5 Korean Snacks That You Need To Try

Korean Snacks are just as good as Korean Food

It’s not a secret that Korean dishes are incredibly delicious. But Korea has not only amazing dishes but also some really yummy snacks. I spent two months living in Seoul and tried my way through various Korean snacks. Here are some of my favourite snacks you definitely need to try when travelling to South Korea!

1. Strawberry Milk (ttalgi uyu 딸기 우유)

One of the first things I tried once I arrived in Seoul was Strawberry Milk. If you watch K dramas I’m sure you have seen at least one character drink from those adorable pink bottles.

I always wondered what it was until I found out it’s strawberry milk! I’m usually not a big fan of flavoured milk but the small strawberry (or banana) milk drinks that are available in almost every convenience store, make a great addition to a meal or are a yummy snack. (And honestly, they just look so cute). So if I were you I would put 우유 (uyu) on my Korean snacks list.

Little fun fact: During my time in Seoul I consumed a lot more cow milk than I usually do. When I lived abroad in the past my skin used to react really badly to cow milk so I usually try to avoid cow milk as much as I can. (I think it has something to do with the hormones they put into the milk, but don’t quote me on that). Anyway, I probably never drank as much cow milk as I did in Seoul, but my skin was great.

2. Pickled Radish (chikin-mu 치킨무)

Pickled radish is a side dish that is commonly served with Korean fried chicken or other heavy dishes (I know the title said SNACKS but if I could I would eat this as a snack, also on my blog, I do what I want :D). It is definitely something you need to try!

The radish is served as very thin slices or small little cubes that look like little sugar cubes (aren’t they the perfect snack size??) And they are incredibly delicious! Because they are pickled it’s the perfect mix of sweet and sour. The radish itself also makes it taste super fresh – a Korean snack you should try.

3. Honey Cookies (Yakgwa 약과)

The Yakgwa are small cookies that are fried and dipped in honey syrup (And doesn’t that already sound super delicious??). The honey syrup makes them sweet and moist. In my opinion this is one of the best snacks from Korea.

You can find them in almost every convenience store like 7-Eleven, CU or Mini Stop. They are either packed in single packages (unfortunately with tons of plastic, so make sure to recycle it) or you can buy them in a serving of about 6-8 pieces (there’s less plastic but the chances of not eating them all at once are slim, very slim). They are incredibly addictive and definitely a must-try when visiting South Korea.

4. Shaved Ice (Bingsu 빙수)

This was probably one of the desserts/snacks that was recommended to me the most. Bingsu is shaved ice that is topped with fruit, chocolate, condensed milk or other yummy things. Usually, it’s quite a big portion so make sure to bring a friend or two.

My friends and I went to Sulbing Café to try Bingsu. Sulbing is a café chain that you can find everywhere in Seoul (and even in Melbourne! Imagine my surprise and excitement :D).

When we ordered our Bingsu (on a machine, which is common in Seoul) my friends and I did not realize we ordered an extra Tiramisu (there’s definitely worse than having some extra dessert). After we ate half of our Bingsu we realized that they gave us coffee for the Tiramisu-Bingsu – it definitely made the Bingsu even better. If you want you can also order condensed milk. I personally think some sauce makes the shaved ice more tasteful and better.

Overall this is definitely a dessert/snack you need to have tried when you visit South Korea. I heard some people even like to eat it in Winter.

5. Walnut Cake (Hodu-gwaja 호두과자)

Last but not least, let’s talk about Hodu-gwaja (or Walnut Cakes). They are small pastries that not only look like a Walnut but are also filled with Walnuts. Usually, they also have some type of cream filling.

The ones I tried were either filled with custard, cream cheese or sweetened red bean paste. I wasn’t that crazy about the bean paste when we ordered, but my friend convinced me to try it and I’m so glad I did. Holy Moly – that bean past is awesome (out of the three fillings it was my absolute favourite).

I would definitely recommend trying them when they are freshly made. We got our first ones at the Gwangjang Market Food Alley. A week later we were still thinking about them (because they are so gooood) and decided to grab some at the Coex Mall in Seoul. They were still really good but not as delicious as the warm fresh Walnut Cakes we got at the market.

Have you tried any other Korean Snacks? What are your favourite snacks? Share it in the comments!

Angela

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Angela, the mastermind behind theslowtravelista, is a passionate traveler who embraces slow travel's essence. With a knack for immersing herself in diverse cultures, she treasures connections formed across the globe. Beyond her adventures, Angela's vibrant personality shines through her love for spontaneous hair changes, hitchhiking escapades, and culinary delights. Join her for travel insights, laughter, and unforgettable adventures.