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KOREAN FOOD TOUR PART 2: GYEONGGI PROVINCE
We continue with our food tour in our next stop, Gyeonggi province!
Gyeonggi province is the most populous province in Korea, with over 13 million people living in its cities and counties. Its name literally means the “area surrounding the capital,” so while it is only fitting to call it that as it is the immediate area around Seoul, there is more to that name than is obvious to the eye. Before the Korean War, its old jurisdiction included Kaeseong which used to be the capital of the old kingdom of Goryeo and is now part of North Korea. Therefore, Gyeonggi province not only surrounds one capital, but it also used to be part of another one. The current capital city of the province is Suwon, and it is divided into 28 cities and three counties.
Geographically, it lies right next to the Gangwon province, and they share a similar climate which is probably why the flavor profiles of the cuisines of the two provinces are similar. While Gangwon province has plenty of root crops, Gyeonggi province is known for dishes made with grain crops which are in abundance during the harvest season. The use of fermented salted seafood such as sae-u jeot (made from shrimp) and jogi-jeot (made from croaker) is common as the Yellow sea lies directly to the west of the province.
Here are some well-known dishes in the Gyeonggi province:
- Galbi (갈비)
Galbi or grilled ribs is one of the famous dishes in Suwon. Depending on whether the meat is beef or pork, the ribs are marinated in either a mixture of sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil or a spicy and savory chili paste-based marinade. Beef ribs are generally marinated using the soy sauce-based marinade, while pork ribs can be marinated in either sauce. The meat is normally served raw to customers and cooked on top of a grill by the customers themselves. When cooked properly, the meat should look glossy and easily falls off the bone.
2. Kong-guksu (콩국수)
Kong-guksu is a cold and refreshing Korean noodle dish served in a cold soymilk broth. It has a light and clean, but savory and creamy taste and is perfect for sweltering summer days. The noodles are usually made with wheat flour and the soup is made by soaking then cooking and puréeing soybeans. It is usually topped with typical summer produce such as cucumber, tomatoes, or even watermelons. The recipe for this dish is found in a cookbook compiled in the late 19th century, so this dish is more than 200 years old!
3. Samgyetang (삼계탕)

Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) – Korean Bapsang
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Samgyetang which literally means ginseng chicken soup (sam: ginseng, gye: chicken, tang: soup) is a traditional health food among Koreans. It is made by boiling a whole chicken filled with different ingredients such as garlic, rice, jujube, and ginseng. While this is a warm soup dish, it is traditionally eaten on days of the hottest weather in the summer and is believed to promote health and well-being. Scrumptious and hearty, this dish is a must-try when you visit Korea.
4. Sujebi (수제비)
Sujebi is a traditional Korean soup with hand-torn dough pieces mixed with various vegetables. The broth has a rich umami flavor that comes from simmering anchovies, shellfish, and kelp among other ingredients for many hours. While this dish is available to most people now, it used to be made for big celebrations such as a son’s or daughter’s first birthday party. It is usually served with vegetables such as zucchini and kimchi. It is also known by different names across different provinces but is also called Ddeudegi or Ddeudeokguk in Gyeonggi province.
5. Ogok-bap (오곡밥)
While this last one is not technically a dish, this is one of the most enjoyed foods in Gyeonggi province. Ogok-bap or simply five-grains rice is a rice mix composed of glutinous rice, proso millet, sorghum, black beans, and red beans. Traditionally eaten in the first full moon in the lunar calendar, this rice mix is considered to help replenish the nutrients and energy that people lost during the winter months. Considered as a health and diet food, this is a great alternative to rice for people suffering from high blood pressure and angina.
While Gyeonggi province may be known for being “only” the surrounding area to the capital, it’s dishes doesn’t come second-place to the wonderful cuisine offerings of South Korea. Make sure to try these dishes as you travel around Gyeonggi province in your next Korea tour. Until next time!
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Words by KREW member AJ Diamante
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