KoreaClear · Travel answer

Which Korean dishes are not spicy?

Short answer

Start with plain seolleongtang (ox-bone soup) or soy-sauce beef bulgogi. Ask for no chilli and keep spicy sauces separate; the restaurant must confirm its own recipe.

What to do

Look for 설렁탕 (seolleongtang) or 간장 양념 소불고기 (soy-sauce beef bulgogi) on the menu.
Show: 매운 음식을 못 먹어요. 고추, 고춧가루, 고추장 없이 가능한가요? — I cannot eat spicy food. Can this be made without chilli, chilli powder or chilli paste?
Ask before ordering. Request 매운 소스는 따로 주세요 — Please serve spicy sauce separately. If the base or marinade is already spicy, choose a different dish.

Check before relying on this

The shortlist describes standard preparations from official tourism information. Variations, garnishes and side dishes still need checking.
Requesting less spicy does not necessarily mean no chilli. State your requirement explicitly.

More details and examples Expand

Seolleongtang — 설렁탕

Ox-bone and beef soup. The Korea Tourism Organization describes a milky broth seasoned with salt, pepper and spring onion. Ask for the plain soup with no chilli seasoning; do not assume the side dishes are mild.

Soy-sauce beef bulgogi — 간장 양념 소불고기

Ask specifically for the soy-sauce beef version. KTO describes its soy-sauce seasoning as non-spicy. Confirm that the restaurant is not serving a spicy variation.

Point-and-show Korean

이 음식에 고추나 매운 양념이 들어가나요? = Does this dish contain chilli or spicy seasoning? 이미 양념되어 있나요? = Is it already seasoned? 맵지 않은 메뉴를 추천해 주세요. = Please recommend a non-spicy dish.

Practical detail and remaining limits

Ask for the broth or marinade to be checked before ordering. Side dishes may be spicy even when the main dish is mild; requesting sauce on the side works only when it has not already been mixed in.

Sources and provider examples

External sources may use another language.

Sources last checked: 2026-09-30. Rules, hours and services can change.