Head to a restaurant overlooking the ocean for a clam bake with a view. Did you know that Busan has more than 100 lighthouses? See one up close on an optional walk after dinner. Or you can walk around the colourful Gamcheon village, where you can pick up a postcard or a handmade souvenir. Maybe wrap up your day with noraebang – also known as karaoke. Luckily for those who lean more towards shy than showstopping, karaoke in Korea is often in private rooms with just your friends and family – so sing like no-one's listening!
Included Activities:
- Busan - Lighthouse Visit
- Busan - Jagalchi Seafood Market Tour
- Busan - Seafood BBQ by the sea
- Busan - Home-cooked meal with a local family
Optional Activities:
- Busan - Visit to Gamcheon Village - free ( bus to get there 1,300 to 1,500 KRW for a single trip) (1300 KRW)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast at the hotel, travel by Korea Train Express back to Seoul where you'll have a free afternoon to see new parts of the city. Perhaps wander around Gyeongbok Palace, see the views from Namsan Tower or check out Seoul’s most eclectic neighbourhoods – Sinsadong and Gangnam. For your final meal, make your way to the youthful district of Hongdae for an authentic Korean BBQ experience and celebrate your time together as a group.
Included Activities:
- Seoul - Celebratory Korean BBQ Dinner
Optional Activities:
- Seoul - Nanta Live cooking show (50000 KRW)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your South Korea food adventure comes to an end this morning. If you wish to extend your stay and explore more of Seoul, contact your booking agent ahead of time.
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Kyle - Traveled, March 2024
Fantastic experience, a great way to be see South Korea in ways you would not plan normally. There was a good amount of walking and stairs but never too much, the monastery stay was not my cup of tea personally and the morning meditation was not what I expected since it was no different to the evening session, still a great and unique experience nonetheless. If you get a chance to travel with Dennis you are in for a treat!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/04/2024
Wai-Kuen - Traveled, March 2024
I definitely learned more about the Korean and their rich culture. It was fun to sample Korean food and see the sights.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/31/2024
Lesley - Traveled, March 2024
This trip is excellent - a great mix of food, culture, and activities. It’s somewhat rigorous in terms of covering a lot of ground relatively quickly, but I appreciated that we got to see and do so much!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/27/2024
Jessica - Traveled, March 2024
The food tour was an amazing experience and Pam was a great tour guide! She was very organised and introduced us to delicious authentic korean dishes! 10/10!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/24/2024
Sarah - Traveled, March 2024
I had a great time! Pam was an amazing guide. We ate delicious Korean staples (some that have made it to the states, and many new tastes) and tried some adventurous bites.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/24/2024
Elizabeth - Traveled, March 2024
This was a fun and interesting trip. We tried all different types of local foods (lots and lots of food!), mostly at local restaurants, and the itinerary allows you to experience local life and food culture. Be warned - The day in Busan has lots of public transport trips around the city - we all enjoyed it but some may be frustrated by the volume of movement in that day. I recommend you stay a few days before or after the trip in Seoul so you can visit the attractions and / or do some day trips from the city.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/10/2024
Lisa - Traveled, February 2024
Explored and ate our way through beautiful Korea. The activities and scenery is endless!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/26/2024
Kathryn - Traveled, December 2024
Lives up to the name! It was such an adventure exploring South Korea through food. Great guide and well organised. Highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/03/2024
Marissa - Traveled, December 2023
Highly recommend this fantastic foodie tour for a first trip and introduction to South Korea! Our leader Yong was knowledgeable, entertaining and enthusiastic when it came to showing us Korean food, culture and history. The itinerary includes a great mix of traditional and modern experiences within restaurants, night markets, cooking classes, big city life and small village life. So many highlights - from the unique stays sleeping on heated floors at a hanok and a Buddhist temple, to hiking barefoot in the mountains, to learning how to make kimchi and gochujang from the masters...and of course the variety of delicious Korean dishes we tried in each region! You'll never go hungry because there is always so much food to share, and you get to walk it all off before and after each meal. A memorable trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/24/2024
Juliet - Traveled, December 2023
A well planned tour with many delicious meals, cooking classes, a fun and very comfortable stay in a beautiful hanok, and a good variety of cities. Bring good walking shoes as you'll want to walk off your hearty lunch before the even heartier dinner!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Natasha - Traveled, November 2023
This trip was awesome, flavourful and fun experience! Yoon is kind, considerate and fun as your tour guide and cares well for the needs and preferences for the group as a whole - his laid back, friendly attitude cannot disguise his care and handwork for the group's behalf. The transit, transport and accommodation experiences are great and the option for walking and exploring if you desire, very welcome to help digest and burn off some of the sizable calories consumed. The itinerary is well explained and each step of the journey Yoon is able to share the great culture, history and FOOD of South Korea. A great experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2023
Patrick - Traveled, November 2023
This Korean food trip was amazing. Our leader, Yong, was great fun and very knowledgeable. We had an amazing time!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/07/2023
Phillip - Traveled, November 2023
This tour is both perfect as a deep introduction to Korean food or for anyone who already has a passion for it, and dives into regional specialities and some of the best versions of Korean staples. It's amazing to learn how to make kimchi or gochujang from recognised masters of the craft. Yong was an excellent leader for this trip with a boundless passion for the food and culture of Korea. He's very keen to explain everything and went out of his way to accommodate the different needs and tastes of the group.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/04/2023
Nils - Traveled, November 2023
This tour was the perfect introduction to Korea! Great variety of places and foods, and an excellent guide!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/24/2023
Crystal - Traveled, November 2023
This wonderful tour fed both my stomach and my mind, and promoted body well being with the walking. It was an amazing, unforgettable week.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/22/2023
Nancy - Traveled, November 2023
Food was excellent and varied. Tour guide, Sam, was knowledgeable and the best tour guide I have ever had on an organized trip. Caution: for those who don’t like to sleep on hard surfaces Ie: floors, this trip is not for you. If you can handle hard floors, this trip is the best!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/22/2023
Gaylene - Traveled, November 2023
Intrepid is the only way to travel for a full cultural experience. Always feel safe and acc. Is clean.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/22/2023
Gemma - Traveled, November 2023
This foodie tour of South Korea was excellent. Be prepared you will eat a lot. It was so good to try different things that you do not get usually from more western cultures. Alice the tour leader was fantastic and extremely helpful throughout the tour. The Monastery stay was extremely basic as expected but a valuable experience to remember. I wish I could do it all again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2023
Nicholas - Traveled, November 2023
A wonderful introduction to Korean food (lots of it), history, and culture. Highly recommend this trip to anyone thinking about visiting South Korea especially for the first time. Alice our leader was fantastic and enthusiastic
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2023
Edwina - Traveled, November 2023
A great trip if you want to get an authentic feel for South Korea. Great for foodies who are willing to push the boundaries. Our tour guide Ryan was extremely gracious and kind allowing us to really enjoy exploring South Korea. Allergy friendly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/11/2023
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