Korea is known for its amazing variety of food, but street food snacks are an entirely different world. Served fresh and hot in small stalls in markets across the country, you can't say you've experienced Korean culture until you go to one and try all the food. But to give you an idea of what you can expect, here are 20 of their best offerings. Scrolling through this list will feel like a Try Not To Get Hungry Challenge!

1. Chimaek

Once you learn what Chimaek is, it's going to be your new favourite combination of words. "Chi" is short for chicken while "maek" is short for "maekju" also known as beer in Korean. Behold, the amazing combination of beer and Korean fried chicken. With so many different flavours and styles of chicken to choose from, the cold beer is the perfect complement to wash away all the grease.

KOREA.NET on Wikimedia Commons

2. Tteokbokki

If there's one street food that best represents South Korea, we'd definitely say it's tteokbokki. It's a national favourite! There's no night market where you won't be able to find this delicious snack served in a stall. Tteokbokki is essentially chewy rice cakes cooked in a thick, sweet and spicy gochujang sauce. You can usually find some boiled eggs and fish cakes thrown in the mix too.

by Sung Sook on Wikimedia Commons

3. Hotteok

You won't just find savory snacks served on the streets, South Korea also offers a wide variety of unique sweet treats for you to try. One of the most popular sweet snacks is hotteok, a sweet Korean pancake with a chewy, bouncy dough that's fried until crispy. It's typically filled with a cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, but in many street stalls, you can have your pick. From nutella to whipped cream options, there are so many to try!

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4. Odeng

Before you freak out at the thought of fish cake soup, let us tell you why it's exactly what you want during the colder seasons. Imagine walking through a night market in late fall or early winter with your hands freezing cold. You're shivering and shaking, when suddenly, you see the odeng stall! Thick and soft layers of fish cake are being simmered in a light, savory broth that is served with unlimited refills. It's warm, comforting, and is just the thing you need to brush away the cold. 

by Junho Jung at Flickr from South Korea

5. Yakgwa

Just look at how beautiful these traditional sweets are. They look like little flowers! Recently blown up on social media, Yakgwa became immensely popular thanks to its stunning appearance and sweet flavour. They're often given as gifts during the holidays, but you can enjoy them all year round!

Hyeon-Jeong Suk on Wikimedia Commons

6. Kimbap

Think of kimbap as the equivalent of the American sandwich. It's a popular picnic food, snack, and school lunch that's eaten all across the country. While it might look like sushi, it's very different! The fillings are entirely unique, consisting of various vegetables and fillings like tuna, kimchi, or even bulgogi. It's great for an on the go snack as you wander the market.

Jordi Sanchez on Wikimedia Commons

7. Bungeoppang

These fish-shaped pastries are a popular Korean market snack. Not only do they come in such a fun shape, they're filled with a variety of stuffings like sweet red bean paste, custard, and so much more. The inside is soft and creamy, while the outside is nice and crispy. 

Chae Ji-young on Wikimedia Commons

8. Dakkochi

You can never go wrong with chicken skewers at a street stall! But let us tell you, South Korea has really mastered the dish. Marinated with a delicious sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and sugar, it's then grilled until perfectly juicy and tender. It's a satisfying option that no one will ever complain about.

travel oriented from Seoul, South Korea on Wikimedia Commons

9. Twigim

Twigim isn't exactly a single item, it covers a vast array of different fried Korean snacks. From fried glass noodles wrapped in seaweed to fried vegetables, squid, and shrimp, each is so delicious but unique in its own way. They're typically served piping hot and go surprisingly well with tteokbokki sauce. It's best to order a side of twigim with your tteokbokki next time!

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10. Gyeran-bbang

Also known as egg bread, you're probably sitting there thinking, what the heck is egg bread anyway? Just picture warm, fluffy bread with an entire egg baked right on top of it. While it may seem confusing, you just have to try it to understand. This unique street food offering is a little sweet and a little savory, but definitely filling and satisfying.

anokarina from United States on Wikimedia Commons

11. Hweori Gamja

You've likely seen tornado potatoes in local fairs near you, but turns out it's a global treat enjoyed across the world. In Korea, they've mastered the art of skewering these potatoes, deep-frying them until they're amazingly crispy yet somehow tender too. They come in a variety of different flavours like cheese or onion, letting customers pick what suits their fancy.

tragrpx, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

12. Mandu

It's so cool seeing how different Asian countries make dumplings. In Korea, they're called mandu, and they're pretty different from Japanese or Chinese style ones. Filled with minced meat, tofu, green onions, kimchi, and even sometimes glass noodles, these can be served steamed, boiled, or fried. When served in a street stall, you can expect to be given a savory dipping sauce that perfectly complements the mandu.

Piotrus on Wikimedia Commons

13. Pajeon

Pajeon is essentially a savory pancake made in Korea that's eaten as a side dish or a tasty snack. While the base of the pancake is usually prepared the same, it's the filling that varies. These pajeons come in seafood, kimchi, or even green onion flavoured varieties with each one tasting drastically different from the last. 

bryan... on Wikimedia Commons

14. Corn Cheese

Corn cheese is a street food that's exactly what it sounds like. It's corn...and cheese! It's simple yet surprisingly addicting, becoming so popular that it's made its way into Western restaurants. It's a dish that knows its audience - who doesn't love corn and cheese?

lazy fri13th on Wikimedia Commons

15. Gilgeori Toast

While Gilgeori Toast may sound complicated to say, it essentially just translates to "street toast" in Korean. And by that we mean a delicious sandwich typically made with eggs, cabbage, carrots, green onions, and ham. It might sound simple, but the Koreans have got it down pat. The bread is nicely buttered and has a sweetness to it, the sauce complements the ingredients so nicely, and it's all served warm and toasty for you to enjoy.

gildedgingerbread on Wikimedia Commons

16. Jokbal

Okay, okay. We know the thought of eating braised pig's feet might not sound like the most appealing thing in the world, but if there's ever a place to do it, it's in South Korea. That's right, jokbal translates to pig's feet, and this popular street food is commonly found in every market. Don't worry about the bones - it's typically deboned, sliced, and served with a delightful sauce that brings it all together. Give it a try!

Kbarends on Wikimedia Commons

17. Mayak Kimbap

A slight twist on the classic kimbap, mayak kimbap aka "narcotic kimbap" has that name for a reason. These little snacks are much smaller than the original, served with just simple ingredients like pickled radish, seasoned rice, and sesame seeds. It's a lot plainer than you'd expect, but it's given its name because of its shockingly addictive taste. It's so delicious, and because they come in small bite-sized portions, you'll inhale them without even realizing it.

bryan... from Taipei, Taiwan on Wikimedia Commons

18. Patbingsu

If you're heading to Korea during the summer, you'll definitely want to cool down during your market strolls with patbingsu, Korea's take on shaved ice. It's exactly what you need when it's too hot outside, with the finely shaved ice melting in your mouth. The toppings are what make it so special though; you can get everything and anything from sweet red bean paste to different fruits, mochi, chocolate, and condensed milk.

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19. Bindae-tteok

Don't confuse bindae-tteok with paejeons! This is a different style of pancake, made out of mung bean and filled with vegetables and meat. They're pan-fried until the outside has a nice crispy texture while the inside is soft and warm. It's a definite must-try.

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20. Gangjeong

You can't go to Korea without experiencing Korean fried chicken! But if you just want a small snack that's still hearty and delicious, we recommend gangjeong. This type of Korean fried chicken tends to have much smaller pieces, but are still covered in a sticky sweet and spicy glaze. It's the perfect food to snack on as you continue down the market.

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