These Korean Street Foods Will Blow Your Mind

Last Updated on 4 weeks by traveldrafts

We loved Korean food in all its glory of flavours, textures, and colors, and a big reason for that was the street food. It is a whole adventure waiting to be discovered, from sizzling pancakes to sweet pastries.

The Korean street foods will blow your mind with bold, surprising, and addictive flavors. Every market corner smells like something delicious is cooking, and it’s impossible to walk by without getting curious.

Yet, eating street food in Korea isn’t just about the food — it’s a social experience. Locals gather around tiny tables, share bites, and enjoy the fast-paced, lively atmosphere. Dishes are a mix of traditional recipes and modern twists, giving you a taste of Korean culture in the most fun way possible.

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Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned foodie, these Korean street foods are must-tries that will make your trip unforgettable — from spicy rice cakes to fish-shaped sweet treats.

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Savory Street Snacks

Eomuk Tang – Fish Cakes in Broth

Skewered fish cakes, usually made from white fish like pollock or cod, are boiled in a light fish broth. You sip the broth and bite the silky, lightly fishy cakes straight from the skewer. They also appear alongside tteokbokki or stews, making them versatile and delicious.

They are delicious, but we suggest trying a few because they are pretty different from one another.

Two slices of fried fish cakes on wooden skewers are placed on a city sidewalk—a classic street food staple and a must-try for anyone wondering what to eat in South Korea—with people and city life bustling by in the background.

Tteokbokki – Spicy Rice Cakes

Chewy rice cakes cooked with fish cakes in a spicy chili sauce make it the ultimate comfort food. Hot, flavorful, and perfect for a cold day. Non-spicy versions are available for tourists, but the heat is an integral part of the authentic experience.

A large pot filled with tteokbokki, a must-try when deciding what to eat in South Korea—this Korean street food consists of rice cakes in a spicy red sauce, garnished with vegetables. A server wearing gloves places them on a green plate.

Corn Dog – Korean Twist on a Classic

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these skewered sausages are often topped with mayonnaise and ketchup. Some versions include fried chips or cheese — a must-try for every adventurous foodie.

A hand holds a wrapped corndog at the base, centered in focus, with a scene of a bustling street market, food stalls, and people in the background—offering a glimpse of what you eat in South Korea. Neon signs and umbrellas are visible.

Buchimgae – Korean Savory Pancakes

Made with kimchi, zucchini, scallions, or mung beans. Fried in a hot pan or deep-fried, they are soft like an omelet with a strong flavor from the main ingredient. Hot and fresh, they are a must-try at most food markets. They were delicious, and just writing about them gives me a craving.

A round, golden-brown pancake—what you eat in South Korea—is cut into slices and arranged on a plate, with a bowl of dipping sauce with chopped onions placed in the center.

Gyeranppang – Fluffy Mini Loaf with Egg

A comforting mini loaf made from pancake batter with a whole egg baked in the center. Slightly sweet, savory, and soft, it melts in your mouth. Its irresistible aroma is one of the best things about it — you’ll often spot it just by the smell on the street.

Rows of steaming gyeran-ppang, a must-try when deciding what to eat in South Korea, are displayed on a metal tray at a street food stall. A vendor stands behind the food, cups and paper bags stacked nearby.

Gilgeori Toast – Breakfast with a Twist

Made with cabbage, carrots, chives, and eggs, cooked on a hot grill and layered on bread with cheese, ham, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Watching the vendors make these toasts so quickly and precisely is almost as enjoyable as eating them.

A hand holds a sandwich with shredded cabbage, an omelet, and ketchup in a paper wrapper—a tasty example of what you'd eat in South Korea. In the background, you can see a paved sidewalk and someone wearing white sneakers.

Gimbap – Korean Picnic Roll

Like sushi, but bigger and packed with ingredients. Found at street stalls and convenience stores. Common fillings include kimchi, bulgogi, egg, pickled radish, sausage, carrot, and tuna salad. Practical, portable, and delicious.

A hand holding a sushi roll - a tempting choice for anyone wondering what to eat in South Korea.

