{"id":1980,"date":"2026-05-15T03:48:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comeonkorea.com\/?p=1980"},"modified":"2026-06-17T13:18:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T04:18:12","slug":"korean-fusion-banchan-recipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/korean-fusion-banchan-recipes\/","title":{"rendered":"From Kimchi Tacos to Bibimbap Bowls \u2014 Seoul&#8217;s Best Korean Fusion Food Spots and Recipes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>K-food has moved well beyond being the cuisine of a single country and has become a genuine part of food culture worldwide. You can now easily find <span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/9387\/938779eaa98dcfe5.webp\" data-alt=\"\uae40\uce58, \ubc30\ucd94\ub97c \uc591\ub150\uc5d0 \ubc84\ubb34\ub824 \ubc1c\ud6a8\uc2dc\ud0a8 \ud55c\uad6d \ub300\ud45c \ubc18\ucc2c\">kimchi<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/9387\/938779eaa98dcfe5.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> in ordinary supermarkets across the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia, and <span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/82b0\/82b0549f51a695aa.webp\" data-alt=\"\ube44\ube54\ubc25, \ubc25 \uc704\uc5d0 \ub098\ubb3c\uacfc \uace0\uae30, \uacc4\ub780\uc744 \uc62c\ub824 \uace0\ucd94\uc7a5\uc5d0 \ube44\ube44\ub294 \uc74c\uc2dd\">bibimbap<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/82b0\/82b0549f51a695aa.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> has become a standard menu item at global Korean restaurants in nearly every city. This guide on Korean fusion food takes two approaches: trusted spots in Seoul where you can taste global K-food fusion firsthand, and fusion side dish recipes you can make at home right away.<\/p>\n<h2>The Story Behind Global K-Food Fusion<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/48a2\/48a29112ba35b8ef.webp\" alt=\"\ubc18\uc73c\ub85c \uc798\ub824 \uc18d\uc774 \uaf49 \ucc2c \ub2e8\uba74\uc744 \ubcf4\uc5ec\uc8fc\ub294 \uae40\uce58 \ubd80\ub9ac\ud1a0 \ud074\ub85c\uc988\uc5c5\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width:100%; height:auto;\" \/><\/p>\n<p>K-food fusion began when the core elements of Korean cooking met the culinary formats of other countries. It is not simply about mixing dishes together. It is a process where ingredients and cooking methods from different cultures combine to create new flavors. Four ingredients sit at the heart of it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/9387\/938779eaa98dcfe5.webp\" data-alt=\"\uae40\uce58, \ubc30\ucd94\ub97c \uc591\ub150\uc5d0 \ubc84\ubb34\ub824 \ubc1c\ud6a8\uc2dc\ud0a8 \ud55c\uad6d \ub300\ud45c \ubc18\ucc2c\">kimchi<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/9387\/938779eaa98dcfe5.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/strong>: The umami and heat of this fermented food, along with its crunchy texture, add a distinctive accent to Mexican tacos or an American grilled cheese sandwich. The kimchi taco, which got its start in LA, is now a globally recognized fusion dish.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/82b0\/82b0549f51a695aa.webp\" data-alt=\"\ube44\ube54\ubc25, \ubc25 \uc704\uc5d0 \ub098\ubb3c\uacfc \uace0\uae30, \uacc4\ub780\uc744 \uc62c\ub824 \uace0\ucd94\uc7a5\uc5d0 \ube44\ube44\ub294 \uc74c\uc2dd\">bibimbap<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/82b0\/82b0549f51a695aa.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/strong>: Its format of piling many ingredients into one bowl and mixing them was easily embraced in Western countries, where &#8220;bowl&#8221; meals are popular. There are many variations that add local ingredients like quinoa, avocado, or vegan patties.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/6aa4\/6aa493b3ca08473a.webp\" data-alt=\"\ub9cc\ub450, \uc587\uc740 \ud53c\uc5d0 \uc18c\ub97c \ub123\uc5b4 \ube5a\uc740 \ub9cc\ub450\">mandu<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/6aa4\/6aa493b3ca08473a.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/strong>: CJ CheilJedang&#8217;s &#8220;Bibigo&#8221; dumplings hold the number one share of the US dumpling market (overtaking Japanese brands in 2016 and holding the lead since), and they are widely used as an ingredient in K-food fusion. They get reworked in ways such as being served with a sauce like ravioli or fried like an empanada.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/54cc\/54ccb4d0637fe5b4.webp\" data-alt=\"\ubd88\uace0\uae30, \uc587\uac8c \uc36c \uc18c\uace0\uae30\ub97c \uac04\uc7a5 \uc591\ub150\uc5d0 \uc7ac\uc6cc \uad6c\uc6b4 \uc694\ub9ac\">bulgogi<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/54cc\/54ccb4d0637fe5b4.