From Changwon’s rare seasonal seafood to Seoul’s 24-hour street markets, South Korea has cemented its place as Asia’s most exciting culinary destination in 2026.
 
South Korea now ranks third among all Asian markets for food-driven travel, according to Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, with 34 percent of respondents citing cuisine as one of their top reasons to visit. That figure exceeds the Asian average by three percentage points — and the numbers on the ground back it up.
 
Accommodation searches for Changwon, a city celebrated for its ultra-seasonal seafood delicacy harvested only between March and May, jumped 34 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026.

THE FOOD

Korea’s culinary appeal stretches far beyond any single city. Seoul’s Gwangjang Market remains the undisputed street food capital, where vendors serve up bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), fresh mayak gimbap, and spicy rice cakes around the clock. Busan, meanwhile, draws seafood lovers to Jagalchi Market — the country’s largest fish market — where the catch is as fresh as it gets.

For travelers wanting to go deeper, Korean cooking classes have become one of the fastest-growing tourism activities in the country. Most sessions cover classics: bibimbap, kimchi, bulgogi, and Korean pancakes. Prices are typically accessible, and the skills travel home with you. The jjimjilbang experience — Korea’s beloved bathhouse culture — also pairs naturally with a food itinerary, offering a full evening of relaxation and communal dining that locals consider an essential part of the national rhythm.