The busy streets of Myeong-dong and Insa-dong are known for some of the best street foods in Asia, and I totally agree! Here is a list (with pictures) of some of my favorites that I sampled while in Seoul.
1. Giant Ice-cream cones
Standing at a massive 36 cm high, these monster ice-creams are the most popular street food in Myeong-dong. Most vendors only serve chocolate and vanilla, but there are a few stands that sell more exotic flavors such as mint, berry, and even flavor mixes. Its amazing to witness the height of the ice-cream cone, and its super impressive how the vendor can get it so tall without the whole cone collapsing. These are great for a hot day, and a specialty of Myeong-dong that everyone will enjoy.
Photo courtesy of https://transienttomorrow.wordpress.com/tag/myeongdong/
2. Korean tube ice-cream
The unique shape, the sweet and crunchy shell, everything about Korean tube ice-cream is perfection. While in Myeong-dong, I was too full from my giant ice-cream cone to try a tube ice-cream, but I changed my mind while in Insa-dong. The candy-cane shaped shell, a shocking yellow color, tastes a lot like kellog's corn flakes. The inside is filled typical vanilla soft-serve, however the bizarre shape makes this ice-cream experience one I will never forget!
3. Chalba
Chalbas are soft, gooey, and bursting with flavor. The best way to describe them is that they are like hot-pockets or super oily Garlic bread. Not exactly the world's most healthy food, but it's not everyday I get to snack in Korea! This fried dough deliciousness can be stuffed with pretty much any filling. The one I tried was pizza flavored, but there were others such as potato, regular cheese, bulgogi, and curry chicken.
4. Ddong pancakes (poop cake)
Poop bread, a disgustingly adorable treat, is becoming popular as street food in Korea. Made out of a waffle-like bread and filled with red bean paste or chocolate, this cheap snack (about $1.00 US) is a must try when visiting Insa-dong. I've never seen this anywhere else! Since it's such a popular item, the line was really long, but a taste of poop bread is well worth the wait.
5. Red Bean fish cake
Despite the fish shape, these little cakes are not made out of seafood! Instead, they are thin sweet fried dough stuffed with sugary red bean paste. They are amazing, and you can get a whole bag for less than $2.00 US.
6. Beondegi
For some westerners, the idea of bugs as a snack food is taboo. However in Korea, silk worm pupas are boiled, seasoned, and then eaten. Beondegi are extremely popular, and you can even buy them in cans at Korean grocery stores. Personally, I thought they were average. Maybe it was the particular stall I was at, but they didn't taste like much to me. That being said, it was really fun trying something that most of my friends at home would consider grotesque.
7. Tornado Potato
Tornado potatoes are what they sound like - giant fried potatoes cut in a tornado shaped spiral and covered in spices. These are available in potato carts are all over Myeong-dong, and are often surrounded by people since they are so popular. Grab one and give it a try! You won't be disappointed by this heavenly snack.
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/superlocal/1417683035/
8. Gimibap
Filled with egg, kimchi, various meats, vegetables, rice, sesame, and wrapped in a tangy seaweed covering, gimibap is one of the most popular - and delicious- street foods in Korea. Similar to sushi, these rolls are eaten easily on the go and make a great street snack.
9. Gyeran Ppang Egg Bread
These smell so good, and taste even better! Egg bread is a runny egg surrounded by a super-sweet vanilla cake. Even though these are probably considered more of a dessert than a meal, I found myself eating them for breakfast almost every morning. These are really popular in Korea, as almost every street food cart in Myeong-dong sells them.
10. Waffles
I fell in love with Korean street waffles after a single bite - and you will too! They are much lighter and crunchier than regular waffles and often filled with syrup and a light cream. I got a regular one, and one filled with Oreos for a dollar each. These are pure happiness in a dessert.
Photo courtesy of http://supremesouffle.blogspot.com/2012/07/miura-waffle-milk-bar.html
Happy travels!
❤ Gwyn
1. Giant Ice-cream conesStanding at a massive 36 cm high, these monster ice-creams are the most popular street food in Myeong-dong. Most vendors only serve chocolate and vanilla, but there are a few stands that sell more exotic flavors such as mint, berry, and even flavor mixes. Its amazing to witness the height of the ice-cream cone, and its super impressive how the vendor can get it so tall without the whole cone collapsing. These are great for a hot day, and a specialty of Myeong-dong that everyone will enjoy.
Photo courtesy of https://transienttomorrow.wordpress.com/tag/myeongdong/
2. Korean tube ice-cream
The unique shape, the sweet and crunchy shell, everything about Korean tube ice-cream is perfection. While in Myeong-dong, I was too full from my giant ice-cream cone to try a tube ice-cream, but I changed my mind while in Insa-dong. The candy-cane shaped shell, a shocking yellow color, tastes a lot like kellog's corn flakes. The inside is filled typical vanilla soft-serve, however the bizarre shape makes this ice-cream experience one I will never forget!
3. Chalba
4. Ddong pancakes (poop cake)
5. Red Bean fish cake
Despite the fish shape, these little cakes are not made out of seafood! Instead, they are thin sweet fried dough stuffed with sugary red bean paste. They are amazing, and you can get a whole bag for less than $2.00 US.6. Beondegi
For some westerners, the idea of bugs as a snack food is taboo. However in Korea, silk worm pupas are boiled, seasoned, and then eaten. Beondegi are extremely popular, and you can even buy them in cans at Korean grocery stores. Personally, I thought they were average. Maybe it was the particular stall I was at, but they didn't taste like much to me. That being said, it was really fun trying something that most of my friends at home would consider grotesque. 7. Tornado Potato
Tornado potatoes are what they sound like - giant fried potatoes cut in a tornado shaped spiral and covered in spices. These are available in potato carts are all over Myeong-dong, and are often surrounded by people since they are so popular. Grab one and give it a try! You won't be disappointed by this heavenly snack.
8. Gimibap
Filled with egg, kimchi, various meats, vegetables, rice, sesame, and wrapped in a tangy seaweed covering, gimibap is one of the most popular - and delicious- street foods in Korea. Similar to sushi, these rolls are eaten easily on the go and make a great street snack. 9. Gyeran Ppang Egg Bread
These smell so good, and taste even better! Egg bread is a runny egg surrounded by a super-sweet vanilla cake. Even though these are probably considered more of a dessert than a meal, I found myself eating them for breakfast almost every morning. These are really popular in Korea, as almost every street food cart in Myeong-dong sells them.Photo courtesy of http://www.pangcouver.com/2014/05/14/dining-in-korea-food-for-the-seoul/
10. Waffles
I fell in love with Korean street waffles after a single bite - and you will too! They are much lighter and crunchier than regular waffles and often filled with syrup and a light cream. I got a regular one, and one filled with Oreos for a dollar each. These are pure happiness in a dessert.
Happy travels!
❤ Gwyn
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