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/strong>: Its sweet and savory flavor has won over mainstream palates as a pizza topping, a filling for a Philly cheesesteak, a hamburger patty, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Below we cover which Seoul restaurants serve these fusion dishes, how to get there, and what budget to expect. All information is current as of June 2026, and prices and hours are subject to change.<\/p>\n<h2>A Guide to Seoul&#8217;s K-Food Fusion Restaurants, Neighborhood by Neighborhood<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/3b8a\/3b8acc124d38d7d5.webp\" alt=\"\uae40\uce58\uc640 \uce58\uc988\uac00 \ub4ec\ubfcd \uc62c\ub77c\uac04 \ubc14\uc0ad\ud55c \uac10\uc790\ud280\uae40 \uc694\ub9ac \uae40\uce58 \ud504\ub77c\uc774\uc988\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width:100%; height:auto;\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Seoul is the best city for experiencing K-food fusion at its most dynamic. Each neighborhood has its own character, so we have organized things by area with real travel routes in mind.<\/p>\n<h3>1. Itaewon: The Home of Kimchi Tacos and Mexican Fusion<\/h3>\n<p>Itaewon is Seoul&#8217;s most international neighborhood, and it is where some of the earliest restaurants experimenting with K-food fusion, especially the blend with Mexican cuisine, set up shop. It is the ideal place to try kimchi tacos, quesadillas, and burritos.<\/p>\n<h4>Recommended: Vatos Urban Tacos, Itaewon<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=Vatos+Urban+Tacos+Itaewon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Vatos Urban Tacos, Itaewon<\/a> \ud83d\udccd is the leading Korean-Mexican spot that successfully brought the LA-born kimchi taco trend to Seoul. The wait can be long on weekend evenings, so we recommend an early dinner or a weekday visit.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Detail<\/th>\n<th>Information (as of June 2026)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Address<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>1, Itaewon-ro 15-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (2F)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Getting there<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>About a 7-minute walk from Exit 1 of Itaewon Station on Subway Line 6 (toward the Itaewon Fire Station, around 450m). Also within walking distance of Noksapyeong Station.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Hours<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Daily 11:30\u201322:00, with a weekday break around 15:00\u201317:00. It is a good idea to check official social media or CatchTable for any changes before you go.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Signature dishes and prices<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Kimchi Carnitas Fries<\/strong>: shareable for 2\u20133 people, <strong>15,900 won<\/strong>. The signature dish: seasoned fries topped with pork carnitas, stir-fried kimchi, cheese, and cilantro.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Galbi Tacos<\/strong>: <strong>18,900 won<\/strong>. A textbook Korean-Mexican combination of beef short rib with ssamjang aioli.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Quesadillas<\/strong>: <strong>from 15,900 won<\/strong>. Available in varieties such as BBQ carnitas and chicken.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Lively atmosphere. English menus and English-speaking staff are available, so you can request custom orders, like leaving out an ingredient, in English.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>2. Hongdae: Creative Casual Dining<\/h3>\n<p>The Hongdae area, centered on Hongik University, draws young artists and students, so it is full of experimental eateries. You will easily find boundary-pushing creations like cream sauce <span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/14a5\/14a5261c6b16edad.webp\" data-alt=\"\ub5a1\ubcf6\uc774 - \uace0\ucd94\uc7a5 \uc591\ub150 \ub5a1\ubcf6\uc774\">tteokbokki<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/14a5\/14a5261c6b16edad.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> and <span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/54cc\/54ccb4d0637fe5b4.webp\" data-alt=\"\ubd88\uace0\uae30, \uc587\uac8c \uc36c \uc18c\uace0\uae30\ub97c \uac04\uc7a5 \uc591\ub150\uc5d0 \uc7ac\uc6cc \uad6c\uc6b4 \uc694\ub9ac\">bulgogi<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/54cc\/54ccb4d0637fe5b4.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> pasta.<\/p>\n<h4>Recommended: Sonyeon Sikdang<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=%EC%86%8C%EB%85%84%EC%8B%9D%EB%8B%B9+%EC%84%9C%EC%9A%B8+%EB%A7%88%ED%8F%AC%EA%B5%AC+%EC%84%9C%EA%B5%90%EB%8F%99\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sonyeon Sikdang<\/a> \ud83d\udccd is a Japanese home-style rice bowl shop, but it has been a long-time favorite thanks to dishes like soy-marinated shrimp rice that put Korean-leaning ingredients on a Japanese format. It is a good fit when you want to see the vibe of &#8220;Korean-Japanese casual fusion&#8221; rather than Korean food in its purest form.