Gyodong Ssambap

Traditional KoreanFeatured by Mikey Chen

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Gyodong Ssambap in the historic Gyodong neighborhood of Gyeongju offers a traditional ssambap meal in one of Korea's most culturally significant cities. Ssambap involves wrapping seasoned rice, grilled or braised meat, and assorted banchan in fresh lettuce or perilla leaves — a communal, hands-on style of eating deeply rooted in Korean food culture. Gyeongju, often called the museum without walls for its density of Silla dynasty historical sites, has a quieter, more traditional pace than Seoul, and dining here feels like a fitting complement to a day spent visiting ancient tombs and temples.