Real Korea Series Top 10 - Ep.1: Top Ten Korean Street Foods You Must Try at Night Markets

Top 10 Korean Street Foods You Must Try at Night Markets — Seasonal Guide for Travelers

Seasonal Guide Included | Where, When, and How to Enjoy Each Dish

🍢 1. Tteokbokki (떡볶이) – Spicy Rice Cakes

• 💰 Price: KRW 3,000–5,000
• 👍 Local Tip: Add cheese or ramen (“rabokki”); dip twigim in the sauce.
• 📍 Where: Gwangjang Market (Seoul), Nampo-dong (Busan), university areas
• 🕒 Season: Year-round; extra cozy in winter

Tteokbokki (떡볶이) – Spicy Rice Cakes

🌭 2. Sundae (순대) – Korean Blood Sausage

• 💰 Price: KRW 3,000–6,000
• 👍 Local Tip: Order “sundae modeum” (mix incl. liver/lung); dip in salt or ssamjang.
• 📍 Where: Mangwon Market (Seoul), Seomun Market (Daegu)
• 🕒 Season: Year-round

Sundae (순대) – Korean Blood Sausage

🥞 3. Hotteok (호떡) – Sweet Korean Pancake

• 💰 Price: KRW 1,500–2,500
• 👍 Local Tip: Use a paper cup; in Busan try “seed hotteok”.
• 📍 Where: Namdaemun Market, BIFF Square
• ❄️ Season: Nov–Mar (rare in summer)

Hotteok (호떡) – Sweet Korean Pancake

🍙 4. Gimbap (김밥) – Korean Rice Roll

• 💰 Price: KRW 2,500–4,000
• 👍 Local Tip: Try “mayak gimbap” with mustard-soy dip.
• 📍 Where: Gwangjang Market, street shops, convenience stores
• 🕒 Season: All seasons

Gimbap (김밥) – Korean Rice Roll

🍗 5. Dakkochi (닭꼬치) – Grilled Chicken Skewers

• 💰 Price: KRW 2,000–4,000
• 👍 Local Tip: Try soy-garlic & spicy; some stalls add cheese.
• 📍 Where: Dongdaemun Night Market, Hongdae Street, Jeonju Hanok Village
• 🕒 Season: Year-round

Dakkochi (닭꼬치) – Grilled Chicken Skewers

🍢 6. Eomuk (어묵) – Fish Cake Skewers

• 💰 Price: KRW 1,000–2,000 (per stick)
• 👍 Local Tip: Sip the hot broth; add chili flakes or mustard.
• 📍 Where: Subway exits, Jagalchi (Busan), Namdaemun alleys
• ❄️ Season: Oct–Mar

Eomuk (어묵) – Fish Cake Skewers

🍌 7. Banana Fritters / Cheese Balls (바나나 튀김/치즈 볼 – Modern Fusion)

• 💰 Price: KRW 2,000–3,000
• 👍 Local Tip: Ask for freshly fried; pair with milk tea or coffee.
• 📍 Where: Bamdokkaebi Night Market (Seoul), Seomun Night Market (Daegu)
• ☀️ Season: Apr–Oct

🥚 8. Gyeran-ppang (계란빵) – Egg Bread

• 💰 Price: KRW 1,500–2,500
• 👍 Local Tip: Try cheese/bacon/ham add-ons.
• 📍 Where: Myeongdong Night Street, Daejeon Sky Road, bus terminals
• ❄️ Season: Oct–Feb

🐟 9. Bungeoppang (붕어빵) – Fish-Shaped Pastry

• 💰 Price: KRW 1,000–2,000 (2–3 pcs)
• 👍 Local Tip: Red bean classic; custard & sweet-potato are trendy.
• 📍 Where: School zones, subway exits, winter carts
• ❄️ Season: Nov–Feb

🥟 10. Twigim (튀김) – Korean Deep-Fried Snacks

• 💰 Price: KRW 500–1,000 (per piece)
• 👍 Local Tip: Pick 3–4 types and dip in tteokbokki sauce.
• 📍 Where: Gwangjang Market, Jongno alleys
• 🕒 Season: Year-round (extra popular in cool weather)

📆 Summary Table – What to Eat, When & Where

Street Food	Price (KRW)	Best Season	Where to Find
Tteokbokki	3,000–5,000	All year	Gwangjang, Nampo-dong, uni areas
Sundae	3,000–6,000	All year	Mangwon, Seomun, school zones
Hotteok	1,500–2,500	Nov–Mar ❄️	Namdaemun, BIFF Square
Gimbap	2,500–4,000	All year	Street, shops, convenience
Dakkochi	2,000–4,000	All year	Dongdaemun, Hongdae, Jeonju
Eomuk	1,000–2,000	Oct–Mar ❄️	Subway exits, Busan, Namdaemun
Banana/Chz Balls	2,000–3,000	Apr–Oct ☀️	Bamdokkaebi, youth alleys
Gyeran-ppang	1,500–2,500	Oct–Feb ❄️	Myeongdong, terminals
Bungeoppang	1,000–2,000	Nov–Feb ❄️	Winter carts, school/subway
Twigim	500–1,000	All year	Gwangjang, Jongno, tteokbokki stalls

🧭 Final Tips for Seasonal Visitors

• ❄️ Winter (Nov–Feb): Hotteok, gyeran-ppang, bungeoppang, eomuk
• ☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug): Cold drinks, gimbap, dakkochi, banana fritters
• 🍁 Spring & Fall: Best variety across all carts and markets

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• 🍶 Makgeolli Brewing Class – Drink Like a Local
• 🧘 Temple Stay Guide – Mindfulness & Cultural Etiquette

⏭️ What’s After Night Markets?

Ep.2 – K-Beauty Tour in Seoul: Safe Facial & Cosmetic Clinics for Visitors
Discover trusted, English-friendly clinics — from hydrating facials to gentle Botox.

Follow the steam, listen for the sizzle, and eat hot — Korea’s night markets shine brightest after dark.

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