A Guide to 'Mild' Korean Food for Those Worried About Strong Smells and Spiciness

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"All Korean food is spicy" — surprisingly, many foreigners think this. This is likely because of the strong image of kimchi, tteokbokki, and buldak. In reality, there are dozens of Korean dishes that are delicious without being spicy. For those concerned about strong odors or spiciness, this article summarizes mild dishes you can order with confidence in Korea and provides helpful tips.

• TOP 10 Mild Korean Menu Items — Signature dishes that foreigners can enjoy without hesitation

• Essential Korean Phrases for Ordering — Reduce the chance of failure with the phrase "It's not spicy"

• Restaurant Etiquette & Tips — Culture tips to know when dining in Korean restaurants

TOP 10 Mild Korean Dishes — Dishes Foreigners Can Enjoy Safely

The following menu items are generally non-spicy or are signature Korean dishes where you can adjust the spice level when ordering.

1. Bulgogi — Beef with a Sweet Soy Sauce Marinade

Bulgogi is a quintessential non-spicy Korean dish. Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic, then grilled. It is characterized by its sweet and tender taste and is the #1 preferred dish among foreigners.

2. Bibimbap — A Nutritional Bowl Mixed with Assorted Ingredients

Bibimbap is a dish served with rice topped with various vegetables (namul), meat, eggs, and seaweed, and mixed with gochujang (red chili paste). Since gochujang is served on the side, you can enjoy it as a completely non-spicy meal if you choose not to add it. Jeonju Bibimbap is particularly famous.

3. Samgyetang — The Epitome of Health Food

A nutritious chicken soup made by boiling a young chicken stuffed with ginseng, jujubes, garlic, and glutinous rice. The broth is clear and light, making it a popular summer health food. It is easy for foreigners to understand as 'Korean chicken soup'.

4. Japchae — A Savory Combination of Glass Noodles and Vegetables

Made by stir-frying sweet potato starch noodles in oil with vegetables like spinach, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and onions, then seasoned with soy sauce. It has a sweet and savory taste and is a staple at parties and holidays.

5. Galbijjim — Tender, Sweet Braised Beef Short Ribs

Beef short ribs braised in a soy-based sauce. The meat is tender and the sauce is sweet, making it a premium dish often enjoyed on special occasions.

6. Gimbap — Korea's Portable Lunch

Rice, pickled radish, carrots, spinach, egg, and other ingredients rolled in seaweed and sliced. Easily available at convenience stores, it is popular for picnics or quick meals.

7. Doenjang-jjigae — Savory Soybean Paste Stew

A stew made by boiling soybean paste (doenjang) with vegetables, tofu, and meat. A mild doenjang-jjigae without gochujang has a deep, savory flavor. Some restaurants add green chili (cheongyang-gochu), so please say "Gochu ppae-juseyo" (please remove the chili) when ordering.

8. Baekban — Korean-style Set Meal

Baekban is a Korean set meal consisting of rice, soup, and 3-5 side dishes. While the side dishes vary by restaurant, most include non-spicy options. It is a great way to experience a table full of diverse side dishes at once.

9. Korean Fried Chicken — Crispy Korean-style Fried Chicken

Korean chicken is divided into 'Fried' (mild) and 'Yangnyeom' (spicy sauce). Fried chicken is crispy and mild, making it one of the most popular dishes among foreigners. As of 2025, it was ranked as the #1 favorite Korean dish for foreigners.

10. Sundubu-jjigae — Soft Tofu Stew (Mild Version)

Sundubu-jjigae generally uses gochujang and red chili powder, but most restaurants offer a mild version (Baeksundubu). The mild broth with soft tofu, egg, and seafood is easy for foreigners to enjoy.

Quick Comparison of Mild Korean Dishes

Essential Korean Phrases for Ordering — Reduce Failure with "It's Not Spicy"

Useful phrases to know when ordering mild food at a Korean restaurant.

Basic Expressions

Basic Ordering Phrases

Tip: Most restaurants provide English menus, or staff understand basic English. However, using the Korean phrases above will make ordering much more accurate.

Korean Restaurant Etiquette — Culture Tips

1. Water is Self-Service

In most Korean restaurants, water bottles or water dispensers are located near the table. It is standard to pour your own water.

2. Side Dishes are Refillable

Basic side dishes like kimchi, pickled radish, and bean sprouts are usually free to refill. Just ask "Refill ganeung-haeyo?" (Can I get a refill?).

3. How to Use Chopsticks and Spoons

Koreans use both a spoon and chopsticks. Use the spoon for rice and soup, and chopsticks for side dishes. Sticking chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice is a strict taboo.

4. Payment is Usually After the Meal

In Korean restaurants, it is common to pay after you have finished eating. Just say "Gye-san-seo juseyo" (bill please) or "Eol-ma-ye-yo?" (how much is it?).

5. No Tipping Culture

There is no tipping culture in Korea. You simply pay the exact amount on the bill.

Local Tips — Reducing the Risk of Failure

Tip 1: Utilize Convenience Stores

Convenience stores like CU, GS25, and others are stocked with gimbap, triangle gimbap, sandwiches, and fruit, which are all mild options. They are great choices when you are in a rush or on a budget.

Tip 2: Start at Food Courts

Department store or large supermarket food courts have diverse Korean food corners. You can check the menu through pictures, making it very friendly for foreigners.

Tip 3: Use Naver Map or KakaoMap

If you search for keywords like "mild" (be-mae-un, sun-han) on Naver Map or KakaoMap, you can check related reviews. There are often photo reviews, which are great for previewing the food.

FAQ

Is all Korean food spicy?

No. There are dozens of non-spicy Korean dishes such as bulgogi, samgyetang, japchae, galbijjim, and gimbap. While kimchi and tteokbokki have a strong image, there are actually many more mild dishes.

Will they understand if I say "It's not spicy"?

Yes, most restaurants will understand. Especially in tourist areas or places with many foreign guests, there are often English menus or English-speaking staff.

Can vegetarians enjoy mild Korean food?

Yes. There are many vegetarian options such as Bibimbap (without meat), Japchae, Doenjang-jjigae (check the broth), and Baekban (choose your side dishes). For more details, refer to the Vegetarian in Korea Guide.

What kind of mild Korean food can I buy at a convenience store?

Options include gimbap, triangle gimbap (tuna mayo, cheese), sandwiches, fruit, yogurt, and steamed eggs. Most are in the 2,000~5,000 KRW range.

Conclusion

Korean food is not just about spiciness. Sweet bulgogi, light samgyetang, savory japchae, crispy fried chicken — knowing just these 10 dishes will significantly reduce your dining worries while traveling in Korea.

When ordering, just saying "An maewoyo?" (Is it spicy?) will lead most restaurant staff to respond kindly. Don't be afraid to try various Korean dishes.

Recommended Reads

• Complete Korean Food Guide — All about Korean food

• Korean Vegetarian Guide — Total summary of vegetarian options

• Korean Restaurant Etiquette — Culture tips to know

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