I have a confession to make before we talk about Korean food.

I am a huge Tom Cruise fan.

From Top Gun to the Mission: Impossible series and everything in between, Tom Cruise has always felt a little larger than life to me. He's the actor who still performs his own jaw-dropping stunts, still runs like his life depends on it, and somehow stays charming through all of it.

So whenever I hear that Tom Cruise is heading to Korea, I pay attention.

And apparently, so does Korea.

The Record-Breaking Visit

In October 2026, Tom Cruise returned to South Korea for the 13th time, according to The Dong-A Ilbo, in connection with his new film Digger. SBS News had already reported ahead of the trip that this visit set a record for the Hollywood actor with the most trips to Korea.

And he isn't finished. He reportedly said he wants to come back at least 30 more times.

Thirty. More. Times.

So why does he keep coming back?

Part of the answer is simple: movie promotions. But Korean coverage has also highlighted how much Tom seems to enjoy experiencing the country itself. Korea.net, the official Korean government portal, described how he explored Seoul during his 12th visit in 2025, rather than just sticking to official events.

And that's when a second storyline started to form in my head.

Mission: K-Food. 🍗

Following the Delicious Evidence

Let's investigate this the way Ethan Hunt would, one clue at a time.

Clue #1: Korean BBQ and Hanwoo (2023, 11th visit)

During his 2023 trip, Tom's food adventures made headlines across Korea. iMBC reported that he enjoyed samgyeopsal (thick, juicy slices of pork belly), along with jjapaguri, bulgogi, and chicken with beer.

The Seoul Shinmun reported that at a Gangnam barbecue restaurant, his table was filled with premium Korean beef (hanwoo), including a special cut called plume and shrimp. The same article reports that he said he loves grilled hanwoo and that the spicy flavors of Korean food stay on his mind.

Another report from Sports Kyunghyang says he visited a Korean restaurant in Seoul and enjoyed hanwoo cuts, galbi, doenjang jjigae, scorched rice (nurungji), and both bibim naengmyeon and mul naengmyeon (cold noodles).

If you've never had Korean BBQ, here's the magic. You grill the meat at your table, wrap it in lettuce with garlic and sauce, add a little banchan (side dishes), and eat it in one perfect bite. It's social, it's fun, and it's exactly the kind of meal that turns guests into regulars.

Clue #2: Jjapaguri (2023)

Tom also tried jjapaguri, the noodle dish that became internationally famous after the movie Parasite. It combines two instant noodle brands, Jjapaghetti and Neoguri. According to the Seoul Shinmun, he had a spicy hanwoo version of jjapaghetti for dessert after his barbecue dinner.

It's a great example of how a humble comfort food can become a global sensation.

Clue #3: Korean Fried Chicken (2023 and 2025)

Now we get to the real plot twist.

News1 reported in May 2025 that Tom Cruise was spotted eating chicken at a restaurant in Seoul's Gongdeok neighborhood during his 12th visit. Korea.net also mentioned that he stopped by a chicken restaurant and a café there.

And here's what caught my attention. News1 reports that Tom had reportedly visited the same chicken restaurant and café back in 2023.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Anyone can try a famous restaurant once. Maybe it's on the schedule. Maybe someone on the team recommended it. But going back to the same chicken place two years later? That doesn't feel like a publicity stop. That feels like a craving.

(To be fair, these are sightings reported by Korean media, not an official announcement. But I'm choosing to believe in the chicken.)

Why Korean Fried Chicken Is So Hard to Forget

I can't blame him at all.

Korean fried chicken is one of those foods that stays with you after the first bite. The coating is thin, crackly, and shatteringly crispy. The meat inside stays juicy. And the flavors hit that unmistakable Korean combination of sweet, spicy, savory, and crunchy all at once.

Add a cold drink, and you have a perfect night. In Korea, that combo is so beloved it even has its own nickname: chimaek (chicken + maekju, the Korean word for beer).

If you've only had American-style fried chicken, Korean fried chicken can feel like a revelation. Many places fry the chicken twice for extra crunch, then toss it in sauces like a sweet-and-spicy gochujang glaze or soy garlic.

If I were a world-famous action star with a plane ticket to Seoul, I'd probably be back for the chicken too.

"Uncle Tom"

What I find most interesting about Tom Cruise's connection to Korea is that he doesn't just arrive, wave from a red carpet, and leave.

