Learn about street food that even locals in Korea love!
Introduction to the World of Tteokbokki, Sundae, and Korean Street Food
Hello there! 😄 When you think of Korea, what food comes to mind?
For many, it’s undoubtedly Tteokbokki, Sundae, and Korean street food. 🌈
These street foods are beloved by everyone, serving as both snacks and satisfying meals. Korean street food is a delightful blend of tradition and modern culture. 🛣
The spicy kick of tteokbokki, the savory flavor of sundae, crispy fried foods, and a warm sip of fish cake broth! 🤤 Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
In this article, we’ll explore the world of Korean street foods like tteokbokki, sundae, fried snacks, and fish cakes. I’ll also recommend top places to visit, suggest where to place images, and share helpful links. Stay with me until the end!
Table of Contents
- 🥘 Introduction to the World of Tteokbokki, Sundae, and Korean Street Food
- 🌶 The Charm and Variety of Tteokbokki
- 🍢 History and Various Recipes of Sundae
- 🥟 The Perfect Combination of Fried Food and Fish Cake
- 🍜 The Indispensable Street Food: Ramen
- 🍗 Popularity of Dakgangjeong and Chicken Snacks
- 🍠 The Best Winter Treats: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Hotteok
- 🍧 Summer Delights: Bingsu and Street Drinks
- 🗺 Recommended Food Spots in Seoul
- 🗺 Recommended Food Spots in Busan
- 🖼 Suggested Image Placement
- 🌐 Recommended External Links
- ✅ Tips for Enjoying Street Food
- 💡 Healthy Ways to Enjoy Street Food
- ❓ Q&A
- 🔗 Internal Links and Conclusion
🌶 The Charm and Variety of Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki is not just food — it’s a soul-soothing comfort dish. 😋
👉 Types of Tteokbokki:
- Traditional Gochujang Tteokbokki – known for its sweet and spicy sauce
- Royal (Gungjung) Tteokbokki – soy sauce-based with a savory, upscale taste
- Cream Tteokbokki – creamy and mild, popular with kids
- Cheese Tteokbokki – topped with melty cheese for an indulgent experience
- Rosé Tteokbokki – a trending mix of cream and tomato sauce
Tteokbokki is great alone but even better shared with friends. 🍽
Try adding different toppings to create your own custom dish! 🌟
Reference Link: Tteokbokki Recipe Collection
🍢 History and Various Recipes of Sundae
Sundae is a traditional Korean sausage made by stuffing pig intestines with noodles, vegetables, and blood. It’s a cherished comfort food. 🤗
👉 Popular Sundae Variations:
- Sundae Gukbap – warm soup with sundae, a hearty meal
- Spicy Stir-fried Sundae – stir-fried with spicy sauce
- Vegetable Sundae – filled with healthy vegetables
- Sundae Skewers – an easy-to-eat street snack
Sundae goes perfectly with tteokbokki; dipping sundae in spicy sauce is pure bliss. 😍
Reference: How to Make Sundae
🥟 The Perfect Combination of Fried Food and Fish Cake
Tteokbokki and sundae are satisfying, but add crispy fried snacks and warm fish cake broth, and it’s heaven! ✨
👉 Popular Fried Snacks:
- Fried seaweed rolls
- Sweet potato fries
- Fried squid
- Fried dumplings
Dip them in tteokbokki sauce for a flavor explosion. 🎉
And on cold days, nothing beats a sip of hot fish cake broth.
Fish Cake Info: Samjin Fish Cake Official Site
🍜 The Indispensable Street Food: Ramen
Ramen is another must-have street food. 🍜
Especially ramen cooked in tteokbokki broth is a flavor bomb.
👉 Street Ramen Characteristics:
- Often cooked in tteokbokki sauce
- Egg added for creaminess
- Seaweed flakes and green onions to boost flavor
- Add cheese for extra indulgence
Quick, affordable, and delicious — ramen has it all! 🤩
🍗 Popularity of Dakgangjeong and Chicken Snacks
Another street food superstar is Dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken). 🍗
The sticky, spicy-sweet sauce over crispy chicken makes it irresistible.
👉 Dakgangjeong Highlights:
- Addictive spicy-sweet flavor
- Crispy outside, juicy inside
- Portable and easy to eat
- Comes with various toppings and seasonings
It’s a favorite among couples on street food dates, especially in places like Myeongdong or Busan International Market.
🍠 The Best Winter Treats: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Hotteok
In winter, the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes fills the streets. 🍠
These fluffy, sweet, and healthy treats are a winter staple.
