Today, as a Korean, I’m going to introduce you to hidden Korean street food in Seoul that only locals know about. If you’re visiting Korea soon, be sure to save this list and check it out! And if you have friends going to Korea, don’t forget to share it with them!
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What is The Famous Korean Street Food?
Korean street food is incredibly tempting, especially with its delicious aroma filling the streets. It’s one of the simple pleasures for Koreans – being drawn in by the smell, grabbing a bite with friends, and chatting while standing around a food stall. Plus, street food is super affordable!
Popular Korean street foods include tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), hotteok (sweet pancakes), eomuk (fish cakes), and kimbap, among many others. But I’m sure you already know them. What you may be wondering is, where can you find the best? This is hotteok which is one of Korean street food recipes.
I want to take your Korean street food experience to the next level. Not the ones that cater to tourists, but the ones that Koreans really love. Let me show you the real hidden gems of Korean street food!
Local Korean Street Foods
Tteokbokki and corn dogs are not the only Korean street foods! The 10 hidden Korean street foods I’m about to show you come from the real places the locals go – not the tourist traps. That means no overpriced gimmicks, just authentic and delicious food at affordable prices.
If you’re looking for ‘Seoul food’ today, you’ve come to the right place! I’ll introduce you to traditional street food stalls that have been around for over 30 years, as well as trendy new spots that are gaining popularity among Koreans.
If you have friends planning a trip to Korea, be sure to share this with them!
10 Hidden Korean Street Foods
1. Changdong Grandmother Toast
This is one of the original Korean street toast! Of all the street toast stalls in Korea, Changdong Grandmother Toast is the most famous. The signature style here is a thick layer of vegetables mixed with egg, piled high between two slices of buttery, perfectly grilled bread. It’s then topped with sugar, ketchup and mustard – a combination that guarantees an unforgettable taste.
The shop was founded by grandma Park I-soon, who believed in “building relationships rather than profits”. This philosophy lives on, as you can still enjoy her giant Grandma Toast for only 3,000 KRW. Most Koreans go for the Ham & Cheese Toast, which costs only 4,000 KRW. If you love Korean street-style toast, this is a must!
Popular Menu Items:
- Grandma Toast – 3,000 KRW ($ 2)
- Ham & Cheese Toast – 4,000 KRW ($ 2.5)
Address: 15, Deokrung-ro 60da-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul
2. Konkuk University Dakgangjeong: Daebak Chicken
This place is famous for its huge portions of crispy Korean sweet and spicy fried chicken stacked high in a box. They fry the chicken fresh and dip it in sauce on the spot, keeping it warm and crispy even after it cools. Grab a beer from a convenience store and enjoy chimaek (chicken & beer) with friends!!
Popular Menu Items:
- Mild, Spicy, or Fried Chicken
- Large size – 10,000 KRW ($6.8)
- Small size – 7,000 KRW ($4.8) (Plenty for two people!)
Address: 75, Achasan-ro 29-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (Near Konkuk Univ. Station, Exit 1)
3. Jjanggun Tteokbokki
The rich aroma of gochujang (Korean chili paste) and the perfect balance of spicy, sweet and savory make this tteokbokki unforgettable. Jjanggun Tteokbokki uses chewy rice cakes that are freshly made every morning, providing the perfect texture with every bite. The thick and soft rice cakes soak up the savory sauce, giving it a deep, satisfying flavor.
One unique feature is that the owner cuts the tteokbokki with a spatula right after you order it, ensuring freshness and just the right size.
Popular Menu Items:
- Tteok-o-Beombeok (Tteokbokki and Fish Cake Combination)
Address: 8, Gangnam-daero 116-gil, Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
4. Seongsu Station Exit 4 Donuts
This place is famous for its 1,000 KRW (about $0.7) donuts in Seongsu-dong! The highlight is their chewy sticky rice doughnuts that are freshly fried in clean oil and sprinkled with sugar. They offer an authentic taste of traditional Korean chewy donuts, just like the ones you’d find in the market.
Popular Menu Item:
- 7 Chewy Rice Donuts – 1,000 KRW ($0.7)
Address: 104, Achasan-ro, Jeil Building, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Near Seongsu Station Exit 4)
5. Dongdaemun Grandfather Crepe
This place is famous for its Grandfather Crepes, made by a grandfather who carefully prepares each one right in front of you! As soon as you order, the crepe batter is freshly cooked, giving it a warm, chewy texture.
