Eating Like an Exchange Student at POSTECH

One of the best parts of studying abroad is discovering how people eat, share, and enjoy food. At POSTECH, meals are not just fuel for studying — they’re a daily cultural adventure. Between campus cafeterias, small restaurants, and city markets, there’s always something new to try. Here’s a tour of what we usually eat as exchange students in Pohang.

1. The Main Cafeteria at the Jigok Community Center

Let’s start where most of our meals take place: the main POSTECH cafeteria located in the Jigok Community Center. This is the heart of student life, where you’ll see everyone eating an affordable and balanced meal. A typical tray might include steamed rice, kimchi (of course), a warm soup, vegetables, and a main dish (maybe a soy-marinated meatball or grilled fish).

It’s simple but comforting. The flavors are mild, the portions are generous, and the menu changes daily. For many of us, eating here is both a routine and a way to experience authentic Korean home-style cooking.

2. The Colosseum Restaurant on Campus

Just a short walk away, you’ll find the “Colosseum” restaurant inside the Jigok community complex which doubles as a social hub when you finish classes. This is one of those campus restaurants where you can enjoy slightly fancier fare than the main cafeteria. Think of dishes with more variety: maybe a western-style plate, or something with a twist on Korean classics. It’s popular among students who want something richer or who just want to treat themselves after a long week of labs or exams.

3. The OASIS Cafeteria in the Student Union Building

POSTECH also offers another great food option through the OASIS cafeteria located in the Student Union Building. It’s often preferred for lunch breaks between classes or for those quieter days. The menu here includes things like bibimbap, pork cutlet, rice and curry.

4-7. Eating Around Town: Local Restaurants in Pohang

Of course, you can’t live in Pohang without exploring the local food scene. Just a few minutes from campus, dozens of restaurants serve everything from Korean-Chinese fusion to handmade dumplings and traditional stews.

On one evening we tried fried rice with black bean sauce (jajangmyeon) — a Korean-Chinese favorite with a deep, sweet-savory flavor. Another time we found a dumpling (mandu) restaurant and ordered steamed and boiled versions filled with pork, kimchi, and glass noodles; each came with side dishes like radish kimchi and soy-vinegar dipping sauce. We also shared a generous hot pot of Korean beef soup (galbitang or bulgogi-jeongol) surrounded by small dishes: bean sprouts, pickled greens, seaweed soup, and black beans. And let’s not forget Korean fried chicken, famous worldwide for its crispiness and bold sauces. These outings outside campus are where you begin to taste local life, meet locals, learn menus, and understand what Koreans mean by “food culture.”

8-9. Night Market Adventures

Once you get used to Korean food culture, night markets become irresistible. In Korean’s night markets the atmosphere is lively, filled with energy, music, and the smell of freshly cooked snacks. Here, you walk around with food in hand: fried chicken bites, fish cakes on skewers, or sweet desserts. The market isn’t just about food, it’s an atmosphere. Locals chatting, music from small speakers, lights reflecting on the street. Eating while walking through the crowd gives you a sense of belonging, of being part of the city’s rhythm.

10-12. Dessert Breaks 

No meal in Korea is complete without dessert, and Korean cafés here are an experience on their own. In your student life you’ll find yourself in beautifully designed cafés and you’ll discover desserts you never expected. For example: a single-serving cup of ice cream in local flavors like green tea (matcha), strawberry, or milk-rich flavor; a slice of pistachio cake with black coffee; or a toasted marshmallow bar sold at a street stall that combines western ideas with Korean creativity. 

Final Thoughts

Being a student at POSTECH means more than just studying science and technology — it’s also a journey through flavors. From campus cafeterias that serve comforting meals to lively markets and trending cafés, every meal is a chance to experience Korean life up close. Whether it’s a simple tray of rice and soup or a late-night snack at a market, food connects us — to local culture, to friends, to the everyday joy of living in a new country.

For anyone coming to POSTECH as an exchange student, be ready: your taste buds are in for an amazing semester.