It is no surprise that Korean cuisine offers some of the most scrumptious food to enjoy. And, if you find yourself in the bustling streets of Seoul, the top of your must-do list has to be trying out the variety of street food. Here are some of the must-try street foods which will definitely leave you wanting more!
Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancakes)
Perfect for any occasion, hotteok or sweet Korean pancakes is a warm and syrupy street snack. A bite into this warm delightful treat will reveal the traditional filling made up of sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Today, you can find a variety of fillings such as nutella, cheese, and even green tea.
Tteokbokki (Rice Cakes)
Popular since the Joseon dynasty, tteokbokki is a rice cake snack known for being both spicy and sweet. The rice cakes drowned in spicy sauce are soft and chewy in texture, perfect for as that little perk-me-up. You can find this dish in many street stalls and since it is a local’s favourite, many joints also serve this delicious goodness. One of the more popular stalls is Tteok Devang, which revolutionised tteokbokki by shifting away from the traditional spicy sauce to include other sauces including soy, teriyaki and cream flavour variations. For those looking for something different, this is the spot to go!
Soondae (Blood Sausages)
Definitely not for the faint-hearted, soondae might be something new to try for those who have never had blood sausages. Soondae is the Korean’s take on this international delicacy made by steaming pig or cow’s intestines. It is later filled with glutinous rice, noodles, vegetables, and iron-rich pork blood. Soft like mochi and incredibly chewy, this dish is often eaten with salt on the side or with some tteokbokki, and dipped in the spicy tteokbokki sauce.
Jokbal (Pig Trotters)
A popular street snack that is best eaten at night, jokbal is easily recognisable due to its layers of dark skin and white fats within the meat. A dish meant to be shared among friends, it is often served in medium or large sizes. If you are looking for a place to find some of the more popular jokbal, head on down to Jangchung-dong which is known to be the jokbal district. With so many jokbal restaurants in the affectionately named jokbal alley, you are spoilt for choice.
Pajeon (Korean Savoury Pancakes)
Similar to Chinese Scallion pancakes, pajeon is a very common menu item in Seoul’s restaurants and goes down best with Korean rice wine. You can find this dish in most traditional markets and food alleys with a variety of flavours like crab meat, kimchi, and many more.
Odeng (Fishcake Skewers)
One of the most common street foods, odeng or fish cake skewers is often served with hot broth soup, perfect to warm you up on a cold winter’s day. If you are having this street snack at a road-side stall, the self-serve style is the most common practice. Take as many skewers as you want but beware, the price is calculated by the number of sticks you return to the vendor.
Kimbap (Seaweed Rice)
An easy, grab-to-go street snack, kimbap is the iconic snack of convenience known for its portability and ‘rapid hunger-busting’ ability. While it might look similar to sushi, kimbap is more quantity-focused and includes a variety of ingredients. This dish is also entirely customisable to your preferences, with the option of choosing ingredients you desire — such as white rice, brown rice, or black rice.
Gyeranppang (Egg Bread)
Found in almost every street market, gyeranppang is a tasty snack similar to corn muffins topped with eggs. Both sweet and savoury, this snack is perfect on-the-go as you wander the many streets of Seoul. The classic gyeranppang is made with a whole egg in the middle of the bread but you can also add toppings like chopped parsley, cheese and diced ham.
Bungeoppang (Korean Fish-Shaped Pastry)
Sweet and delicious, bungeoppang is a warm snack often compared to the Japanese taiyaki. Traditionally filled with sweet red beans, it is also common nowadays to find other interesting fillings like pizza or ice cream. The sizes of these sweet pastries also vary from mini to the ultimate King size. Comfort food during winter, these sweet delights are not to be missed!
Mandu (Dumplings)
Mandu are simply dumplings and are typically found on the streets. They can be steamed, boiled, pan-fried or deep-fried and come in many flavours from savoury to sweet. Many Korean dishes include dumplings but if you are looking for something light to munch on as you explore the streets of Seoul, a couple of mandu would be that ideal light snack.
This list is simply scratching the surface of the many delicious street foods that you can try in South Korea but it is perfect to start your street food journey!