A Culinary Journey from Seoul to Busan

9 days from £7,600 per person

• Seoul
• Jeonju
• Busan

This immersive journey is the perfect introduction to South Korea’s rich culinary heritage, a vibrant exploration of taste and tradition. From Seoul’s royal palaces and lively food markets, to Jeonju’s time-honoured recipes and Busan’s coastal bounty, you’ll discover how Korea’s cuisine reflects the landscapes, history and philosophy of its people. Through private cooking classes, expert-led tastings and intimate encounters with local chefs and artisans, this tour invites you to experience Korea not just through its sights, but through the flavours and rituals that define its culture.

Your adventure begins in Seoul, a city where royal palaces and buzzing markets coexist with sleek contemporary design. Explore Gyeongbok Palace, the grandest of the Joseon Dynasty palaces, before stepping into a beautifully restored hanok for a private cooking class. Learn to prepare traditional dishes under the guidance of a chef with a PhD in Korean food history, then wander through a bustling local market to see the seasonal produce, fermented sauces and spices that form the backbone of Korean cuisine. The day ends with a Galbi barbecue dinner, where marinated beef ribs sizzle over charcoal, served alongside kimchi and banchan.

The following day, stroll the picturesque lanes of Bukchon Hanok Village with a Korean history expert, and enjoy a royal cuisine lunch that showcases the refined dishes once prepared for Joseon kings. Continue to the National Museum of Korea, where treasures from prehistoric metalwork to intricate ceramics provide a chronological journey through the nation’s culinary and cultural heritage. In the evening, a guided tour of Gwangjang Market introduces you to Korea’s famed street foods, from mungbean pancakes and hand-pulled noodles to spicy marinated crab, giving a lively, sensory insight into Seoul’s everyday food culture.

Next, travel by high-speed train to Jeonju, celebrated for its hanok village and as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Here, a private kimchi-making class offers hands-on experience with Korea’s iconic fermented dish, while a dinner of Jeonju Bibimbap highlights the region’s fresh, locally sourced vegetables and traditional preparation techniques. You’ll also explore the art of jang, Korea’s fermented sauces, in a workshop led by a master, deepening your understanding of the flavors that define Korean cuisine.

The tour ends in Busan, where the seafood flavours shape the city’s culinary spirit. Meet the legendary Haenyeo divers and sample their fresh catch, visit Jagalchi Market to taste the city’s vibrant seafood culture, and walk the dramatic Oryukdo Skywalk. A day trip to Gyeongju offers a glimpse into Korea’s royal past, including Bulguksa Temple, Daereungwon Tomb Complex and a historic lunch in a Shilla dynasty princess’s home.

This is purely a suggested itinerary, it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your own luxury tailor-made holiday to South Korea.

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller