By Sandra Vo, Editing Manager
In a city as rich in culture as Seoul, the capital of South Korea, good food might be right outside your door (literally). Seoul’s streets are bustling with a variety of street food vendors, whipping up everything from toasted marshmallow ice cream to spicy chicken feet. While you might need a big gulp of Pepto Bismol the next day, it’s definitely worth the risk. This is a bitesize guide to some of the best street foods that Seoul has to offer.
1. Sotteok Sotteok (소떡 쏘떡)
Photo by Sandra Vo.
Like most modernized foods in Korea, sotteok is a combination between two words: sausage (소시지) and rice cake (떡). Its full name sotteok sotteok doubles as a visual description of the food, which is alternating sausage and rice cake. The entire skewer is covered in a Korean sweet chili sauce, consisting of gochujang (a spicy paste used in Korean cooking, made from red chili, peppers, fermented soybeans, rice, and salt), sugar, and other spices according to the vendor’s fancy. Both the chewy rice cake and the firm sausage makes for a textured meal with the benefit of being tasty.
2. Beef Skewers
Photo by Sandra Vo.
Beef is notoriously pricey in South Korea, but the vendors selling these beef skewers are still able to deliver delicious skewers to satisfy any carnivorous cravings. Although pricier than some street food (sitting at 10,000 won which is about 7.50 USD), this is worth the expense. This particular beef skewer was grilled and then roasted using a butane torch, creating a mouth-water caramelization on the surface of the beef. Be careful eating this one while sitting down, the beef is so juicy that it tends to drip down the skewer and onto unsuspecting laps.
3. Egg Bread (계란빵)
Photo by Sandra Vo.
Korean egg bread (romanized as gyeran-ppang), is nothing less than as advertised. Quite literally a miniature loaf of bed with an egg embedded in the middle, egg bread is popular among street vendors as a quick, warm bite. The subtly sweet taste of the bread paired with the ever-so-slightly gooey egg in the center makes for a popular, cheap snack.
4. Tanghulu (탕후루)
Photo by Sandra Vo.
Although tanghulu, a candied fruit snack, is a traditionally Chinese dessert, it’s taken off in Korea as an extremely trendy and popular snack. Even just around Hongdae, there’s a tanghulu store almost every single block. Street vendors also have their stake in the business, serving up tanghulu in almost every market you can find. Tanghulu is a line of fruit covered in a sugary shell, which makes for a sweet yet tangy mouthful. It’s perfect for those craving dessert that you can eat on the go.
5. Hotteok (호떡)
Photo by Sandra Vo.
People with nut allergens, beware! People without nut allergens, prepare! A pancake with a nut and brown sugar filling, hotteok is just the right amount of sweet and chewy. Hotteok is also a classic Korean street food, especially in the winter time since the warm pancake can also serve as a hand warmer. Some vendors also offer nutella or more savory fillings.
6. Cheesy Lobster Tails
Photo by Sandra Vo.
While almost exclusively available in the Myeongdong (a neighborhood in the Jung District of Seoul, South Korea) night market, these vendors always have a crowd and for good reason. It’s definitely a show to watch how these lobster tails are roasted on the grill and topped with a golden brown layer of cheese. For 20,000 won or 14.80 USD, you can get an entire lobster tail that’s both moist and flavorful.