Description: A 2025 survey of 500 adults in Japan reveals the ten favorite Korean dishes. See the exact percentages, younger people's picks and why a separate overseas survey names a different champion.
You might expect fiery chicken glazed in red sauce, with a mountain of melted cheese, to win any Korean-food contest. Yet a Japanese survey named bibimbap first at 42.8%, followed by savory Korean pancakes at 31.0% and cold noodles at 27.8%.[1] The cheese made a grand entrance; the rice quietly carried off the trophy.
Japan's top ten Korean foods
| Rank | Dish | Selected by respondents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bibimbap, mixed rice bowl | 42.8% |
| 2 | Savory Korean pancakes, jeon | 31.0% |
| 3 | Cold noodles, naengmyeon | 27.8% |
| 4 | Korean ramen and packaged noodles | 23.6% |
| 5 | Bulgogi | 23.2% |
| 6 | Korean stews, including sundubu | 21.4% |
| 7 | Gimbap | 20.4% |
| Joint 8 | Samgyeopsal, grilled pork belly | 19.4% |
| Joint 8 | Namul, seasoned vegetables | 19.4% |
| 10 | Cheese dakgalbi | 18.8% |
NAC Corporation surveyed 500 adults aged 20 and above in Japan online on October 27, 2025. Respondents could choose multiple favorite dishes.[1] These are preferences, not restaurant sales or market shares. Bibimbap does not own 42.8% of the food economy. That's a lot of responsibility for a rice bowl.
Why are the everyday dishes so strong?
Bibimbap puts rice, vegetables and toppings together; pancakes are easy to share; cold noodles work beautifully after barbecue or on warm days. These are plausible advantages of the dishes, not causes established by the survey. Packaged noodles and gimbap also show that Korean food can mean a quick everyday meal, not only a dramatic communal grill.
Young respondents change the podium
Among 50 women in their twenties, yangnyeom chicken and cheese dakgalbi tied at 34.0% each. Among 50 men in their twenties, yangnyeom chicken, cold noodles and bibimbap tied at 18.0% each.[1]
So the national ranking says rice, while younger respondents stage a chicken rebellion. The men's podium needs three gold medals. Each subgroup contains just 50 people, so the pattern describes this sample, not everyone in a generation.
Overseas, chicken takes the crown
A separate 2025 survey conducted across 22 major cities outside Korea with 11,000 respondents placed Korean-style chicken first at 14.0%, followed by kimchi at 9.5% and bibimbap at 8.2%.[2][3]
Japan's first three: rice, pancakes, noodles. Overseas: chicken, kimchi, rice. Bibimbap crossed the border and came back with bronze.
The surveys differ in participants, questions and choices, so their percentages cannot be compared directly. The second is a survey of overseas consumers, not of residents of South Korea.
What should you actually eat?
Want a full meal in one bowl? Bibimbap. Sharing with friends? Jeon or samgyeopsal. Something refreshing? Cold noodles. Sweet, spicy and rich? Yangnyeom chicken or cheese dakgalbi. Fast and convenient? Gimbap or ramyeon. Something warm? A Korean stew. Bulgogi and namul are also worth a look if you prefer gentler flavors; check a restaurant's spice levels and allergens.
The champion depends on the question
Bibimbap led this Japanese survey; Korean chicken led the separate overseas survey. The important question is who was asked, where and how. But at dinner the ultimate champion is always the friend who says, “Everything looks good. Shall we order all of it?”
