O’ngo Food Communications

O'ngo Food Communications is a Seoul company specialising in Korean food experiences: guided food tours, cooking classes, culture tours and corporate events. It is based on Bukchon-ro in Jongno, close to the hanok lanes of Bukchon, and it has long been one of the established names for visitors who want to understand Korean food through tasting and cooking rather than just eating out.

The core offering is the Small Group Night Dining Tour, an evening walk through some of Seoul's livelier districts that combines several Korean dishes with a taste of the city's nightlife and drinking culture. It is a good way to try foods that are hard to order on your own, such as dishes served only in shared portions or at places without English menus, and to learn the etiquette that goes with them. For a more exclusive experience, the Luxury Food and Culture Tour pairs gourmet dining with historic sites under the guidance of an expert, and private tours can be arranged.

The cooking classes take place in a traditional Korean house, where a professional Korean chef leads participants through the preparation of several main dishes. Classes are practical and hands-on, and you eat what you make at the end. They suit families, couples and anyone who wants to take a skill home, and they are a good option on a rainy day. The company also runs team activities for corporate groups that combine cooking and tours, and operates tours in Busan.

These experiences suit first-time visitors, food lovers and solo travellers who want company for an evening out. Tell the company about allergies and dietary requirements when you book, as Korean food often contains fish sauce, seafood or pork, and ask what is suitable for vegetarians. Prices are published on the website for each tour.

Because tours and classes run on set dates, check the calendar on the website early in your planning and secure the date you want before arranging other evenings.

Book online through the company's website, where upcoming tours and classes are listed. The office answers enquiries by phone and email on weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00. Meeting points and start times are confirmed with each booking. The Bukchon base is a short walk from Anguk Station on Line 3.