Autumn in Korea is truly a magnificent season. As the summer heat dissipates and cool autumn breezes sweep through, the mountains and fields are bathed in golden hues. It’s during this enchanting time that Korea’s rich culinary heritage shines brightly. Korean cuisine, known for its seasonal variations in flavor and aroma, particularly highlights the abundant taste of seafood in the fall.

For those planning to visit Korea, it’s essential to consider the season when crafting your travel itinerary. Korea boasts distinct seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, each offering a unique experience.

Autumn is the perfect season for outdoor activities in Korea. With its mild weather, it sets the stage for various outdoor festivals and events. Moreover, autumn is known for its abundance of seafood, surpassing the prominence of meat dishes. This emphasis on seafood characterizes Korean autumn cuisine.

Now, let’s embark on a culinary journey to explore five delicious Korean autumn dishes together!

⭐ Must-Try Korean Autumn Cuisine: 5 Delightful Dishes

1. Jeoneo Hoe & Jeoneo Gui (Raw and Grilled Gizzard Shad)

Gizzard shad, roughly the size of an adult palm, is a fish that becomes exceptionally delicious as autumn sets in. During autumn, gizzard shad plumps up and becomes rich in oils, making it a delight whether enjoyed raw as sashimi or grilled. There’s a Korean saying that goes, “My daughter-in-law, who left home because of the smell of grilling autumn gizzard, is coming back.” which speaks to the irresistible aroma of this fish.

Jeoneo Hoe, or raw gizzard shad, is prepared by slicing the fish along with its bones. The slightly chewy texture of the bones adds to the overall flavor profile, offering a satisfyingly savory experience. For those who prefer not to deal with the bones, the fish can be filleted before being served as sashimi. Enjoyed alongside a spicy yet refreshing dipping sauce made from chilli sauce, and Fresh garlic, it enhances the traditional Korean flavor.

Jeoneo Gui, or grilled gizzard shad, offers a different experience compared to sashimi. It features tender flesh and crispy, smoky skin, providing a delightful contrast in textures. In Korea, it’s common to dip grilled fish in a soy sauce-based sauce, which adds a savory and slightly salty flavor that pairs perfectly with rice

2. Sannakji & Nakji Bokkeum & Nakji Tang (Live Octopus & Stir-fried Octopus & Octopus Stew)

Sannakji features freshly sliced live octopus, prized for its unique chewy texture and briny taste. It’s typically seasoned with sesame oil and served immediately, providing a thrilling culinary experience. While the sight of squirming tentacles may initially evoke hesitation, the fresh and savory flavor will keep you coming back for more after just one bite.

Nakji Bokkeum showcases tender pieces of octopus stir-fried with vegetables and spicy gochujang sauce, creating a symphony of flavors and textures. It’s often prepared spicier than other stir-fry dishes, making it a must-try for spice enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, Nakji Tang is a hearty stew made with octopus, vegetables, and a flavorful broth, perfect for warming up chilly autumn evenings.

3. Ggotge Jjim & Ggotge Tang (Steamed Swimming Crab & Swimming Crab Soup)

If you’re visiting Korea in the autumn, be sure to taste the plump swimming crab. In the fall, swimming crabs are filled with nutritious ingredients, making them perfect for steaming or making soup.

Ggotge Jjim features succulent swimming crabs steamed to perfection, allowing their sweet and briny flavors to shine. The delicate flesh easily separates from the shell, making it a delightful dish to savor.

Meanwhile, Ggotge Tang captures both flavor and nutrition by simmering generous portions of vegetables in a typical spicy Korean broth. With its rich broth and tender crab meat, it offers comforting warmth on chilly autumn days.

4. Daeha Gui (Grilled Prawn)

During September to November, prawns in Korea undergo spawning, making this period the most flavorful and nutritious, with larger sizes. Especially in female prawns, known as ‘daeha,’ they are rich in roe, enhancing their taste with a deeper and nuttier flavor.

While there are various cooking methods for daeha, such as grilling, steaming, and stewing, my recommended choice is Daeha Gui, or Grilled Prawn with Salt. This dish involves generously layering coarse salt on a flat pan before carefully placing the prawns on top to grill. As they cook, the prawns naturally absorb the savory essence of the salt, resulting in moist and tender prawns with a subtle yet delightful hint of saltiness.

5. Galchi Gui & Galchi Jorim (Grilled Cutlassfish & Braised Cutlassfish)

Galchi, or cutlassfish, is a popular seafood in Korea, known for its savory taste and robust aroma. Galchi Gui, or grilled cutlassfish, is a traditional Korean dish where the fish is grilled over an open flame, resulting in a crispy exterior and moist, tender flesh. The longer it’s grilled, the more intense the savory aroma and flavor of the cutlassfish become.

Galchi Jorim is a braised dish made by simmering cutlassfish with soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and other seasonings. It’s a beloved dish in Korean households for its rich flavor profile and affordability. The cutlassfish absorbs the savory sauce during the braising process, resulting in a dish with a deliciously salty-sweet flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

🌟 Autumn Cuisine Restaurant recommendations

1. Mugyo-dong Yurim Nakji

Located in the heart of Seoul’s bustling downtown area, nestled within the historic food alley of Jongno, stands the renowned “Mugyo-dong Yurim Nakji” restaurant. This establishment is a gem in Seoul’s culinary scene, offering an authentic taste of Korean cuisine, particularly specializing in the delectable small octopus dish known as nakji bokkeum.

As the original flagship location, “Mugyo-dong Yurim Nakji” holds a special place in the hearts of both locals and visitors alike. While the restaurant has expanded with several branches throughout Seoul, there’s an undeniable charm and authenticity to experiencing the flavors of nakji bokkeum at the main restaurant.

Stepping into “Mugyo-dong Yurim Nakji,” diners are greeted with the inviting aroma of freshly cooked octopus, sizzling in savory sauces and spices. Each dish is crafted with precision and care, using only the freshest ingredients sourced locally. The result is a culinary masterpiece that delights the senses and leaves a lasting impression on every palate.

🚩 Location

Room 101, Taesung Building, 22, Sejong-daero 21-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Go to Google map)

2. Chungnam Seosan Ggotgejip (Seosan Flower Crab Restaurant)

Nestled near the Incheon Port pier, “Chungnam Seosan Jib” stands as a beacon of tradition, specializing in the art of cooking flower crabs (Ggotge), a delicacy deeply rooted in Korean culinary heritage. While closer to Incheon Airport than Seoul, this establishment’s reputation transcends geographical boundaries, drawing patrons from far and wide in search of authentic flavors and comforting dishes.

At the heart of their menu lies the signature dish, “Flower Crab Soup” (Ggotge Tang), crafted with care using homemade soybean paste, infusing the broth with richness and depth. Boasting a medley of ingredients including sweet pumpkin, earthy mushrooms, and crisp crown daisy greens, the robust broth perfectly complements the plump, succulent flower crabs, resulting in a harmonious blend of sweet and savory notes that dance on the palate.

For those seeking an extra indulgence, adding ramen noodles or handmade dough flakes to the simmering broth elevates the experience to new heights, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that leave a lasting impression.

In addition to the renowned soup, “Chungnam Seosan Jib” also offers another crowd favorite: “Steamed Flower Crabs” (Ggotge Jjim). Served without any seasoning, this dish allows the natural essence of the flower crabs to shine through, with each tender bite revealing a delicate sweetness that lingers on the tongue. The hearty meat, brimming with flavor, provides a truly satisfying culinary experience that captivates diners with every mouthful.

🚩 Location

Seosan Flower Crab Restaurant, 15, Daeam-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Go to Google map)

🔥Recommend🔥