A Time Travel and Romance in Kdramas Like Bon Appetit Your Majesty

Have you ever watched a drama so quirky yet oddly heartwarming that you thought, okay, this is exactly why I love K-dramas? That’s the vibe Bon Appetit, Your Majesty gives off. It’s got everything—mouthwatering food, time travel, romance, and just the right amount of chaos. Honestly, it feels like someone blended a sageuk with a rom-com and sprinkled a dash of fantasy on top. Delicious, right?

The drama follows Yeon Ji Young (played by Girls’ Generation’s Yoona), a modern-day chef who wins a prestigious culinary competition in France… only to suddenly get thrown 500 years into the past. Yeah, no time to celebrate—she’s suddenly face-to-face with Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min), a ruthless Joseon king infamous for being one of the most feared rulers in history. Imagine walking out of a Paris kitchen and boom—you’re now in a Joseon palace kitchen with your life on the line. Wild.

Despite the heavy premise, Bon Appetit, Your Majesty isn’t dark or depressing. Instead, it’s light, sweet, and surprisingly funny. The chemistry between Yoona and Lee Chae Min has been the talk of the internet, and ratings soared high enough to make it one of tvN’s top-performing dramas of the year.

So, if you’re hungry for more dramas with similar vibes—whether that’s cooking magic, swoony romance, or time-travel adventures—here’s a curated list of K-dramas that will give you that same spark.

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Moon Lovers Scarlet Heart Ryeo

If you’ve been in the K-drama world for a while, you know this title already. Scarlet Heart Ryeo is the blueprint for time-slip romance. The story follows Go Ha Jin (IU), a modern woman who’s suddenly pulled into the Goryeo Dynasty during a solar eclipse. She wakes up in the body of Hae Soo and finds herself tangled in the lives—and politics—of multiple princes, including the brooding 4th Prince Wang So (Lee Joon Gi).

On the surface, it’s a tragic historical epic filled with betrayals, shifting loyalties, and power struggles. But let’s be real—the emotional rollercoaster is what fans still talk about to this day. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll probably end up screaming into a pillow by the final episode.

The cast list is a drama fan’s dream: IU, Lee Joon Gi, Kang Ha Neul, EXO’s Baekhyun, Nam Joo Hyuk, Ji Soo, and even Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun. It’s like the Avengers of sageuk dramas. If you loved the time-travel romance and palace intrigue in Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, this one is a must.

Mr Queen

Now, if you want something that leans more into comedy without losing that sageuk flair, Mr Queen is your dish. Picture this: a free-spirited modern-day chef working at the Blue House suddenly finds his soul trapped inside the body of Queen Cheorin (Shin Hye Sun) during the Joseon era. Talk about gender-bending chaos.

Shin Hye Sun’s performance is a comedic masterpiece. One minute she’s flailing around trying to figure out how to act like a queen, the next she’s slipping into modern slang and mannerisms that leave everyone around her bewildered. Then there’s King Cheoljong (Kim Jung Hyun), who looks like a pushover but secretly hides sharp instincts and secrets of his own.

What makes Mr Queen stand out is how it balances laugh-out-loud humor with genuine emotional depth. The romance sneaks up on you in the most unexpected way, and before you know it, you’re shipping the couple like your life depends on it.

King the Land

Sometimes, you just want a good old-fashioned rom-com that makes your heart flutter—and King the Land delivers exactly that. This one doesn’t involve time travel or historical settings, but it still carries the signature Yoona charm you saw in Bon Appetit, Your Majesty.

The story pairs Gu Won (2PM’s Lee Junho), the heir to a luxury hotel empire, with Cheon Sa Rang (Yoona), a cheerful hotelier who knows how to win over even the most difficult guests. Their chemistry was so electric that fans were convinced they must’ve been dating off-screen. Spoiler alert: they weren’t, but honestly, it’s easy to see why people thought that.

The drama became a viral sensation, partly because of the sizzling romance and partly because it gave us so many gif-worthy moments. If you’re still craving more Yoona after Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, this drama is like comfort food for the soul.

Wok of Love

Speaking of food and romance, Wok of Love is another gem that blends sizzling dishes with equally fiery emotions. The story follows Seo Poong (Lee Junho), a once-renowned hotel chef who loses everything—his career, his fiancée, and his reputation—thanks to betrayal and sabotage. Down but not out, he sets out to rebuild his life by taking over a struggling neighborhood Chinese restaurant.

There, he meets Dan Sae Woo (Jung Ryeo Won), a wealthy heiress whose life collapses overnight when her father is arrested on her wedding day. Together, with the help of quirky gangster-turned-restaurateur Doo Chil Seong (Jang Hyuk), they create a new path forward filled with laughter, second chances, and yes—mouthwatering food.

What’s fun about Wok of Love is how it mixes revenge, romance, and comedy with dishes so visually appealing that you’ll want to order Chinese food immediately after watching.

Heo’s Diner

Now let’s talk about one of the newer entries into the culinary time-travel genre. Heo’s Diner tells the story of Heo Kyun, a progressive thinker from the Joseon era who dreams of a society without rigid caste systems. After being exiled and nearly executed, he suddenly jumps forward 400 years into modern-day Seoul.

There, he’s taken in by a single mother and her daughter, finding not only a new family but also a new purpose as a chef. But, of course, drama ensues when he becomes entangled in a mysterious murder case. Imagine trying to adjust to smartphones, subways, and modern dining etiquette while also dodging assassins. Yeah, no pressure.

It’s thoughtful, emotional, and brimming with commentary about equality and freedom—all wrapped up in a foodie fantasy.

Tastefully Yours

This one is for fans who like their romances slow-cooked with plenty of heart. Tastefully Yours pairs Kang Ha Neul and Go Min Si in a story about Han Beom U, the heir to a food conglomerate who’s more interested in maintaining appearances than truly understanding cuisine. Enter Mo Yeon Ju, a passionate chef who runs a tiny one-table restaurant in the countryside.

When circumstances bring them together to manage a small restaurant in Jeonju, sparks fly—both in the kitchen and in their hearts. The drama beautifully contrasts fine dining luxury with the humble warmth of comfort food, showing that flavor is about more than just presentation.

If you loved the food-and-romance blend in Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, this one is right up your alley.

Oh My Ghost

We can’t talk about chef dramas without mentioning the classic Oh My Ghost. Park Bo Young plays Na Bong Sun, a timid assistant chef who struggles with confidence. Her life takes a wild turn when she’s possessed by the ghost of Shin Soon Ae, a bold and sassy young woman with unfinished business.

Suddenly, Bong Sun goes from shy and withdrawn to bold and flirtatious—much to the confusion of her boss, star chef Kang Sun Woo (Jo Jung Suk). The result? Hilarious hijinks, heart-fluttering romance, and just enough supernatural spookiness to keep things interesting.

Even ten years later, Oh My Ghost is still one of the most beloved culinary romances in K-drama history.