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Greece Travel Essentials: 9 Must-Try Local Foods

Greek food full of Mediterranean flavors and aromas

No matter what anyone says, the best part of any trip abroad is trying the unique local cuisine, right?

Let me introduce you to some special dishes you absolutely must try on your trip to Greece. Greek cuisine, brimming with fresh ingredients and Mediterranean flavors, is a perfect fit for Korean palates, making it a delight for everyone.

Most Greek restaurants have English menus, so feel free to order from the pictures in addition to the dishes I'm introducing.

Horiatiki Salata (Greek Salad)

The first dish is ‘Horiatiki Salata’.

This traditional Greek salad, found only in Greece, features fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta, a traditional Greek cheese. Made from fresh sheep's milk, feta has a salty yet unique flavor that you won't forget once you taste it. Dip bread in the leftover olive oil after the salad for another delicious treat.

This is a menu item that you can easily find at any restaurant, so be sure to try it.

Moussaka

Moussakas, a representative traditional Greek dish, has a similar appearance to lasagna.

Inside the square shape, eggplant, potatoes, and minced meat are tossed in a smooth béchamel sauce, adding a unique texture. The layers of ingredients combine to create a deep, rich flavor. If you're looking to experience a truly authentic Greek home-cooked meal, this dish is highly recommended.

Htapodi Psitto (Octopus Dish)

Athens is right on the coast, making it easy to enjoy fresh, high-quality seafood. Among them, I confidently recommend the octopus dish called htapodi psitto.

This dish features tenderly blanched octopus, grilled again, and seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice. The chewy yet tender texture of the octopus, combined with the subtle smoky aroma, creates a uniquely Korean experience. It's even better when paired with wine or ouzo.

Gyros

Gyros, a representative street food of Greece, is a new food that was created under the influence of Türkiye's 'doner kebab'.

It is filled with a variety of toppings such as onions, French fries, tomatoes, and pork or chicken inside the bread, and topped with a unique Greek sauce, giving it a different taste from Turkish kebab.

In Greece, you can enjoy a hearty meal at a reasonable price, so eating 1 Gyros a day is a must!

If you're walking down the street and come across a stall with a large, standing, rotating piece of meat grilling, don't miss it - that's where they sell gyros.

Souvlaki

A grilled meat dish that you must try along with gyros is souvlaki.

The word souvlaki means 'small skewers', and it is usually made with pork, chicken, or lamb skewered and grilled.

The flavor created by skilled artisans roasting directly over a strong fire is truly exquisite.

When you order souvlaki at a restaurant, you'll often find it neatly arranged on a long skewer or served on a large plate with a thin piece of pita bread. Paired with fresh vegetables, it's a fantastic combination.

The more you know, the more delicious it tastes! The story of Greek food.

Want to enjoy a more in-depth Greek culinary journey?

So far, we've introduced you to five must-eat foods in Greece.
Aren't you curious about the four foods we haven't covered yet?
👉 Plan your perfect culinary journey with our Greece guidebook! ⬇️⬇️

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