Korean media have repeatedly covered him eating, walking around Seoul, and meeting ordinary people. That makes his visits feel surprisingly personal.

Maybe that's why Korean fans affectionately call him "Uncle Tom" (Tom Ajeossi, or 톰 아저씨, in Korean). Even News1's headline about his chicken sighting used that nickname.

It's the kind of name you give to someone who feels like part of the neighborhood.

The Big Question

As a Korean and a longtime Tom Cruise fan, I can't help wondering:

Is Tom Cruise coming to Korea for the movies… or is he secretly coming back for the food?

I may never know the real answer. But I do think he has already discovered something many of us know very well.

Korean food is worth coming back for.

Your Next Mission, Tom

If Tom really does plan to visit Korea another 30 times, I have one suggestion for his next briefing.

There are still so many Korean dishes he hasn't tried yet. Here's my shortlist for him:

• Tteokbokki: chewy rice cakes in a spicy-sweet red sauce
• Kimchi jjigae: a bubbling, tangy kimchi stew that's pure comfort
• Korean corn dogs: crispy, cheesy, and sometimes rolled in potato cubes
• Bingsu: a mountain of shaved ice with sweet toppings
• Gimbap: Korean seaweed rice rolls, perfect for on-the-go
• Budae jjigae (army stew): a hearty stew full of noodles, sausage, and kimchi

This message will not self-destruct. Let the K-Food mission continue. 🇰🇷

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many times has Tom Cruise visited Korea?

His October 2026 trip was his 13th visit to South Korea, which set a record for a Hollywood actor, according to The Dong-A Ilbo and SBS News.

Does Tom Cruise want to visit Korea again?

Yes. Korean media reported that he wants to come back at least 30 more times.

What Korean food has Tom Cruise eaten?

During his 2023 visit, Korean media reported that he enjoyed samgyeopsal, hanwoo (premium Korean beef), bulgogi, jjapaguri, cold noodles, doenjang jjigae, and chicken with beer.

Which fried chicken restaurant did Tom Cruise visit in Seoul?

He was reportedly spotted at a chicken restaurant in Seoul's Gongdeok neighborhood during his 2025 visit. News1 reported that he had also visited the same restaurant and café in 2023. The restaurant's name hasn't been officially confirmed in the sources I used, so I'm not naming it here.

What is jjapaguri?

Jjapaguri (also called "ram-don") is a Korean noodle dish made by mixing two instant noodles, Jjapaghetti (black bean noodles) and Neoguri (spicy seafood noodles). It became world-famous after appearing in the movie Parasite.

Why do Korean fans call Tom Cruise "Uncle Tom"?

It's an affectionate nickname. Fans have embraced him because he is often seen out in Seoul, eating, walking around, and interacting with ordinary people, which makes him feel warm and approachable.

Is Korean fried chicken different from American fried chicken?

Yes. Korean fried chicken is known for its thin, extra-crispy coating and flavorful sauces, such as sweet and spicy glaze or soy garlic. Many restaurants fry the chicken twice for added crunch.

What should I try first if I'm new to Korean food?

Korean fried chicken and Korean BBQ are great starting points because they're easy to love. If you want something comforting, try kimchi jjigae or tteokbokki next.

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Sources

1. The Dong-A Ilbo, October 2, 2026: Tom Cruise returns to South Korea for 'Digger'
2. SBS News, September 17, 2026: Tom Cruise Confirmed for 13th Visit to Korea
3. Korea.net, 2025: Actor Tom Cruise proves 'love for Korea' with 12th visit
4. News1, May 8, 2025: Did "Uncle Tom" Eat Chicken in Gongdeok? (Korean-language article)
5. The Seoul Shinmun, July 2023: Tom Cruise Pays About 5 Million Won at a Korean BBQ Restaurant: "Korea's Spicy Food Keeps Coming to Mind" (Korean-language article)
6. Sports Kyunghyang, July 2023: Actor Tom Cruise Enjoys the Flavors of Korea at the Korean Restaurant Brand "Gyeongbokgung" (Korean-language article)
7. Newsis, July 2023: Hanwoo, Jjapaguri, Bulgogi, Chimaek… Tom Cruise's Seoul Outing Becomes a Hot Topic (Korean-language article)
8. iMBC, July 2023: Kind Tom Cruise: His Love for Korea Hasn't Cooled After His 11th Visit (Korean-language article)