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Detail<\/th>\n<th>Information (as of June 2026)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Address<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>333-11, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Getting there<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>About a 10-minute walk from Hongik University Station on Subway Line 2, the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and the Airport Railroad. It is tucked down an alley, so searching &#8220;Sonyeon Sikdang&#8221; on Naver Map and following the walking directions is the most reliable option.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Hours<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>From around noon to about 9 p.m., with a break around 4 p.m. <strong>Closed Mondays<\/strong> (some sources list Sunday as the closing day). May close early once ingredients run out, so check that day&#8217;s opening on Instagram (@boy_kitchen7179) or Naver Map before visiting.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Main menu<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Soy Sauce Marinated Shrimp Rice<\/strong>: the signature dish<\/li>\n<li><strong>Salmon Donburi<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Japanese-style Curry Rice<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>        Rice bowls run from around 10,000 won to the mid-10,000-won range, varying by season.\n      <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Mostly bar seating, which suits solo dining. The space is small, so there may be a wait. Neat, careful plating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>3. Gangnam: K-Food Fusion as Fine Dining<\/h3>\n<p>Gangnam is Seoul&#8217;s business and commercial hub, dense with fine dining. The K-food fusion here is not street-food style. Instead, it reinterprets the traditional cooking methods and philosophy of Korean cuisine through modern techniques and foreign ingredients. You can have this kind of experience at Michelin-listed restaurants.<\/p>\n<h4>For reference: Kwonsooksoo and Mingles<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=%EA%B6%8C%EC%88%99%EC%88%98+%EC%84%9C%EC%9A%B8+%EA%B0%95%EB%82%A8%EA%B5%AC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kwonsooksoo<\/a> \ud83d\udccd (Apgujeong, two Michelin stars in 2026) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=%EB%B0%8D%EA%B8%80%EC%8A%A4+%EC%84%9C%EC%9A%B8+%EC%B2%AD%EB%8B%B4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mingles<\/a> \ud83d\udccd (Cheongdam, three Michelin stars in 2026, the only three-star in the country) are not about straightforward fusion like the kimchi taco. They draw out Korea&#8217;s jang (fermented sauce) culture, fermentation, and seasonal ingredients through a course format and modern cooking techniques. For example, they might use jang as the base for a Western-style sauce, or reinterpret a traditional ingredient as a dessert.<\/p>\n<p>For reference, Mosu Seoul, which was once mentioned alongside Gangnam fine dining, reopened in March 2025 in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu (4, Hoenamu-ro 41-gil) and received two Michelin stars in 2026, so it belongs on an Itaewon route rather than a Gangnam one.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Detail<\/th>\n<th>Information (as of June 2026)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Category<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Modern Korean Fine Dining<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Location<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Kwonsooksoo: around 37, Apgujeong-ro 80-gil, Gangnam-gu \/ Mingles: Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Price range<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Course menus run <strong>from 200,000 to over 400,000 won per person<\/strong> (for example, the Kwonsooksoo lunch course is 270,000 won per person as of early 2026). Wine pairings are extra.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Reservations<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Required.<\/strong> Use a booking app such as CatchTable, or call. Mingles often books out months in advance, and Kwonsooksoo is regularly closed on Sundays and Mondays.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>A good fit for travelers marking a special occasion or interested in the artistic side of K-food. There may be a dress code, so check when booking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Three Fusion Side Dishes to Make at Home<\/h2>\n<p>You can keep your K-food fusion journey going even after the trip. The three recipes below are fusion side dishes and sauces with proven flavor combinations that you can make with ingredients from any ordinary overseas supermarket. The measurements fall within typical ranges, so feel free to adjust to taste.