For food enthusiasts, there’s a special joy in watching K-dramas, where scene after scene features delicious food. Korean dramas about food are sure to leave you hungry and drooling through your screens!
Whether it’s bringing characters closer together or setting the stage, food, restaurants, and cooking are integral to many K-dramas. Late-night binge-watching inevitably leads to stomachs growling. The abundance of food-centric K-dramas reflects a cultural love for eating and socializing, with some focusing on food as a side plot and others entirely focused on this theme.
Top 7 mouth-watering Korean dramas about food to check out–
1. Mr. Queen: A Culinary Time-Travel Adventure
Cast: Shin Hye Sun, Kim Jung Hyun, Na In Woo, Choi Jin Hyuk
IMDB Rating: 8.6
Release Year: 2020
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Historical
Mr. Queen is a delightful blend of comedy, drama, and food. The story follows Jang Bong Hwan (played by Choi Jin Hyuk), a modern-day chef who finds himself mysteriously transported back in time after a near-death experience. He awakens in the body of Kim So Yong (played by Shin Hye Sun), a queen in the Joseon era.
Bong Hwan’s modern and bold personality clashes humorously with the palace’s strict norms and expectations. While the mystery of how he ended up in So Yong’s body and his quest to return to his own time are central to the plot, his cooking skills shine through. As the palace chef, he prepares delicious food using his contemporary culinary expertise, even in the historical setting.
2. Wok of Love: A Delicious Journey of Ambition and Romance
Cast: Lee Junho, Jang Hyuk, Jung Ryeo Won
IMDB Rating: 7.4
Release Year: 2018
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
In Wok of Love, Seo Poong (played by Lee Junho) is a talented chef who loses his prestigious job at a hotel and ends up working at a struggling Chinese restaurant. Hired by Doo Chil Seong (played by Jang Hyuk), Poong takes on the challenge of revitalizing the restaurant.
Along the way, he recruits Dan Sae Woo (played by Jung Ryeo Won) as a server, and their professional relationship soon blossoms into romance. This complicates matters for Chil Seong, who also has feelings for Sae Woo. The drama is a joy to watch for multiple reasons, including the chemistry between the lead actors and the delightful bromance between Poong and Chil Seong.
3. Let’s Eat Series: Celebrating the Joy of Food
Cast: Lee Soo Kyung, Yoon Doo Joon, Shim Hyung Tak, Yoon So Hee
IMDB Rating: 7.6
Release Year: 2013
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Let’s Eat revolves around the simple pleasure of characters enjoying their meals. The series spans three parts, with the first installment focusing on Lee Soo Kyung (played by Lee Soo Kyung), a single woman who lives alone and has a passion for gourmet food.
The series is a favorite among viewers because it features different characters savoring their favorite Korean dishes. Each part delves into various storylines centered around Goo Dae Young (played by Yoon Doo Joon), offering an emotional rollercoaster ride from love to heartbreak and new beginnings.
4. Chocolate: A Heartwarming Tale of Love and Food
Cast: Yoon Kye Sang, Yoo Teo, Jang Seung Jo, Ha Ji Won
IMDB Rating: 7.5
Release Year: 2020
Genre: Romance, Drama
Chocolate tells the story of childhood friends Lee Kang (played by Yoon Kye Sang) and Moon Cha Young (played by Ha Ji Won) who are separated by tragic events and reunite as adults. Kang becomes a successful brain surgeon, while Cha Young follows her passion to become a chef.
Their reunion is complicated by Kang’s struggle to remember Cha Young, who recognizes him instantly. The series beautifully portrays their journey of confronting past traumas. Alongside the compelling storyline, Cha Young’s mouthwatering meals add a flavorful dimension to the drama.
5. Link: Eat Love Kill: A Unique Blend of Romance and Mystery
Cast: Moon Ga Young, Yeo Jin Goo
IMDB Rating: 7.3
Release Year: 2022
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Comedy, Drama
Link: Eat Love Kill captivated viewers with its mix of mystery, romance, and comedy. The drama explores the unique connection between executive chef Eun Gye Hoon (played by Yeo Jin Goo) and his employee Noh Da Hyun (played by Moon Ga Young). Gye Hoon experiences all of Da Hyun’s emotions, creating a strange bond between them.
The series follows Gye Hoon as he returns to his hometown to open a new restaurant, leading to new beginnings. Their bond over food brings them closer, and Da Hyun’s passion for food adds a relatable charm, often seen craving Gye Hoon’s delicious creations.
6. Pasta: A Flavorful Romance in the Kitchen
Cast: Lee Sun Kyun, Gong Hyo Jin, Choi Min
IMDB Rating: 7.5
Release Year: 2010
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Pasta focuses on the world of pasta, with Lee Sun Kyun playing the role of a head chef at a pasta restaurant. He initially dismisses Seo Yoo Kyung (played by Gong Hyo Jin) due to her lack of culinary skills. Their relationship begins on unfriendly terms but evolves into a romantic journey as they work together in the kitchen.
The show features Lee Sun Kyun’s mastery of pasta-making and Gong Hyo Jin’s talent for charming audiences, making it impossible to watch without craving delicious pasta.
7. Oh My Ghost: A Supernatural Culinary Delight
Cast: Park Bo Young, Jo Jung Suk, Kim Seul Gi, Kwak Si Yang
IMDB Rating: 8.0
Release Year: 2015
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Horror, Fantasy
Oh My Ghost centers around Na Bong Sun (played by Park Bo Young), a shy girl working at a restaurant where she frequently clashes with the head chef. She can see ghosts, a gift inherited from her grandmother. Her life changes when she becomes possessed by the ghost of Shin Soon Ae (played by Kim Seul Gi).
This transformation makes Bong Sun confident and catches the eye of her boss, Kang Sun Woo (played by Jo Jung Suk), adding complexity to the love triangle. The series also features significant scenes set in the kitchen, reflecting the realities of the industry.
These Korean dramas about food will surely make your mouth water and give you some good cooking inspiration. One of the greatest benefits of K-dramas that focus on food, aside from the enticing visuals, is the heightened exposure and fascination with East Asian cuisine. Don’t forget to have something delicious to snack on while you indulge in these mouthwatering series!
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