SAEDNEWS: South Korea is a country with a rich and diverse culinary heritage. Korean dishes have become so popular that both locals and visitors describe them as flavorful, spicy, satisfying, and nutritious—perfect to enjoy at any time of the day. In this article, we explore some of the most delicious street foods that South Korea has to offer.
According to Saed News’ tourism service, South Korea, especially Seoul, is packed with restaurants and street food stalls serving a wide variety of Korean dishes. Numerous streets and neighborhoods are dedicated to street food, which often become especially crowded and bustling at night. These areas, full of vibrant atmosphere, flavors, and aromas, are the best places to experience Korean cuisine firsthand. In this article, we introduce some of South Korea’s most famous and delicious street foods. If you plan to visit Seoul, be sure to try these dishes during your trip.
“Mandu” is a general term for Korean dumplings. They are made with various fillings wrapped in thin dough and cooked in different ways—boiled, fried, or served in special soups. In South Korea, it’s common for mothers and wives to make hundreds of dumplings at once, freezing them for use over the following months. In Seoul’s streets, these dumplings are widely available. Just keep a napkin handy when eating them, as the sauces and fillings often spill out when you bite. Many people prefer to pop the dumpling whole into their mouth to avoid the mess.
Odeng, or fish cake, is another popular Korean street food. It’s made by mashing cooked white fish and mixing it with ingredients like rice flour, salt, rice vinegar, and sugar, then skewering and grilling it. While fish cakes are sometimes shaped like pancakes or molded into fish shapes, skewered odeng is the most common way to enjoy this savory treat.
Gyeranppang, or Korean egg muffins, are a favorite street snack and are widely sold in cities like Seoul. These small muffins contain a half-cooked egg in the center, often topped with parsley. They are perfect for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack, or a light meal, offering a delicious balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors.
Tteokbokki is arguably the king of Korean street food. Once served as a royal appetizer, it is now a beloved street snack. Cooked rice cakes are simmered in a spicy, flavorful sauce and served hot, making it ideal for those who enjoy bold, spicy flavors. Sometimes it’s served with other fried foods, but the simplest street version consists of small rice cakes, sometimes skewered for easier eating.
Although fried chicken was introduced to Korea by American soldiers, Koreans adapted it into their own version. Small pieces of chicken are double-fried for a crispy texture and coated with a sauce made of spicy honey, sesame seeds, garlic, peanuts, and chili powder. The result is a perfectly crunchy and flavorful snack that’s easy to eat.
Japchae literally means “mixed noodles” in Korean. It is made with sweet potato starch noodles stir-fried with vegetables such as carrots, spinach, mushrooms, and onions, then seasoned with soy sauce. Various flavors of japchae can be found on Seoul’s streets, offering a light yet savory option for street food lovers.
Gimbap, inspired by Japanese sushi, is essentially Korean-style sushi with slight differences. It typically includes rice, egg, radish, carrot, cucumber, and sometimes tuna. Unlike Japanese sushi, rice vinegar is not used; instead, the rice is seasoned with sesame oil. Gimbap is usually made in small, bite-sized rolls and wrapped in foil for easy street eating.
With countless vendors selling street foods like tteokbokki and odeng, Seoul can truly feel like an open-air restaurant. Affordable, delicious, and nutritious, street food is an essential part of the Seoul experience. For food lovers, exploring these vibrant street foods is a must when visiting the city. Saed News introduces you to the tastiest street foods South Korea has to offer.
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