Banana Milk in South Korea Goes Viral as These 6 Must-Try Korean Foods Transform the Tourist Experience

Written By: Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya is a content writer with a strong academic and professional background in media and communication. She holds an M.Sc in Media Science and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore, with a specialization in Advertising. With over three years of experience in content writing, she brings a blend of research-driven insight and creative storytelling to her work. Alongside her professional role, she is actively engaged in academics, contributing to the field through teaching and scholarly involvement. Her expertise lies in crafting well-structured, engaging, and informative content, supported by a solid foundation in media theory and practical industry knowledge.

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September 8, 2026 5:14 AM

Banana Milk in South Korea is becoming a surprising welcome for global travelers, while six must-try Korean foods are transforming the tourist experience. From the familiar sweetness of banana milk to bold Korean flavors, South Korea offers visitors an exciting food journey at every stop. Moreover, these Korean foods connect travelers with everyday culture, markets, cafés and street-food traditions. Banana milk in South Korea has already captured attention, but the wider Korean food scene offers even more memorable discoveries. Therefore, Travel And Tour World urges travelers to read the entire story and uncover six must-try Korean foods that can make a South Korea trip tastier, richer and unforgettable.

Why Travelers Are Trying Banana Milk First

Banana milk in South Korea is becoming an unexpected arrival ritual for international tourists. Recent sales data show that the drink is moving beyond its traditional image as a Korean convenience-store favorite.

At CU stores around Incheon International Airport, Binggrae banana-flavored milk ranked second among products sold near arrival halls from January through August 17, 2026. It was also the top-selling product across 10 CU departure-area stores. Airport-wide CU sales increased 43.1% year on year.

GS25 is seeing similar demand. One of its four airport stores sells approximately 1,200 bottles daily and has increased inventory more than fivefold, while creating a dedicated central display.

The Viral Banana Milk Latte

Social media has helped create a new reason to try it. Travelers are buying banana milk, an Americano and ice at airport convenience stores before combining them into a banana milk latte. Korea Tourism Organization also highlights this easy convenience-store preparation.

A Practical Airport Tip

Travelers should enjoy the drink before security or check current baggage rules before carrying it onward. Incheon Airport generally limits cabin liquids to containers of 100 milliliters or less inside a 1-liter transparent bag.

For tourists, banana milk therefore offers more than refreshment. It provides an inexpensive and distinctly Korean first experience immediately after landing.

Beyond Banana Milk: 6 Korean Foods and Drinks Tourists Should Try in South Korea

South Korea is increasingly becoming a destination where food itself shapes the travel itinerary.

The Korean government’s 2025 international visitor survey found that culinary tourism was the leading activity considered by prospective visitors to Korea, at 61.7%, ahead of shopping at 57.3%.

That interest is supported by growing global familiarity with Korean cuisine. In a 2025 survey of 11,000 consumers across 22 international cities, 68.6% said they were familiar with Korean food. Among people who had tried Korean food, average satisfaction reached 94.2%, while 80.6% said they intended to eat Korean food again.

The Korean government also found that 65.1% of respondents had either tried Korean food or become interested in it after experiencing Korean cultural content such as K-dramas, K-pop or films.

For travelers, that creates an opportunity to experience Korea through everyday dishes rather than only famous restaurants.

South Korea Food Tourism at a Glance

The 2024 Korean food-industry survey counted 460,219 food-and-beverage service businesses and 44,438 manufacturing businesses.

1. Kimchi: The Essential Korean Side Dish

Kimchi should be near the top of every first-time visitor’s Korean food list.

It is more than a spicy side dish. It represents Korea’s long tradition of fermentation, preservation and seasonal food preparation.

The Korean Tourism Organization describes kimchi as one of the country’s most recognisable foods. Travelers can encounter many varieties rather than a single standard recipe.

Cabbage kimchi is the familiar starting point. However, visitors can also encounter radish-based, cucumber-based and regional versions.

The best way to try it is alongside another Korean meal. A small serving with rice, grilled meat or noodles allows the fermented flavour to complement rather than dominate the meal.

Korea’s government data also demonstrate how strongly kimchi has travelled internationally.

Kimchi exports reached USD 163.6 million in 2024, increasing 5.2% from USD 155.6 million in 2023. The 2024 figure exceeded the previous record of USD 159.9 million recorded in 2021.

The United States received USD 48 million worth of Korean kimchi in 2024, up 20%, while Japan remained a major market at USD 54 million despite a 12.1% decline. Exports to the Netherlands reached USD 9.6 million, increasing 29.9%.

The 2025 international consumer survey further reinforces kimchi’s global position. Korean-style fried chicken ranked first among favourite Korean dishes, while kimchi followed at 9.5% in the latest ranking.

