Korean cuisine has gained popularity globally for its bold, complex flavours and visually vibrant food. However, Korean food transcends beyond hotpots, an array of side dishes and comforting stews.
The country's street food scene offers an extraordinary culinary experience that reveals the heart of Korean food culture—affordable, flavourful and deeply satisfying. Read on to discover the best Korean street food.
List of best street food in Korea
Some of the most popular street foods in Korea include:
Also known as Gimbap, this dish features seasoned rice wrapped in seaweed with various fillings. Traditionally, these fillings include ground beef, fish cakes, fried egg and marinated vegetables like spinach, carrots and pickled radish.
Contemporary versions feature tuna mixed with mayonnaise, avocado, spicy shrimp or imitation crab meat.
These chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy, savoury gochujang-based sauce represent Korean comfort food at its finest. The cylindrical rice cakes (tteok) are typically simmered with fish cakes (eomuk), scallions and sometimes topped with a hard-boiled egg.
Modern variations include cabbage, melted cheese or dumplings for added texture and flavour.
These delightful, sweet-filled pancakes are the perfect winter street snack. The yeasted dough is stuffed with a mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar and chopped peanuts. The exterior becomes crispy and golden-brown while the interior remains soft with molten, sweet filling.
This double-fried chicken has conquered taste buds worldwide. The chicken is coated in a thin batter before being fried twice, resulting in an impossibly crispy exterior whilst maintaining a juicy, tender interior.
It's typically served with a variety of sauces—from sticky, sweet soy garlic to fiery gochujang-based varieties.
Places to eat street food in Korea
The most authentic Korean street food can be found in these bustling markets and neighbourhoods:
- Gwangjang Market (Seoul)
- Jagalchi Fish Market (Busan)
- Namdaemun Market (Seoul)
- Myeongdong Street Food Alley (Seoul)
Conclusion
Don't miss the opportunity to sample these treats on your next visit to Korea, where some of the most memorable dining experiences happen not in restaurants, but along the vibrant streets a where locals have gathered to eat for centuries.
As you embark on your adventure, remember to take appropriate precautionary measures. Plan your itinerary, carry essential documents and acquire travel insurance online. Suitable travel insurance for Korea can offer crucial protection against unforeseen events like delays, cancellations, theft and more.
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