Warmer weather calls for the tastiest of spring treats, and Koreans know how to do street food and desserts properly. Korean street food has taken the world by storm and after many springs spent wandering Seoul’s markets, these are the street desserts you will actually see locals queuing for when the weather warms up.
What Are Korean Street Food and Desserts?
From sweet treats, ice cream to salty snacks Korean street food desserts are sold by vendors at outdoor markets and food stalls across Seoul. Unlike cafe desserts, street desserts are affordable (usually ₩1,000–₩3,000), freshly made, and perfect for eating while exploring neighborhoods like Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Insadong.
Chapssaltteok | Gangnam
Spring is perfect for light, chewy Chapssaltteok in Gangnam, soft glutinous rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste, often in pastel pink, green, and white.
Bungeo-ppang |Hongdae
There are many variations of Bungeoppang. The traditional version is widely popular in the winter. You can also eat it filled with ice cream, making it a true delicacy for the warmer and hot days.
Ice cream filled bungeoppang are yummy and will make all of your followers envious on Instagram.
Walnut Cakes | Myeongdong
Red beans are a common ingredient when it comes to Korean desserts, but each dessert reinvents red bean flavors. Walnut cakes are no exception. The dough is made of pounded walnuts and wheat flour.
Ice Cream Filled Waffle | Itaewon
Ice cream waffles are a favorite in the West and in Korea. Fresh waffles are topped with three scoops of one’s favorite ice cream flavor and served within minutes. Vendors across Seoul sell them, but Itaewon is the best place to go.
They are the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Head out to a local vendor and beat the heat with an ice cream filled waffle.
Torched Marshmallow – 불마시멜로 | Mangwon-dong
Spring in Seoul calls for something a little extra and torched marshmallow ice cream delivers exactly that. Vendors in Mangwon-dong stuff a plump marshmallow with creamy ice cream, then blowtorch it until the outside is golden, caramelized, and slightly crispy, while the inside stays cold and dreamy. Pick your flavor: vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate and watch the magic happen right in front of you.
It’s gone viral for a reason, and one bite will tell you exactly why.
Dalgona – Ppopgi 뽑기 | Myeongdong
Famously known as Dalgona, this iconic Korean street snack is a league of its own. It is made by adding baking soda to melted sugar. Then, it is pressed into different shapes while it cooks.
This dessert is also vegetarian-friendly, so everyone can enjoy it!
Hotteok (Sweet Pancake) | Myeongdong
Sweet pancakes can be found at vendors all across Korea. They come in various shapes and can be filled with creams, red bean paste, or just plain.
소금빵 Salt Bread | Seongsu-dong
The 2020s salt bread (소금빵) that looks like a croissant have made Koreans lining up for hours everywhere to prove it`s worth the try. This deceptively simple golden roll is soft and airy inside, lightly crispy on the outside, and packed with pockets of rich, melted butter, all finished with a pinch of coarse French sea salt. The best spots, like the legendary Jayeondo (자연도) in Seongsu-dong, bake just 7,000 rolls a day and they sell out every single time.
It’s the ultimate Korean Danjjan moment: sweet, salty, buttery, and completely impossible to eat just one.
Potato Tornado | Myeongdong
Potato Tornadoes are the perfect contrast to all of the spring sweets. Not everyone has a sweet tooth. This street snack is every chip lovers’ dream. After carefully inserting a skewer into a potato, the vendor then precisely cuts the potato in opposite directions. Then, it is fanned down the skewer making an even spiral. The potato is placed in hot grease for minutes and then served to awaiting customers.
They are fantastic snacks!
These Korean street desserts and snacks are only the tip of the iceberg. There are a plethora of sweet street foods to try in Seoul, so get ready for an epic spring exploring Seoul’s best Korean street food and desserts!
If you found this article helpful, don’t forget to leave a Comment below! You can also check out 6 Ways to Enjoy Spring in Korea !