And don’t forget Hotteok, filled with sweet syrup and nuts! 🌰
Biting into hotteok is pure joy — warm, sticky sweetness in every bite.
👉 Must-Try Winter Street Foods:
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Seed-stuffed hotteok (a Busan specialty)
- Egg bread
- Fish-shaped pastry (Bungeoppang)
Busan International Market is famous for its seed hotteok, a must-try delicacy!
Reference Link: Find Seed Hotteok in Busan
🍧 Summer Delights: Bingsu and Street Drinks
Hot summers call for icy Bingsu (shaved ice dessert) and cool drinks. 🥤
Simple yet refreshing bingsu is a must-have treat.
👉 Popular Summer Street Foods:
- Red bean bingsu
- Mango bingsu
- Lemonade
- Iced coffee
- Fresh fruit juice
Visit traditional markets like Namdaemun or Gwangjang Market for budget-friendly and delicious bingsu!
External Link: Gwangjang Market Food Guide
🗺 Recommended Food Spots in Seoul
| Restaurant | Food Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong Tteokbokki | Tteokbokki, Fried Snacks, Sundae | 4, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul |
| Namdaemun Market Dakgangjeong | Sweet Crispy Chicken | Namdaemun Market 4, Jung-gu, Seoul |
| Gwangjang Market Sundae Town | Sundae and Sundae Soup | 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul |
| Tongin Market Oil Tteokbokki | Fried Tteokbokki | Tongin Market, 18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Seoul |
View map: Seoul Street Food Map
🗺 Recommended Food Spots in Busan
| Restaurant | Food Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Gukje Market Seed Hotteok | Seed-Stuffed Hotteok | 34, 4th zone, Gukje Market, Jung-gu, Busan |
| Nampo-dong Fish Cake Alley | Fish Cake, Fried Snacks | Gwangbok-ro, Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan |
| Haeundae Dalmaji Tteokbokki | Tteokbokki, Sundae, Fried Snacks | 104 Dalmaji-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan |
View map: Busan Street Food Map
🌐 Recommended External Links
Here are some external links for more information on Korean street foods! 🌎
- Seoul Tourism Official Website
Seoul Street Food Guide - Busan Tourism Organization
Busan Street Food Guide - Korean Recipe Database
10,000 Recipes - Traditional Market Finder
Korea Traditional Market Portal
✅ Tips for Enjoying Street Food
Street food is affordable and delicious, but hygiene and health are also important. 😊
👉 Tips to Enjoy Street Food Safely:
- Choose spots with long lines (fresh ingredients are key!).
- Opt for places where food is cooked on the spot.
- Eat it fresh on-site rather than taking it home.
- If you’re eating spicy food, have milk or yogurt ready to ease the heat.
- And of course, snap a pretty photo before eating and share it on social media! 😉
💡 Healthy Ways to Enjoy Street Food
Street food doesn’t have to be unhealthy! You can make smart choices.
Tip 1: Limit fried food intake to once a day.
Tip 2: Choose less spicy tteokbokki or soy sauce-based versions.
Tip 3: Go for vegetable-filled sundae or steamed sundae for a healthier option.
Tip 4: Be cautious with fish cake broth — enjoy in moderation.
Tip 5: After eating street food, drink plenty of water and take a light walk to aid digestion! 🌿
❓ Q&A
Q1. Can I make tteokbokki sauce easily at home?
Yes! All you need is gochujang, red pepper flakes, sugar, soy sauce, water, and minced garlic. A ratio of 2:1:2:1:5 works well.
Q2. Can sundae be reheated in the microwave?
Yes, but it’s even better if you steam it lightly for a soft and moist texture.
Q3. How do I keep fried snacks crispy after buying them?
Wrap them in paper to absorb moisture, and reheat them in an oven or air fryer for extra crispiness.
Q4. What’s the best time to visit street food markets?
Lunchtime and early evening (between 5 PM and 8 PM) are peak times for the freshest food.
Q5. Are there vegan options for street food?
Yes! More places are offering vegan-friendly tteokbokki, fish cake alternatives, and plant-based snacks.
🔗 Internal Links and Conclusion
If you’re curious about more Korean food stories, check out this article too!
👉 Complete Guide to Traditional Korean Foods
Street food in Korea is not just food — it’s part of the culture and full of nostalgic memories.
Next time you’re walking down a busy Korean street, don’t forget to grab a plate of warm tteokbokki and crispy fried snacks! 😋
