Recommend a snack that Koreans enjoy eating
Welcome to the happiest place on Earth: the Korean convenience store (Pyeon-ui-jeom / 편의점)! Forget the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower—your mission here is to fill your basket with the glorious, often bizarre, and always delicious world of Korean snacks.
Korean snacks (Ganja) are more than just food; they are a cultural experience. But the aisles are overflowing! As a local who knows every chip and chocolate bar, I’ve compiled the definitive list of must-try Korean snacks that you absolutely need to bring home (or eat immediately on the street!).
1. The Savory Kings: Crispy, Crunchy, and Cheesy
These are the snacks that belong in your K-Drama binge-watching rotation.
Honey Butter Chip (허니버터칩): The legend! This chip caused literal shortages when it first launched. It’s the perfect blend of sweet honey, salty butter, and thinly sliced potato. It sounds weird, but it’s utterly addictive. A non-negotiable buy.
Kkobuk Chip (꼬북칩): Named for its turtle shell shape (Kkobuk means turtle), this chip has four incredibly thin layers, giving it an unparalleled crunch and texture. The most popular flavor? Corn Soup (콘스프)—it tastes exactly like sweet, savory corn soup.
Shrimp Crackers (Saewookkang / 새우깡): Korea’s oldest and most iconic snack. These slightly salty, subtle shrimp-flavored puffs are the ultimate beer snack and are deceptively light. They taste much better than they sound, trust me!
2. The Sweet & Satisfying: Chocolate, Cream, and Rice
If you have a sweet tooth, these are the heavy hitters you need for your afternoon coffee break.
Choco Pie (초코파이): The quintessential Korean comfort food. Two layers of moist cake sandwich a marshmallow filling, all covered in rich chocolate. It’s simple, nostalgic, and often given as a gift. Pro Tip: Microwave it for 10 seconds for a gooey, warm treat!
Orion Custas (오리온 카스타드): A tiny, soft, sponge-like cake filled with sweet custard cream. It’s delicate, moist, and perfect with black coffee or tea. It feels fancier than a regular convenience store snack.
Binch (빈츠): The sophisticated choice. This is a round, slightly savory biscuit topped with a thick, artistic layer of dark chocolate. It’s perfect for dipping into hot milk and makes a great souvenir.
3. The Traditional Twist: Unique Korean Flavors
You won’t find these flavors anywhere else. These are the snacks that truly capture the Korean palate.
Market O Real Brownie (마켓오 리얼 브라우니): While technically a baked good, these individually packaged brownies are a huge hit. They are dense, chewy, and intensely chocolatey—tasting far more expensive than their price tag suggests.
Mugwort Rice Cakes (Yaksik / 약식 or Yugwa / 유과): If you want to dive into traditional flavors, look for rice-based snacks. Yugwa is a puffed rice cookie often covered in honey and sesame seeds, offering a chewy, uniquely Korean sweetness.
Dried Seaweed (Gim / 김): While often served as a side dish, the small, snack-sized packs of lightly seasoned and salted Gim are perfect for traveling. They are impossibly crispy, low in calories, and dangerously easy to eat an entire pack of!
4. The Pyeon-ui-jeom (Convenience Store) Power Move
You can’t talk about Korean snacks without talking about the Pyeon-ui-jeom experience itself.
Hot Bar (Hotba / 핫바): Found next to the hot dogs or in the refrigerated section, this is a stick of processed fish cake (eomuk / 어묵) that you microwave and eat on the spot. It’s a cheap, savory protein boost that defines Korean street eating.
Triangle Kimbap (Samgak Kimbap / 삼각김밥): Not technically a snack, but this triangular rice roll (wrapped in seaweed with fillings like tuna mayo, kimchi, or spicy pork) is the essential late-night or quick-breakfast fuel. Master the wrapper-opening technique!
Get ready to snack your way through Seoul. Grab a basket, let your curiosity be your guide, and prepare for a very happy belly!