Like many food lovers, my camera roll is a scrapbook of almost every single dish I have ever eaten. At the beginning of every meal, dessert, or snack, my family is prohibited from touching the food until I finish snapping shots at every possible angle.
My last trip to Korea this summer gave me the opportunity to take my avid picture-taking to the next level. I managed to visit a handful of the limitless restaurants and cafés that Korea has to offer, and not only was the food worth the 12-hour plane ride—but once I got home, I had an entire collection of photos to share on my feed. Here are a few of my special favorites.
1. Makguksu at Hocheon Restaurant
The refreshing, housemade makguksu (buckwheat noodles), available tossed in a spicy sauce or in a cold broth, is a summertime must-have at this hidden gem, in addition to the restaurant's fresh sides like radish kimchi and scallion salad. However, don't miss out on the other dishes, because the ddeokgalbi (grilled short rib patties) and doenjang jjigae (warm soybean paste stew) are just as delicious. With the food's gorgeous color scheme and the natural lighting streaming through the restaurant's large windows, your Instagram feed will be sure to thank you later.
Location: 5 Yeonhui-ro 14-gil, Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2. Purple Ice Cream at Ikseon Goro Purple Berry Ice Cream
After seeing this in countless posts all over the Internet, I just had to try it for myself. Sold at a streetside window in the traditional-but-trendy town of Ikseon-dong, this blueberry dessert full of creamy goodness is both uniquely flavorful and deliciously smooth. Its signature purple swirl, vivid green cone, and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar make it an eye-catching showstopper guaranteed to make your followers hungry, curious, and just a tad bit envious.
Location: 166-34 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
3. Soufflé Pancakes at Dongbaek Bakery
Ever imagine what a cloud would taste like? Now, just add heaping spoonfuls of freshly-whipped cream, summer strawberries, and a dusting of powdered sugar, and you have Dongbaek Bakery's famous soufflé pancakes that have attracted tourists from far and wide. Softer and fluffier than your average flapjack thanks to a meringue that is folded into the batter, soufflé pancakes have taken the world by storm as a popular reinterpretation of the classic breakfast staple. The antique-themed interior and chinaware also serve as the perfect backdrop for you to snap a pic for your #foodporn post.
Location: 166-73 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
4. Kakao Character Mango Slushies and Cakes at the Ryan Café
This beautiful café located inside a Kakao Friends flagship store serves colorful beverages and desserts based on the emoticons of KakaoTalk (a Korean messaging app). Not only does the glassware sport the faces of these lovable emojis, but the desserts creatively bring them to life. The tangy mango slushie (with bear-shaped ice!) and the delicately sweet, personal-size cartoon cupcakes make for a delectable combination as well as an adorable spread for the perfect photo.
Location: 162 Yanghwa-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
5. Curry Donkatsu at Baekseongdang
This curry and donkatsu (crispy fried pork cutlet) dish had just the ideal amount of crunch and flavor. Not to mention the warm rice, soup, cabbage salad, and other side dishes that complemented the crispy cutlet wonderfully! Don't let the large portions fool you—you'll definitely want to finish the whole thing. But, before you do, make sure to take a photo because the artful design in the curry and the colorful sides are sure to take your feed to another level.
Location: 228-2 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (second floor)
6. Korean BBQ at Guwooso
What's a trip to Korea without Korean barbecue? This restaurant boasts multiple varieties of meat, like beef rib steak and pork belly, that you can enjoy right off the grill along with onions, Korean peppers, garlic, fresh lettuce, and side dishes like kimchi and pickled radish. Not only does this classic never fail to taste heavenly every time, but its spread-out and plentiful display also look impressive on the 'gram!
Location: 199-1 Donggyo-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
7. Bingsu at Sulbing
Since my trip to Korea took place during the brutal humidity of summer, I naturally went searching for the coldest dessert I could find to fight off the heat. Bingsu, or Korean shaved ice, topped with strawberries and a mountain of light whipped cream proved the winner. Sulbing never disappoints with its ever-changing variety of wonderfully sweet and refreshing takes on the dessert, including red bean, rice cake, honeydew, chocolate, green tea, and more. With its vibrant colors and gorgeous design, this towering masterpiece is photogenic from any angle.
Location: 15 Hongik-ro 6-gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
With so many food spots to explore and pictures to take, it's almost too difficult to keep up! But that feeling when you discover delicious food and have a quality picture to remember it by? That's hard to beat.