27 Aug What to Order at a Korean Restaurant for the First Time
Walking into a Korean restaurant for the first time can be exciting — but a long menu filled with unfamiliar names can also make choosing your first dish a little difficult.
Should you start with a soup? Order something with rice? Share a few dishes with friends? And what are all those small side dishes that arrive at the table?
The good news is that Korean food has something for almost every kind of diner.
At Park Bong Sook, some of the best dishes for first-time visitors are also some of the most comforting: hearty soups, satisfying rice meals and Korean favourites designed to be enjoyed around the table.
Here are a few dishes to consider if you are wondering what to order at a Korean restaurant for the first time.
1. Start with Ppyeo Haejangguk – Korean Pork Bone Soup
If you enjoy warm, hearty soups, Ppyeo Haejangguk (뼈해장국) is a great introduction to Korean comfort food.
It is a rich pork bone soup traditionally served hot and enjoyed with rice and Korean side dishes.
The combination of tender meat, warming broth and rice makes it particularly satisfying when you want a complete meal in one dish.
Why first-time diners may enjoy it
- Warm and comforting
- Served as a complete meal
- Great for cooler weather
- An easy introduction to Korean soups
- Pairs naturally with rice and banchan
Korean cuisine has a strong tradition of soups and stews, so trying a dish like Ppyeo Haejangguk is one of the easiest ways to experience an important part of everyday Korean food culture.
2. Try a Jokbal & Bossam Set
If you would rather experience several flavours at once, Jokbal and Bossam are excellent dishes to try.
Jokbal (족발) is Korean-style pork hock, while Bossam (보쌈) is tender pork traditionally enjoyed wrapped with vegetables and accompaniments.
A Jokbal and Bossam combination is especially good for first-time visitors because it introduces you to the Korean style of building each bite with different flavours and textures.
Take some pork, add a little side dish or sauce, wrap it together and enjoy.
Why it is a good first choice
- Lets you experience several flavours together
- Great for sharing
- Introduces Korean-style wrapped eating
- Works well for couples or small groups
- Pairs naturally with banchan
If you are visiting with another person and want something more social than an individual meal, this is a good place to start.
3. Choose Gukbap for Classic Korean Comfort Food
Gukbap (국밥) literally brings together two essentials of a Korean meal: soup and rice.
It is simple, warming and filling, which is exactly why this style of food has remained such a familiar comfort meal in Korea.
For someone trying Korean food for the first time, gukbap is approachable because the meal itself is straightforward.
You have a hot soup, rice and accompanying side dishes, and you can enjoy them at your own pace.
Gukbap is a good option if you want
- A hearty individual meal
- Something warm and satisfying
- A traditional Korean-style lunch
- Soup and rice together
- A less complicated first Korean meal
Sometimes the best introduction to Korean food is not the most elaborate dish. It is simply a meal that feels comforting from the first spoonful.
4. Try Gangnam Bulgogi-Style Flavours If You Prefer Something Savoury
For diners who prefer meat and rice rather than soup, a savoury Korean meat dish can be an easy first choice.
Korean-style marinated meat dishes are known for combining savoury and slightly sweet flavours, making them approachable even if you have never eaten Korean food before.
Enjoyed with rice and banchan, this style of meal gives you a good introduction to how different elements of a Korean table work together.
A good choice for people who
- Prefer meat-based dishes
- Enjoy savoury and slightly sweet flavours
- Want something served with rice
- Are less familiar with spicy Korean food
Not every Korean dish needs to be very spicy, so do not worry if chilli is not your thing.
What Is Banchan?
One of the first things you may notice at a Korean restaurant is the arrival of several small dishes around the table.
These are called banchan (반찬).
Banchan are Korean side dishes served alongside the main meal. They can include kimchi, seasoned vegetables, pickled dishes and other small accompaniments.
Rather than thinking of them as separate appetisers, think of banchan as part of the entire Korean meal.
Try a little with your rice, combine different side dishes with your main dish and discover which combinations you enjoy most.
That variety is part of what makes eating Korean food so enjoyable.
Should You Order Individual Meals or Sharing Dishes?
Both are common.
If you are eating alone or want something simple, a soup, gukbap or rice-based meal is an easy choice.
If you are dining with family or friends, ordering several dishes for the table gives you a much broader introduction to Korean food.
For one person
Try:
- Ppyeo Haejangguk
- Gukbap
- A Korean rice and meat dish
For two people
Consider:
- An individual meal each
- Jokbal & Bossam
- One additional sharing dish
For a family or group
A combination of dishes works particularly well.
You might mix:
- Jokbal
- Bossam
- Korean pancake
- Fried chicken
- Tteokbokki
- Stews
- Rice dishes
- Other sharing favourites
There is no single correct way to order. Korean dining is often about putting different dishes in the middle and enjoying the table together.
Is Korean Food Always Spicy?
No.
Korean cuisine certainly has many spicy dishes, but there are also plenty of mild, savoury and comforting options.
If you are unsure about spice levels, ask the restaurant team before ordering.
For a first visit, choosing a mixture of mild and stronger flavours is a good way to discover what you enjoy.
First Time at a Korean Restaurant? Keep It Simple
You do not need to understand every Korean dish before your first visit.
A good first Korean meal can be as simple as:
Something warm
A soup such as Ppyeo Haejangguk.
Something satisfying
Gukbap or a meat-and-rice meal.
Something to share
Jokbal, Bossam or another table dish.
Something new
Try the banchan that arrive with your meal.
Then, on your next visit, explore something different.
That is one of the best things about Korean food — there is always another dish to discover.
Find Park Bong Sook Near You
Park Bong Sook serves Korean food across multiple locations in Australia, with menus and available dishes varying between restaurants.
Select your nearest Park Bong Sook location to view its current menu, opening hours and dining information.
→ Find a Park Bong Sook Location
Frequently Asked Questions
What Korean food is good for beginners?
Comforting soups, rice dishes, Korean-style marinated meats, Bossam and other sharing dishes are all approachable choices for someone trying Korean food for the first time.
What should I order first at a Korean restaurant?
If you are dining alone, start with a soup or rice-based meal. If you are visiting with friends or family, ordering several dishes to share gives you the opportunity to experience more flavours.
What are the small side dishes served at Korean restaurants?
They are called banchan. Banchan are small Korean side dishes served alongside the main meal and may include kimchi, vegetables, pickled dishes and other accompaniments.
Is all Korean food spicy?
No. Korean cuisine includes spicy dishes, but many soups, meat dishes, rice meals and side dishes are mild or savoury.
Do all Park Bong Sook locations have the same menu?
Menus may vary between Park Bong Sook locations. Check your selected restaurant’s location page for its current menu and dining information.
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