10 Must-Try Korean Street Foods: Don't Miss Out!

Hello everyone! Are you planning a trip to Korea? Or are you just curious about delicious Korean food? Then you've come to the right place! Today, I'm going to introduce you to 10 must-try Korean street foods that you absolutely shouldn't miss on your trip. Not only are they affordable and filling, but they also offer a special experience where you can feel the warmth and culture of Korea. So, let's embark on a delicious journey together!

1. Tteokbokki: Spicy and Sweet Soul Food

Tteokbokki is one of the most beloved street foods in Korea. The combination of chewy rice cakes and spicy-sweet gochujang (Korean chili paste) sauce is simply fantastic! There are also various types of tteokbokki, such as cheese tteokbokki, seafood tteokbokki, and jajang (black bean sauce) tteokbokki, so you can choose according to your taste. Don't worry if you can't handle spicy food, as there are also mild versions available!

2. Hotteok: The Epitome of Sweet Winter Snacks

Hotteok is a representative snack that can be easily found on the streets of Korea during the winter. The chewy dough is filled with sweet sugar, honey, and nuts, offering a warm and sweet taste. Especially on cold days, blowing on a hot hotteok before eating it is the best! Recently, various types of hotteok, such as seed hotteok and vegetable hotteok, have emerged.

3. Bungeoppang: Delicious to the Last Bite (Tail!)

Bungeoppang is a snack made by pouring flour batter into a fish-shaped mold and filling it with red bean paste. The combination of the crispy exterior and the moist red bean paste is superb! Bungeoppang is a national snack loved by people of all ages and can be easily found on the streets during the winter. Recently, bungeoppang with various fillings, such as custard cream and sweet potato, have also gained popularity.

4. Gyeranppang: Moist and Soft Nutritious Snack

Gyeranppang is a bread made by pouring flour batter and adding a whole egg. The combination of the moist and soft texture and the savory egg flavor is a snack loved by people of all ages! Gyeranppang is good for breakfast or as a snack when you're feeling peckish. Recently, gyeranppang with added cheese, ham, etc., has also appeared, making it even more satisfying.

5. Dakkochi: Spicy and Sweet Transformation of Chicken

Dakkochi is chicken skewered on a stick, seasoned, and grilled. The combination of the spicy-sweet seasoning and the chewy chicken is truly excellent! Dakkochi can be enjoyed in various flavors, such as spicy, teriyaki, and salt-grilled, so you can choose according to your taste. Dakkochi is also great to enjoy with beer.

6. Hoeori Gamja: A Snack That's Fun to Look At Too

Hoeori Gamja is a snack made by thinly slicing a potato into a spiral shape and frying it. The crispy texture and savory taste are superb! Hoeori Gamja can be eaten with various seasonings, such as cheese, onion, and chili, so you can choose according to your taste. Hoeori Gamja is also fun to look at, making it especially popular among young people.

7. Hotdog: A Snack Loved by Everyone

Korean-style hotdogs are made by skewering a sausage on a stick, coating it in flour batter, frying it, and sprinkling it with sugar, ketchup, mustard, etc. The combination of the crispy exterior and the chewy sausage is the best! There are various types of hotdogs, such as mozzarella cheese hotdogs, cheddar cheese hotdogs, and potato hotdogs, so you can choose according to your taste.

8. Eomuk: Warm Broth Is the Best in Winter

Eomuk is a dish made by skewering fish cake made from ground fish meat on a stick and boiling it. The combination of the warm broth and the chewy fish cake is enough to warm you up on a cold winter day! Eomuk is even more delicious when dipped in soy sauce or seasoned sauce. Eomuk broth is often provided free of charge, so be sure to try it!

9. Kkochi: Fun to Eat with Various Ingredients

Kkochi is a dish made by skewering various ingredients on a stick and grilling them. There are various types, such as dakkochi (chicken skewer), sausage kkochi, and yeomtong kkochi (chicken heart skewer), and it is even more delicious when seasoned with spicy sauce or teriyaki sauce. Kkochi is great to enjoy with beer or to fill your stomach simply.

10. Gunbam/Gungoguma: Representative Winter Snacks

Gunbam (roasted chestnuts) and Gungoguma (roasted sweet potatoes) are representative snacks that can be easily found on the streets during the winter. Roasted over a hot fire, gunbam and gungoguma with crispy exteriors and moist interiors are known for their sweet and savory taste! Especially on cold days, holding warm gunbam and gungoguma in your hands and eating them will make you feel warm in both body and mind.

So, I've introduced you to 10 Korean street foods. There are many other street foods in Korea, so be sure to try them when you come to Korea! Have a great trip to Korea with delicious street food! 😊