Seoul Food Diary
Enjoying some tteokkochi (deep fried spicy rice cakes) and odeng (fish cakes) from 풍년쌀농산 in Bukchon Hanok Village.
TTEOKKOCHI AT 풍년쌀농산
One of my favorite Korean street foods has got to be the tteokkochi, which is a deep fried rice cake slathered in a spicy sweet sauce. One of the best places to eat this is in Bukchon Hanok Village at a place called 풍년쌀농산. They've got the crispy exterior and chewy interior down to perfection, and their spicy sauce is absolutely spot on! You can also order their other amazing dishes, such as the ttukbokki, fish cake on a stick, and really delicious sikhye (sweet rice drink).
Address: 81-1 Hwa-dong Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Price: 1,000 won for 1 tteokkochi, 500 won for 1 fish cake on stick
Info: Here
Smelly shenanigangs inside Ssamziegil! :P
Ddongbbang filled with red bean. Yum! :P Got these inside the courtyard of Ssamziegil in Insadong.
Mini ddongbbang filled with chocolate!
DDONGBBANG (똥빵) FROM SSAMZIEGIL (쌈지길)
One of my favorite street foods is the ddongbbang, or "poop" bread, which literally is in the shape of poop! But no worries, as this delicious treat is actually bread filled with either sweet red bean, chocolate or cream. While you can find these cute little breads all over Seoul, I got mine from the courtyard vendor inside of Ssamziegil in Insadong
Directions: Anguk Station (Line 3 Exit 6), walk towards Jongno Police Station and enter the Insadong street with Crown Bakery & GS25, and walk straight for about 100 meters until you see the entrance of Ssamziegil. The vendor is inside the open courtyard.
Price: 1,000 for 1
Info: Here and Here
What could possibly be better than french fries? The Twister Potato! This deep fried deliciousness can be dipped into your choice of flavor, such as cheddar or garlic. The Twister Potato can be found on the streets throughout Seoul. This one in particular was from Myeongdong.
These are definitely not for the faint of heart! I actually haven't tried them myself, but for all you courageous souls, definitely go for it! The one in the back is bundaegi, or silkworm larvae. In the front are tiny little seashells. You will smell these before you see them, as the funky smell is unmistakable!
Fresh steamed buns filled with meat and vegetables. Just mouth-watering! Got these from a street vendor in Dongdaemun.
Deep fried bread filled with sweet red bean and coated in sugar. I got these from street vendors in Dongdaemun, but they can be found all over Seoul.
KOREAN STREET FOODS
Korea is one of those places where you can't help but try all the delicious street foods that you keep getting too full before it's meal time. My remedy? Plan on eating 5 meals a day when traveling, haha. When it comes to taste, variety, and creativity, Seoul is definitely one of the masters of street foods. Hover over the pictures for more information on each food item!
Row upon row of food vendors and shops selling all sorts of goods, from food, to textiles, to medicine, kitchenware, and so on.
The most popular food at Gwangjang Market is their "jeon," or pancake. It's a dish that was meant to be eaten on rainy days, but is now enjoyed any day of the year. My absolute favorite is the Nokdu Jeon, or mung bean pancakes. It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it the ultimate savory treat! Dip it in the soy sauce and enjoy it with the soy sauce marinated onions. The combo is a match made in heaven! <3
This ajumma is selling soondae, pork trotters, mayak kimbab, ddukbokki, and much more.
Love watching Korean ajummas working their culinary skills. Here she's making an assortment of fried jeon.
Spicy ddukbokki, mayak kimbap, and fish cake soup
GWANGJANG MARKET
Gwangjang Market is one of the oldest traditional food markets in Seoul, and by far my favorite. The market sells all sorts of food, produce, textiles, kitchenware, medicine, souvenirs, and much much more. Every day the market is bustling with activity, and it's a great place to shop and eat delicious street foods. The most popular foods there are the nokdu jeon (mung bean pancakes), and the mayak kimbap (Korean-style sushi rolls).
Directions: Jongno 5-Ga Station (Line 1 Exit 8), or Euljiro 4-Ga Station (Line 2 & 5, Exit 4)
Info: Here
One of my favorite Korean desserts is the pat bing soo, or red bean shaved ice. The toppings can vary from fruit, rice cakes, nutsI got these from the cutest traditional cafe in Insadong.
