BROOMFIELD, CO (May 15, 2024) – InsideAsia Tours is thrilled to announce its latest gastronomic-focused itinerary, 'Culinary Korea', a 13-day sojourn traversing the distinct regions of South Korea through the lenses of tasting the delectable cuisine that is unique to each of the five destinations visited on this new itinerary.

“Designed to satisfy food enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, this new itinerary delves into the diverse flavors and mouthwatering culinary traditions unique to South Korea through a blend of hands-on cooking workshops, market visits and other culturally immersive experiences,” commented Rebecca Barry, InsideAsia Tours' Senior South Korea Product Executive. “Korea's culinary offerings go far beyond the well-known KBBQ and craft beer, and travelers will get to try the best of it as they sample the complex tastes and fresh flavors of meals, sides, snacks and beverages that create Korea's unique cuisine.”

Over 13-days, the Culinary Korea itinerary takes travelers through South Korea's diverse regions, sampling the local cuisine in each city that is as unique as its food is. With time spent in more developed cities like metropolitan Seoul, the port city of Yeosu and the coastal retreat of Busan, the Culinary Korea itinerary also shows travelers the charming Korean countryside in the historic enclave of mountainous Jeonju and the remote island culture of Jeju. Throughout the itinerary, travelers will engage in interactive experiences with locals who will share not only Korean food, but also the broader Korean culture.

“The various aspects and quirks of Korean cuisine are best enjoyed in Korea directly, where historically-authentic preparation methods are practiced in venues ranging from fine dining establishments to street food carts, both of which utilize fresh and locally sourced ingredients harvested from the ground and the sea. Beyond the food itself, there is something profoundly special about Korea's communal dining culture, which cultivates a deep sense of interpersonal connection, a concept known locally as jeong,” commented Barry.  “The concept of jeong is felt throughout all of Korean cuisine, and travelers on the Culinary Korea itinerary will feel the spark of deep connection to their fellow travelers, Korean locals and the country's rich and dynamic culture as a whole, elevating dining experiences to a truly transcendent, soul-nurturing experience.”

As with all InsideAsia Tours' self-guided adventures, the Culinary Korea itinerary can be adjusted and modified per traveler preferences regarding time, budget, and any other activities or sites travelers would like to explore. For travelers with more time, conjoining Culinary Korea with the linked Gastronomic Adventure from sister-brand InsideJapan Tours is a natural fit to continue the food-focused exploration of Asia with cultural experts.

Culinary Korea Itinerary Highlights

• Seoul: With three days in Seoul, travelers have plenty of time to explore iconic sites like Gyeongbok Palace and Namsan Tower as they get their first taste of Korean cuisine. With every meal a chance to savor KBBQ or chimaek fried chicken dishes, the craft beers and unique brews in trendy Seongsu will satisfy the most discerning of beer aficionados. Coffee enthusiasts can indulge in Seoul's innovative cafes and traditional teahouses, sampling world-class espresso, dalgona hand-beaten coffee, and gogooma sweet potato lattes.
• Jeonju: Jeonju, South Korea's culinary capital, is famed for its traditional dishes like bibimbap rice bowls and kongnamul-gukbap bean sprout soup. A city renowned for upholding traditional culture in all aspects, the Hanok Village features old-world cafes and food establishments serving traditional staples of Korean cuisine prepared using the time-tested methods that have been used by locals for hundreds of years. Clinking cups of fizzy rice wine in Makgeolli Alley will foster deep connections among travelers and locals, celebrating with the Korean cheers, "geonbae."
• Yeosu: On the lesser visited west coast of Korea, Yeosu offers a taste of port city life with its lively fish market and maritime cable car. Most notable is the Nangman Night Market, whose street performers and food stalls attract nightly lines of hungry patrons looking to enjoy spicy seafood soup and deep-fried fish, freshly caught within a few days of eating. Nearby, Seonamsa Temple's preserved walled town provides a tranquil escape for inner zen in the middle of this gastronomic adventure.
• Jeju Island: Known for its balmy climate, juicy tangerines, and beautiful beaches, Jeju Island is South Korea's top vacation spot thanks to its adventurous landscape, boasting Korea's highest mountain, volcanic rock walls, lava caves, and more natural beauty to explore. This portion of the tour includes a chance to pick and taste the famous Jeju tangerines, as well as an experience with the unique haenyo community of female free divers who have harvested abalone, octopus, and sea urchins for decades with their traditional bitchang
• Busan: At the culinary world's forefront thanks to the city's first-ever Michelin Guide published earlier this year, Busan is renowned for its modern seafront, crystal-clear beaches, and colorful Gamcheon alleyways. The iconic Jagalchi Fish Market offers Korea's freshest seafood, like nakji octopus and spicy maeun-tang soup among other delicacies. Within the winding footpaths of Jagalchi Fish Market, travelers will partake in a cooking workshop led by a Busan local, who will teach how to prepare a traditional Korean dish travelers can recreate once home.

For more information about InsideAsia Tours and Culinary Korea, visit https://www.insideasiatours.com/us/south-korea/tailormade-trips/clk001/culinary-korea.

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