Popular Snacks

Any time you pass by shopping districts, traditional markets, back streets of areas bustling with crowds, tourist spots or college towns, you will come across street vendors, canopy wagons or flour food eateries offering snacks popular among a wide range of age groups. They often serve as an inexpensive meal for Koreans in a hurry or for tourists who want to partake of the local culture.

Ramyeon
Korean-style ramen noodles. Besides classic ramyeon, there are a variety of others such as seafood-added (haemul ramyeon), kimchi-added, etc. Instant varieties in a Styrofoam bowl can be found at supermarkets or convenience stores; just add boiling water and it's ready in a few minutes.

Eomuk
Skewered fish sausage.

Sundae
Traditional sausage made of pig intestine stuffed with a mixture of bean curd, vegetables, potato noodles, etc. Sundae is pronounced "soon-dae."

Gimbap
Boiled rice is seasoned with sesame oil and salt, and rolled up in a sheet of laver along with strips of carrot, cucumber, spinach, egg sheet, pickled radish, bulgogi, cheese or ham. Sliced, it becomes one of the favorite Korean fast foods.

Twigim
Tempura sweet potatoes, sesame leaf, mixed vegetables, cuttlefish, shrimp, etc. Deep-fried food popular in Korea.

Tteokbokgi
Rice powder is steamed and made into a long cylinder called garaetteok. It is cut finger-length and cooked in a spicy, sweet sauce. Vegetables, or ramyeon can be added depending on one's taste.