Salted Caramel soft serve topped with cotton candy from Remicone. These are amazing desserts. I scarfed this up in less than 5 minutes. No shame. ;)
Korean traditional desserts are so pretty and delicate! These Korean rice cakes are absolute works of art! The tea is called sujeonggwa, or cinnamon ginger tea. It's sweet and lightly spiced, making it an awesome complement to the sweet rice cakes.
KOREAN DESSERTS
Whether you're going for modern desserts or traditional, there's something to satisfy your sweet tooth! Hover over the images for more info!
Insa Myeonok (인사면옥) in Insadong
Info: This noodle place is known for its Pyeongyang style (North Korean style) naengmyun. Yum!
Dishes: Yookgyejang (육계장), Bibim Naengmyun (비빔냉면), Naengmyun (물냉면)
Address: 196-8 Gwan Hoon-dong, Insadong, Jongro-Gu, Seoul
인사동 · 서울시 종로구 관훈동 196-8
Website
Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자) in Myeongdong
Info: This location is the original of the Myeongdong Kyoja chain, and has been around for over 40 years. Definitely try the knife-cut noodles and mandoo!
Dishes: Konguksu (콩국수), Bibim Naengmyun (비빔냉면), Kalguksu Knife Cut Noodles (칼국수)
Address: 29, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 중구 명동10길 29 (명동2가)
Website
Nunnamujip (눈나무집)
Info: Nunnamujip, translated as "Snow Tree House," is famous for their kimchi mariguksu noodles and their ddukgalbi with rice cakes. It's been about six years since my last time here, and my belly was glad to be back!
Address: 20-8 Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 삼청로 136-1 (삼청동)
Website
Won Halmuni Bossam - Gungang Ssambap (원할머니 보쌈 건강쌈밥)
Dish: Doenjang jjigae, Bulgogi, Fried mackerel, Vegetable Ssam, Banchan, etc.
Address: 1685 Won Halmuni 3rd Floor, Hwang hak-dong, Joong-gu, Seoul
종구 황학동 1685 번지 원할머니 본가 3층층
Website
Eun Ho Restaurant (은호식당)
Info: This restaurant is a favorite of locals and in the heart of the Namdaemun wholesale shopping district. It's been here for over 80 years! Come here for traditional soups and yummy kimchi!
Dishes: Gukbap, Siraegi Guk, Seollungtang
Address: 50-43 Namchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
남대문시장 · 서울시 중구 남창동 50-43
Website
Red chili peppers laying out to dry in the sun. One of the most important ingredients in Korean cuisine, chili peppers are used in a wide variety of dishes, from kimchi, to soups, banchan, and much more! Koreans love spicy food!
Han Soon Ja Kal Guksu (한순자 칼국수)
Info: The menu is insane here! 4,000 won for three things, including kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), boribab (barley rice), and naengmyun. What a steal!
Address: 48-12 Namchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
남대문시장 · 서울시 중구 남창동 48-12
Website
Chugah Jip (처가집)
Info: Hanjeonsik (한정식) is a traditional Korean meal that displays a large variety of banchan, or side dishes. This hanjeongsik features 19 different banchan along with a grilled fish.
Address: 69-10 Taepyeong Road 2, Jung-gu, Seoul near City Hall Station
시청역 · 서울시 중구 태평로2가 69-10
Website
Sanchon Restaurant (산촌식당) in Chuncheon near Nami Island
Info: Korean food is not complete without Korean bbq! I came here right after visiting Nami Island, as it's one of the restaurants right at the entry port. Chuncheon is known for their spicy chicken galbi. Wish I could have this again, still drooling over it!
Address: 131-1 Daljeon-ri, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
경기도 가평군 달전리 가평읍 131-1
Website
Nari-eh Jip (나리의 집)
Info: Nari-eh Jip is famous for their pork belly bbq, but seriously everything is delicious here! The food here feels like mom's home cooking, in all the best ways!
Address: 245 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울시 용산구 한남동 738-24
Website
TRADITIONAL KOREAN FOOD
Looking back it feels like I ate 5 meals a day because I wanted to try EVERYTHING. Here are some of the many traditional Korean meals I ate! Hover over the photos to get more information for each dish, and links to each location!
CREDITS:
Photography: Annie Cho
SHOOT LOCATION:
Seoul, South Korea