They're comforting, they're light-hearted (mostly), and they often leave you craving more, not just of the food on screen but of the heartwarming stories and relatable characters they serve up.
Before you dive into this list, make sure you've got some snacks on hand because these wholesome K-dramas are bound to make you hungry!
1. "My Lovely Sam Soon" (2005)
After being dumped and unemployed on the same day, Kim Sam Soon, a talented but insecure patissier, gets hired by the arrogant but successful restaurateur Hyun Jin-heon, leading to a contract relationship that blossoms into real love as they deal with exes, family expectations, and personal insecurities.
2. "Late Night Restaurant" (2015)
Set in a mysterious eatery that opens only at midnight, its Master cooks dishes that become remedies for the emotional woes of his customers, ranging from a taxi driver to a businesswoman, as each night unfolds their stories of love, loss, and life.
3. "Jewel in the Palace" (also known as "The Great Jang-Geum") (2003-2004)
Based on the true story of Jang-Geum, the first female royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty, who rises from her lowly status as a palace kitchen cook to become the king's first female physician, overcoming numerous obstacles and palace intrigue along the way.
4. "Sweet Munchies" (2020)
Park Jin-sung, a struggling chef, runs a late-night snack bar and gets caught in a love triangle and a career dilemma when he falsely poses as a gay man to star in a cooking show, leading to unexpected fame and complicated relationships.
5. "Wok of Love" (2018)
A star chef, a bankrupt heiress, and a former gangster find common ground and a shared dream to revive a failing Chinese restaurant, facing challenges from rival businesses and personal pasts, all while stirring up romance and hot dishes.
6. "Mystic Pop-Up Bar" (2020)
Wol-ju, the ill-tempered owner of a mystical drinking establishment, and her employees help customers resolve their deepest problems, through dreams, in order to settle her own ancient grudge and move on to the afterlife.
7. "Mr. Queen" (2020-2021)
In a bizarre twist, the soul of a modern-day male chef gets trapped in the body of a queen in the Joseon period, leading to uproarious situations as he navigates palace life, royal duties, and a suspicious king, all while trying to find a way back to his own time.
8. "Oh My Ghost" (2015)
Na Bong-sun, a timid assistant chef who is possessed by a lustful virgin ghost, suddenly changes into a confident woman who catches the eye of her crush, the star chef Kang Sun-woo, leading to a mix of hilarious and heartfelt moments.
9. "A Business Proposal" (2022)
To escape a blind date set up by her CEO, Shin Ha-ri attends in her friend's place, only to discover her date is her boss, Kang Tae-mu, sparking a series of misunderstandings, a fake relationship, and genuine romance in the corporate world.
10. "Pasta" (2010)
The fiery kitchen of an Italian restaurant is the backdrop for a romance between a stubborn, aspiring chef, Seo Yoo-kyung, who struggles to earn her place, and the restaurant's new head chef, Choi Hyun-wook, who is determined to keep women out of his kitchen but can't seem to keep them out of his heart.
11. "Link: Eat Love Kill" (2022)
Two individuals, connected by a mysterious phenomenon that allows them to sense each other's emotions and pains, embark on a dangerous journey to solve a series of murders and uncover a deep conspiracy, while navigating their complex feelings for each other.
12. "Let's Eat" (2013-2014)
Goo Dae-young, an insurance salesman with a passion for food, introduces his neighbors to various Korean dishes and restaurants, weaving a community of diverse individuals who find companionship and comfort through their shared meals and personal challenges.
13. "Coffee Prince" (2007)
Go Eun-chan, a tomboyish girl, disguises herself as a man to get hired at a coffee shop that only hires male workers, leading to complicated romantic entanglements with her boss, Choi Han-kyul, who begins questioning his sexuality.
14. "Warm and Cozy" (2015)
Set on the picturesque Jeju Island, a bubbly job seeker, Lee Jung-joo, and an arrogant restaurateur, Baek Gun-woo, who initially meet under mistaken identities, end up cohabiting and reviving a rundown restaurant, discovering love and the true meaning of home in the process.
15. "To My Star" (2021)
Actor Kang Seo-joon, who has fallen from the spotlight, and chef Han Ji-woo, who prefers to stay out of the public eye, become unlikely housemates; their cohabitation brings them closer, challenging each other's fears and dreams, leading to a tender romance amidst personal growth and healing.
