🍱 2025 Top Korean Rest Area Foods | Top 15 Rest Area Dishes Worth the Drive awarded by 3025 Korean Highway Food Festival

Source: Korea Expressway Corporation, 2025 Highway Food Festa

🚗 Rest Areas Are Now Travel Destinations

The 2025 Highway Food Festa was held at the headquarters of the Korea Expressway Corporation in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province.
This annual event celebrated the best dishes from highway rest areas across Korea, highlighting meals made with locally sourced Korean ingredients.

The judging criteria included taste, quality, use of local produce, presentation, creativity, and price — turning ordinary highway food into something closer to fine regional dining.

🥇 Grand Prize: Jukjeon Rest Area (Seoul-bound)

Yongin Seongsan Pork Bone Soup

The champion dish came from Jukjeon Rest Area on the Gyeongbu Expressway.
Its signature Yongin Seongsan Pork Bone Soup uses Seongsan Herbal Pork, a local specialty raised on a diet of over 30 medicinal herbs such as ginseng, angelica root, and licorice for 90 days.
The broth is deep and clean, and the meat is tender — a bowl that captures the pride of local farmers.

🥈 Excellence Awards

Iksan Mireuksaji Rest Area (toward Cheonan)  – Mama Tendon (Tempura Rice Bowl)
A vibrant bowl topped with crispy fried shrimp, pumpkin, sweet potato, and green chili — all sourced from the Iksan region.
The sweet and savory flavor harmony makes it one of the most beloved comfort dishes on the road.

Chilgok Rest Area (toward Busan) – Waegwan Handmade Sausage Army Stew
Made with handmade sausages from Benedictine Waegwan Abbey, founded by German monks over 70 years ago.
Gourmets and expats alike praise it as “authentic German flavor, right here in Korea.”

🥉 Merit Awards

Hampyeong Nabi Rest Area (toward Muan) – Muan Onion & Octopus Stir-Fry Rice
A fiery stir-fry of onion, octopus, and pork — the name “Bulpae” (Unbeatable) says it all.

Hongcheon Rest Area (toward Seoul) – Corn Nutritious Meal set
Rice cooked with local glutinous corn, served with seasoned mountain vegetables, soybean paste stew, and bulgogi — a wholesome countryside-style meal.

Seoul Mannam Square Rest Area – Maljukgeori Pork Dongpa Rice Bowl
Softly braised pork belly simmered to perfection in sweet soy sauce.
It’s tender enough for kids and seniors alike — a true family favorite.

🍱 Honorable Mentions – 9 Local Favorites

Ansan Rest Area – Daebudo Grape Chili Paste Bibimbap
A creative bibimbap using patented Daebudo grape chili paste for a subtly sweet-spicy kick.

Hongcheongang Rest Area (toward Chuncheon) – Hongcheon Soy Tofu Cold Noodles
A chewy, tangy noodle dish topped with local tofu and fried dumplings — especially popular among female travelers.

Chiak Rest Area (toward Busan) – Chiaksan Mulberry Leaf & King Oyster Mushroom Rice
A fragrant vegetarian dish blending mulberry leaves and thick mushrooms, seasoned with soy sauce.

Jinan Maisan Rest Area (toward Jangsu) – Jinan Soy Tofu Spicy Soup
Rich broth made with 100% local soybeans and Korean black pork in a light duck bone stock — hearty and deeply satisfying.

Gimcheon Rest Area (toward Seoul) – Plum Pork Rice Bowl
Features premium black pork paired with a refreshing plum sauce salad made from local Gimcheon plums.

Cheonan Samgeori Rest Area (toward Seoul) – Soybean Paste Walnut Bibimbap
An umami-rich blend of earthy soybean paste and crunchy domestic walnuts.

Munsan Rest Area (Jinju, Namhae Expressway) – Nongae Zucchini Stew
Jinju produces over 60% of Korea’s zucchini, and this dish showcases its sweetness.
The name “Nongae” honors a local heroine — a symbol of Jinju’s pride.

Jangheung Jeongnanjin Rest Area – Hovenia & Seaweed Chicken Soup
A rejuvenating half-chicken soup made with hovenia and seaweed — two of Jangheung’s nine famed local ingredients.

Gyeongju Rest Area (toward Busan) – Gyeongju Hanwoo Cold Raw Beef Soup
Fresh, lean Korean beef served in an icy, tangy broth topped with crisp pear and cucumber. A perfect dish to beat the heat during long drives

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🌿 Lucia’s Tip – Tasty Road Trip Routes

🚙 Seoul → Gyeongju Route
Dugjeon → Chilgok → Gyeongju Rest Area = “Southern Gourmet Highway”
Start with hearty pork bone soup, follow with sausage army stew, and finish with refreshing Hanwoo cold soup.

🐮 Gangwon Route (Seoul → Hongcheon → Chiak)
Corn set meal + Mulberry mushroom rice — a nutritious duo for a mountain escape.
After the drive, enjoy a simple but heartwarming rest stop meal.

💬 Comment from Korea Expressway Corporation

“Rest areas are no longer just pit stops —
they’re destinations that showcase the taste and culture of local communities.”

🧭 Lucia’s Note

Korea’s highway rest areas are more than a place to refuel —
they’re cultural spaces that tell regional stories through food.
Each dish reflects the land and people who make it.
It’s one of the most authentic ways to taste Korea.

🚗 For a Safe & Fun Road Trip

👉 Check out my full guide: Korean Highway Driving Tips

💡 Planning your next road trip?
Find maps, rest stop details, and live highway updates at the official Korea Expressway Corporation website: www.ex.co.kr

🇰🇷 **Read the Full Korean Version | 한국어판 보기**
Discover more details about the local favorites and regional specialties at rest areas across Korea — now available in Korean.
👉 [2025 전국 고속도로 휴게소 맛집 | Highway Food Festa Korea Edition](https://enko.co.kr/korean-rest-area-food-2025-kr/)