맛 [MAT]: Taste of Korea, Luxury Culinary Journey
Travel through Seoul to Jeju Island on unique Korean culinary tour shaped by flavor, heritage, and discovery. From hidden alleyway eateries to Michelin-starred dining, each stop reveals a new dimension of the Korean culinary scene. Along the way, uncover the stories and cultural depth behind every dish.
WHEN
All seasons possible
(Activities will change)
PRICE
From £17,500 excl. flights
(based on 2 ppl sharing)
HOW LONG
12 nights
(ideal duration)
Day 1: Ease into Korean Culinary Scene
Upon arrival in Korea, your private driver will escort you to your home for the next three nights: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, located just moments from Gwanghwamun and the grand palaces of historic Seoul.
First day intentionally left unhurried, you may wish to ease into the city at the hotel’s award-winning spa, widely regarded as one of the finest in Korea. Afterwards, enjoy your first meal in this Korean culinary tour. We serve you a traditional Korean menu offers a gentle and comforting start after a long flight.
Then spend the rest of the evening in the quiet comfort of your room, as Seoul reveals itself in layers beyond the window—royal rooftops, distant mountains, and the calm rhythm of the city settling into night.
Day 3: Ingredients From Korean Nature
Many travelers assume the Korean culinary tour mostly focuses on spicy and meat-heavy. However, one of its most elegant traditions comes from temple cuisine, where seasonal vegetables and quiet refinement take center stage.
You will discover this side of Korea through a private temple food experience led by a Buddhist monk, preparing your own lunch with beautiful local ingredients. Afterwards, enjoy a tea-tasting session visiting Bongeunsa in Gangnam, one of Seoul’s most atmospheric temples.
The day ends with a Michelin-starred temple food dinner, offering a beautifully refined expression of this remarkable Korean culinary culture.
Day 2: Kimchi and Gogi
With an expert local guide, you will begin in Seoul’s historic quarter, winding through a graceful maze of traditional homes set between royal palaces. Your morning continues in a private kimchi-making session offers a hands-on introduction to one of the foundations of Korean cuisine.
From there, continue through revealing a different layer of Seoul’s character, before arriving at Majang Market, the largest meat market in Asia. Here, you will enjoy an authentic Korean barbecue experience at its source, where exceptional cuts and a lively local atmosphere come together.
The day concludes at a world-class cocktail bar, where Korean traditional spirits are reimagined with refinement and contemporary flair.
Day 4: From Heritage Brewing to Rural Serenity
For your Korean culinary tour beyond Seoul, a private guide will accompany you into Chungnam for a thoughtfully curated day. Begin at a century-old makgeolli brewery, once renowned for supplying Cheong Wa Dae, where you will enjoy a private lotus-leaf makgeolli-making experience.
In the afternoon, discover one of Korea’s richest agricultural regions with a visit to an elegant dairy farm. Here, you may try milking a cow, make fresh ice cream, or simply stroll through the beautiful farmland.
By evening, arrive in a traditional onsen town, where the day concludes in total ease—with time to soak, unwind, and settle into the quiet charm of the region.
Day 6: Night at Busan
After your inland farm experiences, your Korean culinary tour turns to Korea’s vibrant coastal flavors in Busan, a city celebrated for its distinct culinary identity.
Shaped by an abundance of fresh seafood, the natural richness of the Nakdong River and surrounding mountains, and the enduring influence of Korea wartime refugee culture, Busan offers a cuisine defined by depth, character, and exceptional freshness.
To begin, take in the glittering evening panorama of Haeundae and Marine City – one of Korea’s most iconic seaside views – from the comfort of Park Hyatt Busan.
Day 5: The Golden Loess Apple
Chungnam is celebrated for its golden loess apples, a prized heritage cultivated for over a century and recognized among Korea’s finest.
During your Korean culinary tour, you will explore a charming apple estate with 600 trees and its boutique apple winery, where you can enjoy apple picking and a hands-on apple pie making experience.
Afterward, savor lunch at a local marketplace for an authentic taste of small-town Korea before boarding a high-speed train to Busan.
Day 7: Korean Influence in Japanese Food
Cuisine reflects not only a region’s climate, but also the history of its culinary culture. Korea and Japan have long shared rich cultural and gastronomic exchange, and Busan, given its proximity to Japan, reveals a particularly distinctive Japanese influence.
One notable delicacy is myeongran – known in Japanese as mentaiko – seasoned cod roe, a prized ingredient in both Korean and Japanese cuisine. Often regarded as Japanese, it in fact has Korean origins.
We invite you to discover cod roe in its place of origin, where you will explore its history and cultural significance while tasting a refined selection of varieties. Your day will end with Korean Japanese fine-dining experience.
Day 9: Harvesting Seafood
From Busan, you will fly to Jeju, where a private chauffeur will meet you on arrival and escort you to JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa. After time to relax and settle into the hotel, you will be introduced to one of the island’s most remarkable traditions: a private experience with the legendary haenyeo, Jeju’s women free-divers, who have gathered seafood from these waters for generations.
After several days immersed in Korea’s seafood culture, this experience offers a deeper understanding of the close relationship between ingredient and table, set against the natural beauty of Jeju’s dramatic coastline. In the evening, enjoy a refined dinner highlighting the distinct flavors of traditional Jeju cuisine, thoughtfully prepared with the island’s celebrated local ingredients.
Day 8: From the Sea
It is time to discover Korea’s seafood culture at its source with a visit to Jagalchi Market, the country’s most iconic seafood market. Here, you will encounter an extraordinary display of the freshest daily catch, brought in straight from the sea.
Rich in character and history, Jagalchi rose in the years following the Korean War alongside the resilient 자갈치 아지매 [Jagalchi Ajumma].
From a humble street market, it has evolved into one of Busan’s most celebrated cultural and culinary landmarks, now home to hundreds of vendors showcasing the freshest seafood in Korea.
Day 10: Jeju’s Artisanal Heritage
Jeju Island is defined by a serene, unhurried way of life, where wellness and cuisine are deeply intertwined. Renowned for its pristine environment and exceptional organic tea, the island invites a more mindful pace. You will visit an intimate family-owned tea estate for tea ceremony, offering a graceful introduction to Jeju’s quiet elegance and artisanal heritage.
Later, immerse yourself in the island’s extraordinary natural beauty on horseback, riding through the landscapes shaped by Hallasan and the surrounding oreum volcanic hills. This gentle journey offers a rare and evocative way to experience Jeju’s elemental charm.
Day 12: Until the Next Time
Your private chauffeur will escort you to the airport for your departure. Yet, this is not the complete end of this luxury Korean culinary tour.
Korea is a land of many layers, each offering new perspectives, hidden destinations, and refined experiences. We look forward to welcoming you again to explore its depth through new journeys, exceptional locations, and our continued commitment to thoughtful, personalized service.
Day 11: Journey Comes Full Circle
After a relaxed morning immersed in Jeju’s natural beauty, you will return to Seoul, where your journey first began. Upon arrival, check in to the Josun Palance, A Luxury Collection Hotel, then take time to restore and unwind with a world-class spa experience—the perfect pause after your Korean culinary tour.
In the evening, you will be taken to a Michelin-starred restaurant, where the journey comes full circle. Here, you will experience the finest expression of the ingredients, traditions, and regions you have encountered throughout your travels, brought together in a truly exceptional final dining experience.
