One of the most popular Korean snacks is hotteok, a stuffed pancake that can be sweet or savory. It is commonly served to students taking university entrance exams for luck.
Dalgona Candy, or pop, is made of sugar and baking soda. It gained worldwide popularity after it appeared in the popular K-drama Squid Game.
Choco Heim
If you’re looking for something sweet but not too filling, try Choco Heim. These small, chewy, chocolate-dipped biscuits are a popular snack among Koreans. You can get them at convenience stores or bakeries.
If chocolate isn’t your thing, try azuki bean rice ball snacks. These are a more crunchy alternative to Cheetos puffs and come in different flavors. The best part is that they aren’t salty or cheesy, so you can enjoy them without worrying about your diet.
Another popular snack from Korea is pressed dried squid. They’re similar to jerky but are made with squid instead of beef. They’re usually seasoned with salt, sugar, and various spices. It’s a popular snack while watching a movie or chilling with friends.
Another great snack to bring home is the Osulloc Green Tea spread. It is a unique Korean snack that isn’t available anywhere else. You can use it to spread on bread or make a delicious cookie. It’s also a great gift for friends and family who love green tea.
Lotte’s Green Grape Candy
If you think all Korean snacks are sweet and chocolatey, you’re in for a big surprise with Lotte’s green grape candy. It’s a mouth-watering, hard-boiled, sweet shape and sized like a green grape! Its flavor is sweet and fruity, with a refreshing taste that’s not too overpowering.
A popular street food, tteokbokki has made its way into episodes of several popular K-dramas. This is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a munchy snack while watching your favorite K-dramas.
While kiai is perhaps the most iconic Korean snack, pressed dried squid may be a close second. This unique salty snack is packed with protein, fatty acids, and amino acids, making it a healthy alternative to chips and other processed foods. It’s also quite filling and a crowd-pleaser. You can also use it as a snack to accompany a steaming cup of coffee or tea!
Yakgwa
Yakgwa is a traditional Korean snack that’s popular with the younger generation. It’s often eaten with coffee or tea and is especially popular during the colder months. It is also usually served at ceremonies and special occasions, such as weddings or 60th birthdays.
These little individually packaged snacks can be found in Korean markets, tea shops, and online. They are a bit salty, crunchy, and taste like beef jerky but with a more delicate texture. These are great on-the-go snacks or treats for kids’ lunchboxes. They are also a good accompaniment to some omija (red berries) tea or chrysanthemum flower tea.
These are a must-try for anyone visiting Korea! Orion’s Turtle Corn Chips look almost too cute and delicious to eat. They have a crunch similar to regular potato chips, but they’re much more flavorful and come in some unique flavors, including sweet injeolmi, Himalayan salt, and chocolate churros. Try them with some omija tea or a glass of dalgona coffee for a full Hallyu experience.
My Gummy Jelly
If you are looking for something light to munch on while watching a K-drama, this unique Korean snack is perfect. It combines four puffy corn chips stacked on top of one another and coated with specks of roasted seaweed. This snack is delicious and packed with nutrients and can help you stay on track with your diet.
If there is one local favorite snack, it is Pepero. Like Pocky, Pepero is a thin biscuit stick half-dipped in sweet compound chocolate. It has many flavors, including peanut, almond, chocolate, crushed cookie, and orange. Pepero is so popular that it even has a holiday called Pepero Day.
This snack is not for the faint of heart, but it can be found easily in department stores. It is made of dried sweet potatoes, but unlike regular potato chips, it adds no salt. It has a very distinct and unique taste and texture that is sure to please your palate.
Orion’s Turtle Corn Chips
If you are a fan of unique Korean snacks, you must try this! It is a sweet and delicious treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth. It is also a popular snack for students about to take their university entrance exams. This is because it is believed to give them the courage and energy they need for their test.
If your taste buds are adventurous, try these turtle corn chips! They are slightly different from your typical Fritos because they have a more subtle flavor. The flavor is a mix of salty and sweet, reminding you of the buttery texture of freshly steamed or boiled corn.
These unique Korean snacks are a must-try for anyone who loves the crunchy texture of chips. The four layers of airy puffed corn action create the perfect crunch. It’s the sort of chip you can munch on without feeling guilty. You can even add it to sandwiches! You can get a box of these at your local Korean store.
Saewookkang
If you’re a chocolate and sunflower seeds fan, this unique Korean snack is perfect for you. Unlike the salted ones that are popular in other countries, these are coated with rich chocolates and are easy to chew on. You can also enjoy them with rice or as a substitute for chips.
Another one of the most unique Korean snacks is saewookkang, a pressed dried squid snack. It’s a healthy alternative to salty chips because it contains high amounts of protein, fatty acids, and amino acids.
These snacks are also great for vegetarians or pescatarians who can’t eat fish. You can find them in many of the country’s street stalls or convenience stores like 7-11. This snack is so popular that its maker, Nongshim, even collaborated with singer-actor Rain to make a commercial. The ad featured Rain holding a snack bag, chewing it, and even using it to scratch his head! This is a great snack if you want something quick and filling.
Chilsung Cider
This unique Korean snack is a great option for kids or anyone who loves a crunchy treat. These corn chips are made to look like bacon strips and have a savory barbecue flavor. They are also chewy and delicious, so be prepared to gnaw through a bag. They’re popular amongst people who use them in ASMR videos and can be found at convenience stores for W1,300 a bag.
You can find this sweet and salty snack in most Korean restaurants and grocery stores, but they’re best enjoyed with a cup of hot tea or coffee. It’s a perfect pick-me-up when you’re feeling tired and a good choice for those with a gluten sensitivity.
This crunchy snack is inspired by tako yaki, a Japanese street food consisting of octopus-filled dumplings. It’s a healthier alternative to regular crackers and comes in various interesting flavors, including lotus root and cheese. The taste is mild, so it’s an ideal snack for kids or anyone who doesn’t enjoy a strong crunch.
Nongshim Shrimp Crackers
If you are looking for a snack that is both crunchy and sweet, then Nongshim shrimp crackers are the perfect choice. These paper-thin chips are shaped like french fries with narrow ripples and bold in flavor with a good crunch. They are also non-fried and gluten-free, making them a healthy alternative to regular chips.
The name of this Korean snack may sound strange, but it is a popular treat that has been around for more than 60 years. It is a wheat cracker with a timeless sweet taste and is decorated with sesame seeds. You can enjoy it on its own or with a dip.
Misugaru is another popular Korean snack that has recently gained popularity due to its nutritional value and ease of preparation. Many K-pop celebrities incorporate it into their daily diet as a meal replacement drink.