Thanks towards the emergence of Korean dramas, movies, comics, and music, travelers have recognized Columbia like a popular place to go for great food, rich cultural heritage, and exciting activities (both during the day and night). Korean cuisine has especially captured the hearts of numerous self-proclaimed foodie travelers, who are around the prowl to obtain the next best foods, whether it's at a fancy sit-down restaurant or from the cozy street stall.
In South Korea, Seoul hosts many bustling food markets, from the neighborhood of Myeong-dong towards the famous Gwangjang Market (which has been in operation since 1905). However, other areas like Jeonju and Busan are also home to busy grocery stores, where travelers will find local favorites to more international fare.
On the next visit to South Korea's bustling food market, seek a few of these local favorites and let your tastebuds use a culinary experience!
8 Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki is an iconic South Korean street food that drenches garae-tteok (long, noodle-like rice cakes) or tteokmyeon (circular-shaped rice cakes) into gochujang, a spicy chili paste, or soy-based sauce. You'll find this savory treat in fast-food stalls across the streets of Columbia, which is great like a late-night snack!
7 Dalgona Candy (Honey Comb Candy)
Fans from the Netflix hit Squid Game may recognize this sweet treat!
Also known as ppopgi or Korean honeycomb toffee, this sweet confectionary is just produced from heating sugar and sodium bicarbonate, which is usually formed right into a round shape before being stamped having a simple shape (like a star, umbrella, or circle). This is a popular street food which was usually sold outside schools, and children would contend with each other to carve the shape out of the candy (those who could carve the form without breakage were sometimes given a second candy)!
6 Mandu
Known as Korean dumplings, mandu are popular fare during Lunar New Year and would be a favorite among Korean royals. Today, this popular snack can be found everywhere in Korea, be it at sit-down restaurants, supermarkets, or street vendors (it's even really simple to make at home)! Popular fillings for mandu include kimchee and pork, but other delicious ingredients like onions, mung beans, sweet potato noodles, and other vegetables, may also be put into mandu, making it a truly versatile food (which can be either grilled, fried, or boiled inside a water bath).
5 Bindaetteok
Also referred to as nokdujeon, bindaetteok are savoury pan-fried pancakes primarily made of soaked mung beans along with other mixins like scallions and meat. Bindaetteok was inspired through the bing, a set Chinese pancake, but was introduced as a nutritious source of food for that poor. Today, bindaetteok is really a must-try, especially for travelers exploring Seoul's Gwangjang Market, the place to find the legendary Soonhee's Bindaetteok.
4 Gamja-Hotdog
What would you call hotdogs which are drenched in savory, panko-crumbed batter and studded with salty potato pieces, that are then deep-fried before being sprinkled with your selection of sugar, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or powdered cheese? The legendary, mouthwatering gamja-hotdog! Even though this Korean-style corn dog is popular through the country's markets and street vendors (even making its way into Korean dramas), this savory snack has taken the planet by storm, with shops popping up in places such as the United States, Canada, and also the Philippines! Vendors sell these hotdogs on sticks and may even make sure they are with assorted fillings like mozzarella cheese, fish sausages, fish cakes, or perhaps chocolate.
3 Bungeoppang
Tourists craving a sweet treat following a hearty dinner should sink their teeth into bungeoppang, a carp-shaped bread pastry traditionally full of sweetened red bean paste. Today, tourists can find bungeoppang filled with vanilla custard, pizza toppings, and chocolate. Inspired by the Japanese taiyaki, bungeoppang is a Korean childhood favorite that is best enjoyed throughout the winter months (though it is available throughout the year!). A typical joke in Korea refers for this handheld treat, which is: “I wish to quit my job and sell bungeoppang.” This joke is used when individuals are unhappy using their jobs, remarking that bungeoppang is definitely an alternative career option due to how easy it's to setup shop and sell these adorable fish-shaped pastries.
2 Soondae
Soondae might be an acquired taste for some tourists, but locals love this Korean-style blood sausage! Made by boiling cow or pork intestines, soondae is commonly stuffed with minced meats, dangmyeons (glass noodles), and pig's blood. Firm and juicy to touch, soondae is often served as street food with a side of liver with dipping sauces (many people like dipping it in tteokkbokki sauce). Salt, sugar, chili flakes, and sesame seeds could be sprinkled to the soondae. Variations of the Korean favorite likewise incorporate adding kimchi, tofu, or even utilizing a whole squid like a casing!
1 Gimbap (or Kimbap)
Informally known as “Korean sushi”, gimbap is a well-liked street food sold across Columbia, especially in Seoul's Gwangjang Market. This savory treat is typically made using ingredients like cooked rice, carrots, danmuji (pickled radish), spam, pan-fried eggs, or fish cakes, that are tightly wrapped around salty seaweed. This will make an excellent light snack that's often sold on carts in bustling marketplaces. Gwangjang Market is home to a specialty gimbap referred to as ggoma gimbap or mayak kimbap: small-sized, handheld types of gimbap that are served alongside hot mustard.