The most popular item is the Strawberry Banana Crepe, where Nutella is spread on the freshly made crepe and topped with fresh fruit like strawberries and bananas. Adding whipped cream or ice cream on top makes it even more delicious.
Despite being street food, this stand is known for its high level of hygiene. Ingredients are kept in a refrigerator and different cutting boards are used for each type of fruit. Each crepe is made with great care and attention to detail. He often sells out within 2-3 hours of opening, so get there early!
Popular Menu Item:
- Strawberry Banana Crepe
Address: 18-220, Euljiro 6-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (In front of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit 13)
6. Teolbone Tteokkochi (Teolbo’s Skewered Rice Cakes)
Teolbone Tteokkochi is a beloved comfort street food spot among Koreans, offering a variety of skewers that have been a staple for 30 years. This place is known for its tteokkochi (skewered rice cakes), spicy fish cakes, and sotteok sotteok (skewers with sausage and rice cakes).
Most of the skewers are priced at a very affordable 1,000 KRW, and the sauces are reminiscent of the flavors of Korean fried chicken sauces, which makes them popular with everyone. Even the most expensive skewer, Sotteok Sotteok, is only 2,500 KRW.
Popular Menu Items:
- Tteokkochi
- Sotteok Sotteok
Address: 291-1, Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Sookdaeipgu Station Exit 8)
7. Dongdaemun ‘Salad Bread’
A famous treat from Dongdaemun Market, Salad Bread is made by frying freshly baked bread into a crispy yet moist croquette. The croquette is made of sweet rice, giving it a chewy texture that’s irresistible. The bread is then sliced in half and filled with a generous amount of cucumber, ham and cabbage salad. It’s widely known among Koreans as a nostalgic salad bread. With such a large portion, it’s also perfect as a full meal. The combination of ham, ketchup, and mustard sauce creates a perfect harmony of flavors.
Popular Menu Item:
- Vegetable Bread
Address: 259-3, Jongno 6-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Dongdaemun Station Exit 9)
Even if you are not in Korea, you can make it at home! Here’s the Korean salad bread (salad ppang) recipe.
8. Mangwon Warm Hotteok: Ppringcle Hotteok
This place offers unique hotteok varieties like Injeolmi Hotteok, Ppringcle Hotteok, Seed Hotteok, and Corn Hotteok. The most famous item is the Ppringcle Hotteok (2,000 KRW), which is a sweet and salty treat. The hotteok is freshly fried, crispy, chewy, and coated with a generous amount of Ppringcle powder — a cheese-flavored powder from the popular Korean fried chicken brand BHC. The combination of the crispy and chewy texture with the sweet and salty Ppingcle powder makes it a beloved snack among young Koreans.
Popular Menu Item:
- Ppringcle Hotteok – 2,000 KRW
Address: 25, Poeun-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Basement 1st Floor, Hoonhoon Hotteok)
9. Seoul National University Station Jeon House
Located right by Seoul National University Station Exit 3, this street food joint greets you with the savory scent of pancakes (jeon) as soon as you step out of the subway. The prices are affordable (around 2,000-3,000 KRW), and the portions are generous, making it a great value. The Best-Selling Menu Item is the Squid Jeon, packed with generous portions of squid. Other varieties like Kimchi Jeon, Chive Jeon, Dongtae Jeon, and Potato Jeon are also available.
Popular Menu Items:
- Squid Jeon – 11,000 KRW ($ 7.5)
- Kimchi Jeon – 2,500 KRW ($ 1.7)
Address: 173-3, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (Exit 3, Seoul National University Station)
10. Jinseong Mandu, Mangwon Market
This is a must-visit spot for dumpling lovers, famous for its large, juicy dumplings that Koreans consider life-changing. Known for its large mandu(dumplings) stuffed with meat or kimchi, the thin, chewy wrapper reveals the rich, savory filling that explodes with flavor. These dumplings sell out early, so it’s recommended to get there early to avoid missing out.
Popular Menu Items:
- Meat Mandu (5 pieces) – 8,000 KRW ($ 5.5)
- Kimchi Mandu (5 pieces) – 8,000 KRW ($ 5.5)
Address: 9, World Cup-ro 13-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Exit 2, Mangwon Station)