Discover the Best Street Food Places in Korea

South Korea is a food lover’s paradise, and its street food scene is no exception. From delicious snacks to mouth-watering meals, Korean street food has something for everyone. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, exploring the country’s vibrant street food culture should be on your bucket list. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best street food places in Korea, so you can plan your next food adventure.

🍟 Gwangjang Market

Located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Gwangjang Market is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in Korea. It’s a popular destination for foodies, thanks to its diverse selection of street food stalls. Here, you can find everything from bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) to tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and gimbap (seaweed rice rolls). Make sure to try the market’s famous mayak gimbap (addictive seaweed rice rolls), which are smaller and more flavorful than regular gimbap.

🍢 Myeong-dong street food

Myeong-dong is a bustling shopping district in Seoul, known for its trendy fashion boutiques and cosmetics shops. But it’s also home to some of the best street food places in Korea. Here, you’ll find a range of delicious snacks and desserts, including hotteok (sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar and cinnamon), tornado potatoes (spiral-cut potatoes on a stick), and bungeoppang (fish-shaped waffles with red bean paste filling).

🍜 Tongin Market

If you’re looking for a traditional Korean market experience, head to Tongin Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This historic market is home to over 70 street food stalls, offering a variety of tasty treats. One of the highlights of Tongin Market is the dosirak café, where you can create your own lunchbox by purchasing tokens and exchanging them for different dishes at various food stalls. This is a great way to sample multiple dishes and flavors in one go.

🍖 Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea, located in the heart of Seoul. It’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, thanks to its wide selection of street food stalls. From Korean barbecue to mandu (dumplings) and hotteok, Namdaemun Market has something for everyone. Make sure to visit the famous kalguksu alley, where you’ll find steaming bowls of hand-cut noodle soup.

🍣 Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market

If you’re a seafood lover, you can’t miss the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market in Seoul. This bustling market is home to over 700 stalls selling fresh seafood, including live octopus, king crabs, and abalone. But you don’t have to be a chef to enjoy the market’s seafood selection. There are also plenty of street food stalls offering grilled fish skewers, sashimi, and seafood pancakes.

🍡 Jeonju Hanok Village

If you’re looking to explore Korean culture while munching on some street food, head to Jeonju Hanok Village in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. This traditional village is home to over 800 hanok (traditional Korean houses), as well as a range of street food stalls. Here, you can try classic Korean snacks like hotteok and tteokbokki, as well as Jeonju’s famous bibimbap (mixed rice bowl).

🍔 Hongdae street food

Hongdae is a youthful and vibrant neighborhood in Seoul, known for its trendy cafes, art galleries, and live music scene. It’s also a great place to discover some of the best street food places in Korea. Here, you’ll find everything from Korean fried chicken to churros and macarons. Make sure to try the popular egg bread (gyeran bbang), which is a soft and fluffy bread filled with an egg yolk.

🍛 Seomyeon food alley

If you’re visiting Busan, make sure to check out Seomyeon food alley, a bustling street food destination in the heart of the city. Here, you can sample a range of Korean dishes, including dwaeji gukbap (pork soup with rice), pajeon (scallion pancakes), and ssiat hotteok (sweet pancakes filled with seeds and nuts). The alley is open 24 hours, so you can satisfy your food cravings at any time of day or night.

🍧 Insadong street food

Insadong is a cultural and artistic neighborhood in Seoul, known for its traditional Korean crafts and souvenirs. But it’s also home to some of the best street food places in Korea. Here, you can try a range of sweet and savory snacks, including hotteok, tteokbokki, and bingsu (shaved ice with toppings). Make sure to visit the famous Ssamziegil shopping mall, which has a rooftop garden and a range of food stalls.

🍕 Gangneung Coffee Street

Gangneung is a coastal city in Gangwon Province, known for its beautiful beaches and coffee culture. But it’s also home to a unique street food destination: Gangneung Coffee Street. Here, you can try a range of coffee-inspired snacks and desserts, including coffee waffles, coffee bingsu, and coffee hotteok. The street is lined with trendy cafes and food stalls, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the seaside atmosphere.

🍩 Gyeongju Market

Gyeongju is a historic city in North Gyeongsang Province, known for its UNESCO World Heritage sites and traditional culture. But it’s also home to a vibrant street food scene, centered around Gyeongju Market. Here, you can try a range of regional specialties, including hwangnam-ppang (flower-shaped bread filled with red bean paste), gyeongju-ppang (round bread with sesame seeds), and ssiat hotteok. Make sure to visit the market’s famous bindaetteok alley, which has been featured on Korean TV shows.

🌭 Namak traditional market

Namak traditional market is a hidden gem in the city of Incheon, located near the Incheon International Airport. It’s a great place to sample some of the best street food places in Korea, including dakgangjeong (sweet and spicy fried chicken), sundae (blood sausage), and kalguksu. The market is smaller than some of the others on this list, but it has a cozy and friendly atmosphere.

🍖 Ssanggyeong traditional market

Ssanggyeong traditional market is another hidden gem, located in the city of Gwangju. It’s a popular destination for locals, thanks to its diverse selection of street food stalls. Here, you can try a range of Korean dishes, including kalguksu, tteokbokki, and mandu. Make sure to visit the market’s famous sundae alley, which serves up some of the best blood sausage in Korea.

🍜 Jagalchi Fish Market

Jagalchi Fish Market is a famous seafood market in Busan, known for its fresh fish and bustling atmosphere. But it’s also a great place to sample some of the best street food places in Korea. Here, you can try a range of seafood snacks and dishes, including grilled fish skewers, sashimi, and eomuk (fish cake). Make sure to visit the market’s outdoor food stalls, where you can enjoy your food while overlooking the sea.

Best Street Food Places In Korea: FAQ

1. What is Korean street food?

Korean street food refers to a variety of snacks and dishes sold by street vendors and food stalls in Korea. These can include savory snacks like tteokbokki and hotteok, as well as more substantial dishes like bibimbap and Korean barbecue.

2. What are the most popular Korean street foods?

Some of the most popular Korean street foods include tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), hotteok (sweet pancakes), gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), and Korean fried chicken. Other favorites include mandu (dumplings), sundae (blood sausage), and eomuk (fish cake).

3. What is the best time to visit Korean street food places?

Korean street food places are typically open throughout the day and night, so you can visit them at any time. However, some places may be more crowded during peak hours, such as lunchtime or dinnertime.

4. How much does Korean street food cost?

Korean street food prices can vary depending on the dish and the location. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 won (approximately 1 to 10 USD) for a street food snack or meal.

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