Kimchi five-year data picture

A crucial distinction is necessary. Government publications do not provide a consistent 2020–2024 annual domestic serving-consumption series for kimchi. The following official export figures provide a measurable international-demand indicator.

For tourists, the ideal approach is simple: taste kimchi with rice first, then experiment with kimchi fried rice, kimchi stew or kimchi paired with grilled meat.

2. Ramyeon: Korea’s Instant-Noodle Experience

Ramyeon is one of the easiest Korean foods for international visitors to understand.

It is inexpensive, widely available and deeply connected with everyday Korean eating culture.

The Korea Tourism Organization describes ramyeon as one of Korea’s most typical foods at snack bars and casual eateries. It can be served with eggs, green onions, seafood, bean sprouts and other additions.

Travelers should understand one important difference.

Korean ramyeon generally refers to instant noodles, while Japanese ramen traditionally refers to noodles prepared with a broader range of freshly made components.

The best travel experience is not necessarily a premium restaurant.

A small snack restaurant, convenience store or casual Korean eatery can provide a more everyday experience.

Korea’s international ramyeon boom is enormous.

Exports reached USD 1.2485 billion in 2024, up 31.1% from USD 952.4 million in 2023.

The United States received USD 215.6 million in Korean ramyeon in 2024, an increase of 70.3%. China imported USD 260.5 million, while the Netherlands received USD 91.1 million.

The government has also linked the growth to Korean dramas, films and social-media challenges involving spicy noodles.

Ramyeon five-year demand indicators

These figures measure exports, not domestic servings consumed.

For travelers, the right way to try ramyeon is to begin with a moderate spice level. Adding an egg and spring onion creates a more substantial meal. Korea Tourism Organization also recommends pairing ramyeon with kimchi.

3. Gimbap: Korea’s Portable Travel Meal

Gimbap is particularly useful for travelers because it combines convenience with Korean culinary tradition.

Seaweed surrounds seasoned rice and fillings. Common combinations include vegetables, egg, tuna, bulgogi, kimchi and pork cutlet.

The Korea Tourism Organization identifies gimbap as a long-established Korean snack and meal. It also highlights combinations with ramyeon and tteokbokki.

Visitors should try traditional vegetable gimbap first.

After that, tuna, kimchi or pork-cutlet versions offer a different experience.

Pork-cutlet gimbap is particularly distinctive because crispy fried pork is rolled inside the rice and seaweed with ingredients such as cabbage, pickled radish and egg.

Gimbap has also benefited from international K-content exposure.

Frozen Korean gimbap became increasingly visible in overseas markets, helping drive the broader processed-rice category.

Government data show that Korean processed rice-based food exports rose from USD 138 million in 2020 to USD 301 million in 2024.

Processed rice-food export growth

That represents a rise of roughly 175% between 2019 and 2024.

The category includes more than gimbap. It also covers processed rice products and tteokbokki.

For travelers, gimbap is best eaten fresh rather than treated only as packaged takeaway food. Convenience stores offer accessibility, while specialist gimbap shops provide greater variety.

4. Tteokbokki: The Spicy Street-Food Introduction

Tteokbokki is one of Korea’s most recognisable street foods.

Soft rice cakes are cooked in a spicy, sweet and savoury sauce. Depending on the location and recipe, additional ingredients can include fish cake, vegetables, boiled eggs and other toppings.

Its texture is part of the attraction.

Unlike noodles or rice, the rice cakes are chewy and dense. The sauce then supplies the stronger flavour.

Tteokbokki is particularly suitable for travelers who want a casual street-food experience.

Traditional markets and snack-food restaurants are natural places to look.

Korea Tourism Organization also places tteokbokki among the country’s popular meal-kit and convenience-store food options.

The dish also benefits from the growing international market for processed rice foods.

MAFRA reported that exports of processed rice-based products reached USD 299.2 million in 2024, up 38.4% from USD 217.2 million in 2023.

Earlier government statistics show the longer trajectory:

Tteokbokki is only one component of this category, so these figures must not be described as tteokbokki consumption.

For tourists, start with a small portion if you are not accustomed to chilli. Mild versions can provide a better introduction.

The best combination is often tteokbokki with gimbap. The rice rolls can be dipped into the spicy sauce, a pairing specifically highlighted by the Korea Tourism Organization.

5. Korean-Style Fried Chicken: A Major Global Favourite

Korean-style fried chicken is arguably one of the strongest choices for international travelers who want a familiar food with a distinctly Korean character.

The cooking technique creates crisp chicken, while sauces provide different flavour profiles.

Sweet-spicy, soy-based and other variations can be found across Korea.

The dish has become so important to Korean food tourism that the government launched the K-Chicken Belt Platform in 2026.

