There are many reasons people travel for: the beautiful scenery, the local culture, shopping or even getting that perfect photo to memorialise your yearly trips by. But no one can deny that good food would rank somewhere high among that list – and we all know that good food can make that fantastic trip feel oh so much better.
It is definitely true that food is one way to explore the culture of a new place we’re going to. Whether you’re a die-hard Korean culture enthusiast or just a visiting tourist, you have to check out the mouthwatering comfort food that Korea has to offer.
Not only are they absolutely delicious, but they are also known for being affordable too. So next time you’re in Korea, check out these 5 popular street foods that they say every tourist has to try!
Tteokbokki (떡볶이)
Ah, that perfect snack dish for spicy food enthusiasts. Tteokbokki is arguably one of the most famous street food that you’ll find in Korea. Cylindrical-shaped Korean rice cake dipped and seasoned with chilli sauce, sure to warm you up in the cold autumns and winter.
This popular dish can mostly be found in the streets of Myeongdong and Gwanjang Market. Still, you can also visit the Tteokbokki town in Sindang to patronise some of the best tteokbokki restaurants in Seoul!
Kimbab (김밥)
Kimbab, also known as seaweed rice roll, is one of the most convenient snacks or meals you can have on the go. This dish is similar to Japan’s sushi, where it contains a sheet of baked seaweed wrapped with steamed rice, vegetables, and meat fillings.
Buy one along the streets of Myeongdong, and you can continue exploring Korea while getting a filling and delicious meal along the way. You can add a seemingly endless variety of fillings – and that’s what makes it a favourite dish for many people.
Korean Fried Chicken
Devoted fans of K-Drama would probably have noticed how Koreans love to eat this dish, also known as Yangnyeom Tongdak. This is not your ordinary fried chicken. Crispy paper-thin skin bursting with flavour without any oiliness – this is chicken fried to perfection.
Their secret? Double frying the chicken at different temperatures to achieve that golden crisp shell. Here’s a little tip to make it even better: pair it with a cold beer while you have this freshly fried chicken!
Corn Dog
The corn dog is a Korean street food that contains a hotdog coated in the batter. More than just a unique look, various places can mix up their batter to give it a greater depth of flavour. A crispy battered shell coated with multiple sauces gives way to a hotdog, definitely something for all hotdog lovers to try! Ranging from an octopus corn dog to a plain corn dog, the streets of Myeongdong have it all.
Egg Bread (계란빵)
Your trip to the country isn’t complete without trying the Korean street food egg bread, also known as gyeranppang (계란빵). The snack’s muffin-like appearance, along with the egg on top, will tempt you to add that extra few calories to end off your day.
This seemingly unique cross of an egg tart and muffin is something you can grab and eat to start your day with, almost like a dainty breakfast tart to begin your adventure in Korea with.
Conclusion
The best thing about visiting a new country is getting to try out new dishes and experience new flavours you’ve never tasted before. Indulge in Korean culture as you try out their mouthwatering street foods, many more of which we have not mentioned in this article.
Still not sure what to get? How about conversing with the locals and asking for their recommendations? Take some Korean lessons before your trip and get to know the locals through the Korean language. Sejong is a Korean language school in Singapore that offers excellent lessons for beginner and advanced students, and you are sure to get a good grasp of the Korean language in no time at all.