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A Foodie’s Guide to Seoul: Top 15 Must-Try Street Foods

· 3 min read
Elena Vance
Elena Vance
Editor-in-Chief & Logistics Expert

In Seoul, you don't need a reservation to eat like a king. You just need 5,000 won and a pair of comfortable shoes. The streets of Myeongdong and the aisles of Gwangjang Market are the world's greatest open-air kitchens.

Here is the ultimate checklist of 15 street foods you must try, ranging from timeless classics to the latest TikTok trends.

A Foodie’s Guide to Seoul: Top 15 Must-Try Street Foods

The Holy Trinity (Savory Classics)​

You will see these orange tents (Pojangmacha) everywhere. This is the baseline.

1. Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)​

Thick, chewy rice cakes swimming in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce.

  • Pro Tip: Don't wear white essence. The sauce stains forever.

2. Odeng (Fish Cake Skewers)​

folded fish cake sheets on a long stick, boiled in radish broth.

  • The Hack: The broth is free and self-service. Grab a paper cup and ladle it yourself to warm up.

3. Twigim (Korean Tempura)​

Deep-fried everything. Squid, shrimp, sweet potato, and "Gim-mari" (glass noodles wrapped in seaweed).

  • How to eat: Dip it in the Tteokbokki sauce.

Winter Sweets (Warm Comfort)​

These appear when the temperature drops.

4. Hotteok (Sweet Pancakes)​

Fried dough filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts.

  • Warning: The syrup inside is molten lava. Bite carefully or you will burn your tongue.

5. Bungeoppang (Fish-Shaped Pastry)​

A fish-shaped waffle cake.

  • The Debate: Are you Team Red Bean (Original) or Team Custard/Choux (Modern)?

6. Gyeran-ppang (Egg Bread)​

A loaf of sweet, fluffy cornbread with a whole savory egg baked on top. The perfect breakfast snack.

Gwangjang Market Legends​

Go to Gwangjang Market (Jongno 5-ga Station) for these specific items.

7. Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancake)​

Made from ground mung beans, pork, and kimchi, fried in a pool of oil until crispy. Best paired with Makgeolli (Rice Wine).

8. Mayak Gimbap ("Drug" Rolls)​

Miniature seaweed rice rolls.

  • Why "Drug"? Because the mustard dipping sauce is addictively good, not because of narcotics.

9. Sundae (Blood Sausage)​

Steamed glass noodles and pork blood stuffed in intestine casing. It has a mild, earthy taste and chewy texture.

Myeongdong's Viral Hits​

Myeongdong Street is where food trends are born (and where prices are higher).

10. Korean Corn Dog (Gamja-hotdog)​

Not your ballpark dog. It's coated in french fries, deep-fried, and rolled in sugar.

11. 10-Won Bread (Coin Bread)​

A giant bread shaped like a 10-won coin.

  • The Gimmick: It’s filled with a massive block of mozzarella cheese that stretches for miles.

12. Grilled Cheese Lobster​

A whole lobster tail grilled with butter and cheese. Expensive (~20,000 KRW) but luxurious.

13. Tornado Potato (Hoeori-gamja)​

A whole potato cut into a spiral, fried on a long stick, and dusted with onion or cheese powder.

14. Grilled Chicken Skewers (Dakkochi)​

Juicy chicken and scallions grilled over fire and brushed with spicy or teriyaki sauce.

15. Roasted Marshmallow Ice Cream​

A block of ice cream inside a marshmallow. The vendor torches it right in front of you. Hot outside, cold inside.

Street Food Etiquette 101​

  • Cash is King: Many stalls now accept cards, but 1,000 KRW bills are faster and preferred.
  • No Trash Bins: Seoul has very few public trash cans. Hand your stick or cup back to the vendor—they will dispose of it.
  • Stand and Eat: It is considered messy to walk while eating. Stand by the stall, finish your food, then move on.

Seoul's street food is not just a snack; it's a culture of fast, hot, and communal eating.