Sweet Street Treats

Bungeo-ppang

Fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste, custard, or chestnut. Fresh from the mold, it’s crispy on the outside, warm, and soft on the inside — a perfect winter street snack—one of the most famous sweets from Korea (but also Japan and Taiwan).

A hand holding a partially eaten fish-shaped pastry filled with red bean filling, atop a piece of printed paper, captures the cozy atmosphere of Seoul street food in winter against a gray asphalt backdrop.

Soboro Ppang

Soft bun topped with sweet, crumbly peanut streusel and usually filled with cream. Beyond soboro ppang, Korean bakeries offer a wide variety of pastries — cream puffs, castella cake, canelés, egg tarts, and more.

A tray with various baked goods—including slices of garlic cheese baguette, a pastry dusted with powdered sugar, a roll, and a Paris Baguette—shows what you eat in South Korea, with a fork, napkin, and hand partially visible.

Hotteok – Sweet Pancake

Golden pancake made with wheat and rice flour, stuffed with sugar, cinnamon, and crushed nuts like peanuts or walnuts. Some versions add honey, cheese, or red bean paste. Best enjoyed straight from the pan while the filling is still gooey and molten. We absolutely loved this one and were constantly looking for it in the markets.

Two people wearing gloves prepare round, golden-brown pastries in hot oil in a metal fryer—a must-have snack for anyone curious about what to eat in South Korea. People's faces are hidden, surrounded by cooking utensils and containers.

Dalgona (Bbopki)

Nostalgic Korean sugar candy made with melted sugar and baking soda. Light, crunchy, and slightly caramelized with a smoky edge. Vendors press a shape (star, heart, or even an umbrella) into the candy. For Koreans, it’s a classic street treat full of childhood memories, and it was recently popularized globally by Squid Game.

A display of round honeycomb cookies on sticks, each with different shapes or cartoon characters pressed into them—a fun example of what you eat in South Korea. Below, tins of cookies in the shapes of circles, triangles, stars, umbrellas, and hearts.

Kkwabaegi – Twisted Korean Donuts

Lightly sweet, twisted donuts coated with sugar and cinnamon. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside — a perfect, visually appealing street snack. It is very similar to a Portuguese/Spanish fartura. So it wasn’t the most novel thing for us, but it was good!

Tips for Enjoying Street Food in Korea

Go with friends — Street food is meant to be shared. Sit at the tiny plastic tables, swap bites, and enjoy the lively atmosphere together. Many dishes are designed for communal eating, so it’s way more fun with company.
Follow the crowds — Busy stalls usually mean the best flavors. Locals know where to go, and watching a popular vendor cook at lightning speed is part of the experience.
Visit the markets — Gwangjang Market (Seoul), BIFF Square (Busan), Noryangjin Fish Market (Seoul), or Seomyeon Market (Busan), and let them try many classics in one stop. Each market has its own specialties and vibe, so take your time wandering, observing, and tasting.

A bustling night market in an urban area—perfect for those looking for South Korea travel tips—with people at food stalls under striped awnings and others strolling past tall buildings and colorful Korean signs.

Try the spicy dishes — A little heat is part of the authentic experience. Even if you prefer mild flavors, tasting the classic spicy sauces (like gochujang in tteokbokki) gives you a true sense of Korean street food culture.
Keep an open mind — Some items may look unusual or unfamiliar, but every bite tells a story. From fish-shaped pastries to twisted donuts or steamed egg custards, each snack has its own history and tradition.
Timing matters — Some foods are best eaten hot off the grill or fresh from the fryer, so try to eat them right away. The aroma, texture, and flavors are at their peak, and it’s a big part of what makes Korean street food so addictive.

People walk through a bustling open-air market filled with stalls selling vegetables and other produce—a perfect place to explore what to eat in South Korea. Vendors and shoppers wear face masks, with tall buildings and Korean signs visible in the background.

Exploring Korea’s street food is more than just tasting—it’s diving into culture, tradition, and pure fun. Don’t just read about it—grab a bite and see for yourself!

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