9-Day Tasty Journey Round Korea

Seoul → Geumsan → Daedunsan → Gunsan — Meet your private guide in Seoul and head south to Geumsan, a town closely associated with Korea's ginseng trade. Walk through the Ginseng and Herbal Medicine Market to see fresh roots, dried herbs and the ingredients that connect Korean cooking with everyday ideas of nourishment. Continue to Daedunsan Provincial Park, where a cable-car ride brings you into a landscape of steep granite peaks. Explore the mountain paths and suspension bridge, with particularly colorful scenery in autumn, before continuing to Gunsan.

Food experience: Samgyetang is a whole young chicken gently simmered with ginseng, glutinous rice, garlic and jujube. The tender meat and warming broth offer a gentle introduction to Korean flavors, with salt added to taste. At the market, look out for deep-fried ginseng: its crisp coating contrasts with the root's distinctive earthy, slightly bitter flavor.

Gunsan → Gogunsan Islands → Jeonju — Travel into the Gogunsan archipelago, where bridges link small island communities and open up views of fishing boats, sheltered coves and the western sea. Explore Seonyudo's coastal scenery and see the Saemangeum Seawall before continuing inland to Jeonju. In the Hanok Village, wander through tiled-roof lanes and discover a city known for traditional houses, crafts and its rich food culture. This day brings together the everyday landscapes of the coast and the old streets of Jeonju.

Food experience: Jeonju bibimbap brings rice, an assortment of seasoned vegetables and garnishes together in one colorful bowl. Mix everything thoroughly so that the textures and flavors combine, adding gochujang to suit your taste. Sesame oil gives a nutty aroma, while the accompanying soup and banchan introduce the variety of a Korean meal. Ingredients and garnishes vary by restaurant.

Jeonju → Gurye → Suncheon — Leave Jeonju for Gurye and visit Saseongam Hermitage, perched against a rocky mountainside with broad views over the surrounding countryside. Continue to Naganeupseong, a walled village where thatched houses and narrow lanes preserve the feel of a traditional rural community. At Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, follow the paths beside expansive reed beds and tidal flats. The contrast between the hillside hermitage, village life and coastal wetlands makes this a particularly varied day.

Food experience: Try the itinerary's Suncheon-style soy-sauce duck bulgogi. Sliced duck is marinated and cooked with vegetables, producing a savory dish with a lightly sweet soy-based flavor. Enjoy the meat with rice and the small side dishes served alongside it; leafy wraps may also be provided. Your guide can explain the seasonings and help you compare this preparation with other Korean barbecue dishes.

Suncheon → Tongyeong → Busan — Follow the southern coast to Tongyeong. Ride the Hallyeo Waterway Cable Car up Mt. Mireuksan for a panorama of islands scattered across the sea, then stroll through the painted alleys of Dongpirang Mural Village. The town's working waterfront reveals the connection between fishing and local daily life. Continue to Busan for city views from Hwangnyeongsan and a visit to Jagalchi Fish Market, where tanks and seafood stalls bring the port city's food culture into focus.

Food experience: Discover Korean seafood traditions, including hoe, fish served in delicate raw slices with dipping sauces, and maeuntang, a warming spicy fish soup. Available seafood changes with the catch. Tongyeong is also associated with fish cakes and kkulppang, a sweet glazed bread commonly filled with red-bean paste. Market snacks and an optional seafood dinner at Jagalchi are additional purchases; dinner remains excluded.

Busan — Spend a full day exploring Busan's coastal scenery and modern history. Walk beside Haeundae Beach and around Dongbaekseom, where the sea views open toward the city's waterfront skyline. Visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist temple set above a rocky shoreline, then pause at the UN Memorial Cemetery to reflect on the Korean War. Continue to Gamcheon Culture Village, where colorful homes and steep lanes reveal the history of a hillside neighborhood shaped by refugees and later creative renewal.

Food experience: Enjoy Korean pork barbecue, with bite-sized pieces cooked on a tabletop grill. Make a ssam by wrapping meat in a lettuce or perilla leaf and adding a little ssamjang; garlic, kimchi and other side dishes add different flavors and textures. Your guide will show you how to combine the accompaniments and enjoy the meal at your own pace.

Busan → Gyeongju — Travel to Gyeongju, the former capital of the Silla Kingdom. Visit Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto to discover the architecture and Buddhist artistry associated with this ancient city. At Gyeongju National Museum, place the day's monuments in context through surviving objects from the Silla period. Continue to Tumuli Park and Cheomseongdae, then explore Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, where water, pavilions and gardens evoke the setting of a royal palace.

Food experience: Hanjeongsik introduces the Korean table as a collection of complementary dishes. Rice and soup arrive with an assortment of vegetables, kimchi and other seasonal banchan, with meat or fish dishes depending on the restaurant's menu. Taste a little of each and notice the contrasts between fermented, fresh, grilled and gently seasoned foods. The variety is central to the experience; the exact selection changes with the season.

Gyeongju → Andong — Continue to Andong and explore Hahoe Folk Village, where tile-roofed homes, thatched houses and village lanes reflect generations of family and Confucian traditions. When the performance schedule permits, watch a Hahoe mask dance and learn how humor and satire are expressed through its characters. Visit the riverside setting of Museom Village before browsing Andong Traditional Market, where food stalls and long-established shops add another perspective on local life.

Food experience: Andong jjimdak is chicken braised in a soy-based sauce with vegetables and glass noodles. Potatoes absorb the savory sauce, and the noodles become glossy as they cook with the chicken. Although the dark sauce may look mild, chilies can give it a noticeable kick, so ask your guide about adjusting the heat. It is usually shared from a large platter and eaten with rice.

Andong → V-Train → Taebaek → Sokcho — Head into the mountain interior for the V-Train, a scenic railway journey through valleys and forested slopes. The slower pace allows time to appreciate the changing landscape between small rural stations. Continue to Taebaek to discover the heritage of a mountain town associated with Korea's coal industry. Travel onward to Sokcho, browse the lively Central Market, and cross the narrow waterway on the traditional Gaetbae Boat, linking the day's mountain scenery with the atmosphere of the east coast.

Food experience: Today's featured meal is grilled hanwoo, Korean beef enjoyed for its rich flavor. Simple grilling lets you appreciate the meat itself, with dipping condiments and side dishes served alongside. At Sokcho's market, your guide can introduce the foods on display and help you choose extra snacks if you wish. Market purchases are separate from the included lunch.

Sokcho → Seoraksan → Seoul — Spend the final day among Seoraksan's granite scenery. Walk along Jujeongol Valley toward Yongso Waterfall, following the stream through forest and striking rock formations. Continue to the Sogongwon area for the cable car to Gwongeumseong and visit Sinheungsa Temple with its large bronze Buddha. These visits involve different parts of the national park, with transfers between them. After the mountain excursion and your final regional meal, return to Seoul to complete the nine-day journey.

Food experience: Enjoy makguksu, buckwheat noodles with a pleasantly earthy flavor, served in a cool broth or with seasoning according to the restaurant's style. Vinegar, mustard or sauce can be added gradually to suit your taste. Pair the noodles with suyuk, tender slices of boiled pork served with accompaniments. The combination of refreshing noodles and softly cooked meat makes a satisfying conclusion to the tour.