K-Buzz POPULAR SNACKS

The most beloved snacks, bunsik

Bunsik, literally meaning "food made from flour," is a term that refers to reasonably priced Korean dishes. The most adored bunsik include gimbap, tteokbokki and eomuk (fish cake). Bunsik can easily be found at traditional markets, street vendors, and around popular tourist attractions or shopping districts.

 

Gimbap

Gimbap is made using rice seasoned with vinegar, sugar and salt. The rice is then placed on a sheet of laver. Strips of eggs, eomuk, carrot, seasoned spinach and pickled radish are then lined up in the middle to be rolled together into a cylinder shape. The roll is then cut into bite-sized pieces. The taste can be quite versatile, depending on the ingredients. Gimbap is a perfect meal option for when you’re on the go!

 

Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is one of the most common food items sold by street vendors. Cylinder-shaped rice cakes with eomuk and vegetables are cooked in a spicy yet sweet red pepper sauce. Various fusion tteokbokki can also be found, including tteokbokki made using jjajang (black bean sauce) or with garlic toppings.

 

Sundae

Sundae is a traditional sausage made of the lining of pig intestines stuffed with a mixture of bean curd, vegetables and glass noodles. It is usually dipped in seasoned salt and in some regions, it is served with ssamjang, a mixed paste of gochujang and doenjang (fermented soybean paste). Sundae can also be made using squid instead of pig intestines or have glass noodles replaced with glutinous rice.

 

Eomuk

Eomuk’s main ingredient consists of ground fish meat. It is usually skewered and boiled in radish and green onion broth. Eomuk is especially popular as a winter snack.

 

Kkochi

Kkochi refers to cooking skewers of meat. The most common kkochi is dak kkochi, or chicken skewers. Small pieces of chicken and vegetables are skewered, coated in sauce, and then grilled. Sausages, fish cakes and tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties) are also often skewered, adding fun to choosing your own favorite kkochi.

 

Hoppang

Hoppang is one of the most popular warm snacks in winter. It is a pre-cooked ball of rice flour with various fillings, such as red bean paste, vegetables or pizza ingredients. Hoppang is usually steamed to keep it warm and is sold on the streets and at convenient stores.