<\/p>\n<h3>Gochujang Mayo Dipping Sauce<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ingredients<\/strong>: 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean fermented red chili paste), 1 tsp honey, a splash of lemon juice<\/li>\n<li><strong>Method<\/strong>: Mix everything together and you are done. To tone down the heat, raise the mayo ratio up to 3:1.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Uses<\/strong>: With fries, vegetable sticks, or chicken. It works as a home version of kimchi fries.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Substitute<\/strong>: If you cannot find gochujang, a 1:1 mix of sriracha and miso (<span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/deb9\/deb9520f9f956320.webp\" data-alt=\"\ub41c\uc7a5\">doenjang<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/deb9\/deb9520f9f956320.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>) gives a flavor in a similar direction (though with less fermented umami).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Storage<\/strong>: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 2\u20133 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Kimchi Butter Stir-fry<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ingredients<\/strong>: 1 cup well-fermented kimchi (finely chopped), 1 tbsp butter, 1 tsp sugar<\/li>\n<li><strong>Method<\/strong>: Over medium heat, stir-fry the kimchi in the butter for about 5 minutes, using the sugar to round off the sourness.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Uses<\/strong>: As a filling for a grilled cheese sandwich, a base for <span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/f8f2\/f8f277937d73305c.webp\" data-alt=\"\ubcf6\uc74c\ubc25, \ubc25\uacfc \uc7ac\ub8cc\ub97c \uae30\ub984\uc5d0 \ubcf6\uc740 \uc694\ub9ac\">fried rice<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/f8f2\/f8f277937d73305c.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>, or a pasta topping. Pairing the tang of kimchi with milk fat follows the same principle as the kimchi taco.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Substitute<\/strong>: Kimchi is available in the refrigerated section of large supermarkets in the US and Europe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Storage<\/strong>: Airtight in the fridge for 3\u20134 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Mushroom Bulgogi (vegan-friendly)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ingredients<\/strong>: 300g button or shiitake mushrooms, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp sesame oil<\/li>\n<li><strong>Method<\/strong>: Mix the marinade ahead of time, marinate the mushrooms for 10 minutes, then stir-fry over high heat until the liquid has cooked off.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Uses<\/strong>: As a side dish with rice, of course, but also as a taco filling or a sandwich filling. This recipe shows why <span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/54cc\/54ccb4d0637fe5b4.webp\" data-alt=\"\ubd88\uace0\uae30, \uc587\uac8c \uc36c \uc18c\uace0\uae30\ub97c \uac04\uc7a5 \uc591\ub150\uc5d0 \uc7ac\uc6cc \uad6c\uc6b4 \uc694\ub9ac\">bulgogi<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/54cc\/54ccb4d0637fe5b4.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> marinade (roughly 2:1 soy sauce to sugar) works with just about any protein.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Storage<\/strong>: Airtight in the fridge for 3 days. Do not leave cooked dishes at room temperature for more than 2 hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Extra Tips for Travelers<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/3688\/368877735e22db48.webp\" alt=\"\ub2e4\uc591\ud55c K\ud478\ub4dc \ud4e8\uc804 \uc694\ub9ac\ub4e4\uc774 \ud14c\uc774\ube14 \uc704\uc5d0 \ud56d\uacf5\uc0f7\uc73c\ub85c \ucd2c\uc601\ub41c \ubaa8\uc2b5\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width:100%; height:auto;\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>K-Food Fusion for Vegans and Vegetarians<\/h3>\n<p>Korea&#8217;s plant-based food culture is growing fast, and finding vegan or vegetarian options at fusion K-food restaurants is getting easier. The following phrases can help when ordering.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>&#8220;Gogi ppae-juseyo.&#8221;<\/strong> \u2014 Please remove the meat.<\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8220;Jeoneun chaesikjuuija-yeyo.&#8221;<\/strong> \u2014 I am a vegetarian.<\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8220;Myeolchi yuksu sayonghasyeonnayo?&#8221;<\/strong> \u2014 Did you use anchovy broth? (It is often used in soups and stews such as <span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/aeae\/aeae1645ae6ff36d.webp\" data-alt=\"\uae40\uce58\ucc0c\uac1c, \uae40\uce58\uc640 \ub3fc\uc9c0\uace0\uae30\ub97c \ub123\uace0 \ub053\uc778 \uce7c\uce7c\ud55c \ucc0c\uac1c\">kimchi jjigae<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/aeae\/aeae1645ae6ff36d.