South Korean food, often known as Hansik, is a rich cuisine shaped by Korea’s history, geography, and communal dining culture. It reflects traditions that are deeply rooted in Korean culture, and food is often a focal point of social events throughout the nation.
Additionally, Korean cuisine has rapidly become a fan favorite throughout the world because of the rise of Korea’s media industry, including K-pop and K-dramas. From kimchi to rice bowls, people worldwide enjoy a wide variety of Korean-inspired dishes. Thus, international students and visitors can find several culinary programs and cooking schools in Korea, which we highlight in this article.
Top Culinary Schools in South Korea
1. Le Cordon Bleu-Seoul – Sookmyung Academy
With its long history of over 130 years and notable standing, Le Cordon Bleu is our top pick for a culinary arts school in South Korea. Le Cordon Bleu-Sookmyung Academy is located at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul and opened in 2002 as the second official Le Cordon Bleu campus established in Asia. It is also located in the beautiful city of Seoul, which is considered one of South Korea’s best cities for international students.
The school’s courses have had a global impact on the culinary industry. Le Cordon Bleu describes its global network as having more than 35 schools in around 20 countries, with students from more than 100 nationalities trained each year. At the Seoul campus, instructors are selected and dispatched by Le Cordon Bleu International and have professional experience in areas such as hotels, restaurants, and international culinary competitions.
Le Cordon Bleu-Sookmyung Academy offers a range of culinary arts and wine programs, including Grand Diplôme, cuisine, pâtisserie, and boulangerie diplomas, as well as French wine and tea specialist programs. The school’s current 2026 tuition page lists program fees in KRW and notes that tuition is subject to annual change, so students should check the official tuition page before applying.
2. Woosong University
Our second recommendation is Woosong University. This institution stands out to international students because of its English-taught programs and strong focus on hospitality and culinary education.
Woosong University’s College of Hotel and Culinary Arts lists English-taught options such as Global Culinary Arts and Global Restaurant Management, along with Korean-taught programs in areas such as culinary arts, food science and nutrition, foodservice and culinary arts management, and Korean culinary arts and food science. The Global Culinary Arts program is taught entirely in English and highlights international faculty, modern kitchens, and hands-on training.
At the bachelor’s level, Woosong lists Global Culinary Arts and Global Restaurant Management among its English-taught undergraduate programs. The university also lists two-year associate degree options in Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry through Woosong College; however, applicants should check the current admissions page because Woosong’s associates page states that associate programs were not accepting applications for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters.
3. Food and Culture Academy
The Food & Culture Academy Korea, also known as Food & Culture Korea, is a Seoul-based institution that offers hands-on classes focused on Korean cuisine. It is a good option for students and visitors who want practical training in Korean home cooking and food culture.
Its current class listings include Korean dishes such as bulgogi, bibimbap, japchae, tteokbokki, gimbap, dakgangjeong, and seasonal local dishes. Participants cook in a practical class setting, receive step-by-step guidance, and can learn techniques and recipes that they can recreate at home.
4. Jeonju University
Jeonju University makes it on our list of the best Korean culinary schools. The university offers international undergraduate program options related to foodservice, culinary management, and Korean cuisine.
The university lists Foodservice and Culinary Management and Korean Cuisine among its undergraduate programs for international admissions. Its Korean Cuisine department also highlights a practice-oriented curriculum, with courses such as Culinary Science, Western Cuisine Practice, Korean Royal Cuisine Practice, and Korean Regional Cuisine Practice.
FAQS About Studying Culinary Arts in South Korea
Which Culinary School in South Korea Offers the Best Scholarship Opportunities to International Students?
For foreign students, Woosong University is a strong choice for culinary study in South Korea because it provides admission-based scholarships for on-campus programs. Admission scholarships are awarded case by case, based on factors such as English level, academic standing, and extracurricular activities. Undergraduate admission scholarships typically cover 30% to 70% of tuition for the first semester, while eligible graduate students can receive 30% of tuition. After the first semester, students may be eligible for merit-based scholarships ranging from 30% to 100%, provided they meet requirements such as minimum completed credits and no F grades. Korean food’s variety and adaptability make culinary study in South Korea a desirable path toward a global career in the culinary arts. If you want to take that journey, you can do it with any of these top culinary schools in South Korea.
We hope that this article was informative in choosing your options for an excellent culinary school in South Korea. If you want to explore more programs around the world currently available for international students, we highly recommend you check out these available courses for international students! For valuable tips and scholarship opportunities, visit the Study in Korea Page!
