Wondering which street foods you have to try in Korea? While Seoul is a city of many talents if there’s anything worth travelling to the global capital for, it’s to savour its mouth-watering array of street foods. On every street corner, inside every subway station, and even in the shopping malls, the edible wares of hundreds of thousands of food carts (or pochangmachas) beckon with tantalising aromas: spicy-sweet tteokbokki, dough-y bungeoppang, moreish eomuk, and – of course – the famous fried chicken. With so much on offer, and only so many hours (and calories) in a day, make the most of Korea’s culinary delights with our handy guide to street food. In this article we will talk about the Korean street food culture and of course which one you should absolutely try!
Truly Original Korean Street Foods You Have to Try in Korea
Tteokbokki (떡볶이):
New York has bagels, London has fish and chips, and Seoul has tteokbokki. Spicy, with just enough sweetness to keep you coming back for more, tteokbokki is a favourite among locals and foreigners alike. While, the doughy rice cake may give the jaw a bit of a workout, it’s a flavourful delight that warms the heart and the tongue.
Recommended spot: Singdang-dong, Tteokbokki Town
Eomuk (어묵):
If you hadn’t noticed already, fish is all the rage here in Korea. And
Recommended spot: Gwangjang Market
Classic Street Foods: Familiar Favourites
Tornado Potato:
Seen around the world, this roadside delicacy’s roots can be traced right back here, to Seoul. More specifically, to Myeongdong – the home of experimental street food trends. Simply, a tornado potato is a whole potato wound around a skewer and then splashed, dipped, and decorated with a tasteful selection of spices, resulting in a wholesome and salty flavour – delish!
Recommended spot: Myeongdong Shopping Street
Fried chicken:
You won’t get far in Seoul without being stopped in your tracks by the scintillating scent of fried chicken. With their own secret blend of herbs and spices, Korea is, without a doubt, the OG of this world-wide favourite. Hot tip: transform your chicken into chimaek by enjoying it with maekju (beer). If you are curious about the start of Korean fried chicken, check out 10 Mag’s article on it’s history here.
Recommended spot: Anywhere in Hongdae
Korean hot dogs:
Korean hot dogs are not your typical bun stuffed with dog, in fact they have a closer resemblance to corn dogs. But, while they are deliciously moreish, the best thing about Korean hot dogs is that there is such variation. From tornado-potato hotdogs and french-fry hot dogs to tteokbokki and deep-fried noodle hot dogs, there is a dog for everyone.
Recommended spot: Myeongdong Shopping Street
Unique Street Foods: A Taste of Adventure
Beondegi (번데기):
If you enjoy a more bizarre menu, then Korea won’t disappoint. We recommend diving right into the deep end and
Recommended spot: Namdaemun Market or Gwangjang Market
Soondae (순대):
Another favourite is soondae (not to be confused with the sweet, cold treat – sundae). Simply put, soondae is blood sausage – specifically pork blood. While the concept may be hard to stomach, this street food is deliciously rich and packed with flavour, even if it is a tad gory.
Recommended spot: Namdaemun Market or Gwangjang Market
Sweet Street Foods: Sweet, Sweet Escape
Those with a sweet tooth, beware. The streets of Seoul are a smorgasbord of sugary treats that are as tempting to the eye as the tastebuds. From 32cm ice-cream, frozen yoghurt, and every type of waffle imaginable to a rainbow-delight of cotton candy, all the old favourites are readily available.
Bungeoppang (붕어빵):
However, try something a little different with this tasty treat:
Recommended spot: Myeongdong Shopping Street
With this short, sweet (and some not so sweet) guide to Seoul’s street food in hand, the only advice we have left to give is this: come hungry when coming to Seoul. 맛있게 드세요! Or, bon appetit!