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> and <span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/17e5\/17e529f9a23d1f66.webp\" data-alt=\"\ub41c\uc7a5\ucc0c\uac1c, \ub41c\uc7a5\uc744 \ud480\uc5b4 \ub053\uc778 \uad6c\uc218\ud55c \ucc0c\uac1c\">doenjang jjigae<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/17e5\/17e529f9a23d1f66.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Recently, more restaurants have been specializing in dishes like &#8220;vegan bulgogi tacos&#8221; made with plant-based meat, or &#8220;vegetarian <span class=\"food-pop\" data-img=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/82b0\/82b0549f51a695aa.webp\" data-alt=\"\ube44\ube54\ubc25, \ubc25 \uc704\uc5d0 \ub098\ubb3c\uacfc \uace0\uae30, \uacc4\ub780\uc744 \uc62c\ub824 \uace0\ucd94\uc7a5\uc5d0 \ube44\ube44\ub294 \uc74c\uc2dd\">bibimbap<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"food-pop-thumb\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.comeonkorea.com\/82b0\/82b0549f51a695aa.webp\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>&#8221; using tofu and mushrooms. Vegan-focused restaurants are easy to find in Haebangchon and Yeonnam-dong.<\/p>\n<h3>Transit and Getting Around<\/h3>\n<p>Seoul&#8217;s public transit, especially the subway, is highly efficient. Every restaurant in this article is within a 10-minute walk of a subway station.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Subway<\/strong>: The most recommended way to get around. You can check real-time arrivals and the shortest routes with the Naver Map or Kakao Map app. Google Maps handles public transit directions well, but it is less accurate for walking and car navigation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Taxi<\/strong>: As of June 2026, the &#8220;Kakao T&#8221; app supports registering overseas-issued credit cards, and there is also &#8220;k.ride,&#8221; a streamlined app for foreigners. You can also hail a taxi in Korea through the Uber app. Flagging a regular taxi on the street is an option too.<\/li>\n<li><strong>1330 Korea Travel Helpline<\/strong>: A traveler information line run by the Korea Tourism Organization. Dial <strong>1330<\/strong> for 24-hour interpretation and tourist information in English, Japanese, Chinese, and other languages. It is useful when you need help with restaurant reservations or communicating with a taxi driver.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p>\n  <strong>Editor&#8217;s tip: Solo Dining<\/strong><br \/>\n  Some Korean restaurants require a minimum order of two servings for dishes like dak-galbi or hot pots. That said, most of the fusion restaurants featured in this guide have menu items well suited to dining alone. If you are not sure, just ask the staff before going in: <strong>&#8220;Il-in siksa doenayo?&#8221;<\/strong> (Can I dine alone?).\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Seoul&#8217;s K-food fusion scene is a fascinating gauge of how Korea&#8217;s traditional flavors evolve when they meet the world&#8217;s many food cultures. If you enjoyed a combination you tasted at a restaurant, try recreating it at home with the recipes above.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the latest Korean fusion banchan recipes! Learn how to make delicious K-food side dishes with ingredients from your local supermarket.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2563,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_cluster_member":"true","_cluster_role":"supporting","_cluster_id":"10","_pillar_topic_id":"58","cok_place_schema_b64":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[178],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-recipes"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":178,"label":"K-Recipes"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/thumb_c5eaa910.webp",896,504,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"ComeonKorea Author","author_link":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/author\/comeonkorea_author\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":178,"name":"K-Recipes","slug":"recipes","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":178,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":167,"count":9,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":178,"category_count":9,"category_description":"","cat_name":"K-Recipes","category_nicename":"recipes","category_parent":167}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1980"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1980\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18900,"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1980\/revisions\/18900"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}