The platform features 30 curated chicken-food destinations, selected from more than 2,700 public submissions, local-government recommendations and on-site evaluations.

This is significant for travelers because the experience is being connected directly with regional tourism.

The 2025 overseas Korean-food consumer survey found Korean-style fried chicken was the most popular Korean menu item, at 14%, ahead of kimchi at 9.5%.

An earlier 2023 survey across 18 international cities found that 29.4% of respondents said Korean-style fried chicken was the Korean food they had consumed most frequently during the previous year. Kimchi followed at 28.6% and ramen at 26.9%.

Five-year statistical caution

There is no government series showing annual domestic servings of Korean fried chicken from 2020 through 2024.

Instead, official indicators demonstrate growing internationalisation.

The Korean government also reported that chicken products such as frozen fried chicken and chicken dumplings were being prepared for wider overseas markets.

Travelers should order several flavours when travelling with friends. This makes it easier to compare sauces and textures without committing to a single style.

6. Korean Coffee: The Everyday Beverage Travelers Should Not Miss

Coffee may surprise visitors looking for traditional Korean food.

Yet Korea’s modern coffee culture has become an important part of everyday life.

MAFRA and the Korea Rural Economic Institute reported in August 2026 that Korea’s domestic coffee market reached approximately KRW 3.74 trillion in 2024.

That represented a 35.6% increase compared with 2018, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%.

The scale of the café sector is equally striking.

Korea had 106,452 coffee shops in 2023, up 5.7% from the previous year. Coffee shops accounted for 13.4% of all food-service establishments, compared with 9.3% in 2018.

The market is also shifting toward roasted coffee.

Roasted coffee products, including whole and ground beans, reached approximately KRW 1.32 trillion in 2024, growing at an average annual rate of 15.8% over six years. Meanwhile, coffee-mix products declined at an average annual rate of 0.5%.

Korean coffee retail-market comparison

Official processed-food market research provides this five-year comparable series.

The figures come from processed-food market research using Euromonitor data converted at the September 23, 2024 exchange rate.

For tourists, the best way to experience Korean coffee is to visit both styles.

Try a speciality coffee shop for roasted beans.

Then compare it with a simple convenience-store coffee or affordable chain.

This contrast explains why Korean coffee culture is particularly interesting: premium and value-focused consumption now exist side by side.

Five-Year Comparison: What the Data Actually Shows

The following table brings together the strongest comparable official indicators rather than pretending that export or retail figures represent servings consumed.

The Bigger Travel Trend Behind These Foods

These foods are not isolated tourist curiosities.

They fit a much larger shift in how visitors experience South Korea.

The country’s government has begun connecting food directly with regional tourism. In 2026, MAFRA introduced the K-Gastronomy Journey, linking food experiences with attractions, traditional markets, festivals and rural destinations.

The programme includes food-focused routes, Korean traditional alcoholic-beverage experiences, kimchi activities and regional chicken destinations.

The government also plans food events including the K-Food Festa, Hansik Festa, Food Week Korea, K-Sool Festival and Kimchi Festival during 2026.

For international tourists, this creates an important opportunity.

Instead of visiting Seoul only for palaces, shopping and K-pop attractions, travelers can build itineraries around food.

A morning can begin with gimbap and coffee.

A market visit can introduce tteokbokki and kimchi.

An evening can finish with Korean-style fried chicken.

Ramyeon can provide a simple late-night meal.

Banana milk can remain the memorable convenience-store drink that started the journey.

A Practical Food Trail for First-Time Visitors

The broader statistics support making food a central part of a South Korea itinerary. Culinary tourism already ranks first among activities considered by prospective visitors, while Korean food satisfaction among surveyed international consumers remains exceptionally high.

For travelers, the most meaningful approach is therefore not to chase every viral dish.

Instead, combine one traditional fermented food, one street food, one convenience-store food, one portable meal, one Korean-style fast-food experience and one modern café experience.

That gives visitors a much wider understanding of South Korea than a single restaurant meal.

And for tourists beginning with banana milk at the airport, these six foods and beverages provide a natural route from a simple convenience-store purchase into the much larger world of Korean food culture.

Conclusion

South Korea’s banana milk craze offers travelers a simple and memorable introduction to the country’s food culture. However, the experience does not end with one iconic drink. From kimchi and gimbap to tteokbokki, ramyeon, Korean fried chicken and café coffee, each food reveals a different side of Korean life. Together, these six must-try Korean foods can turn an ordinary holiday into a richer culinary journey. For international tourists, exploring local markets, convenience stores, cafés and casual restaurants provides an easy way to discover authentic flavours. As South Korea’s food tourism continues to grow, travelers have even more reasons to taste the country beyond its famous attractions.