As you wander through Korean streets in winter, the cold-crisp air fills with the irresistible aroma of warm and delicious street foods that are impossible to ignore. Winter in Korea is truly a season of indulgent treats, each with its own cozy charm. Here we’ve put together Korea’s most favorite winter treats up for comparison. Read on to see if you can choose your favorite!

Round 1: A sip to comfort even your soul, Eomuk vs. Janchi Guksu

A sip of hot eomuk (fishcake) and janchi guksu (banquet noodles) soup immediately brings a warm sensation all over your body, soothing you on a cold day. While eomuk and janchi guksu are both excellent to enjoy in winter, each has its own unique charms. Eomuk is a ground fish fillet that is usually fried or grilled. It’s commonly cooked in a broth to bring out the deeper flavors of eomuk. If you happen to pass by a food stall selling eomuk, stop by to enjoy a bite with an eomuk skewer in one hand and a cup of hot soup in the other. Its opponent, Janchi guksu is a noodle soup served in a bowl. The noodles are cooked in anchovy and sweet kelp stock, topped with sliced eggs and zucchini, and garnished with laver flakes. If a light snack with a cup of hot soup is all you need, opt for an eomuk skewer; if you’re looking for something more, opt for a bowl of janchi guksu.

Round 2: A taste of spicy kick! Tteokbokki vs. Dakgangjeong

If you are a fan of spicy food, tteokbokki is a must-try. Chewy cylindrical rice cakes stir-fried in gochujang (red chili paste), paired with eomuk and boiled eggs, come together to make the perfect bowl of tteokbokki. The spicy flavor may leave your tongue numb, but it’ll instantly relieve you of stress. In contrast, dakgangjeong (deep-fried and braised chicken), starts with sweet and savory flavors, followed by a slow-burn spiciness that will have you craving for more. If you want to challenge yourself to spicy Korean food, opt for tteokbokki; if you’re looking for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, opt for dakgangjeong.

Round 3: Snacks that represent winter in Korea, Bungeoppang vs. Hotteok

It’s not an overstatement to say that some Koreans look forward to winter because of bungeoppang (fish-shaped small bun) and hotteok (syrup-filled pancake). The most commonly found bungeoppang filling is sweet red bean paste, but you can also find other fillings like custard cream, chocolate, and others, adding a twist to the classic flavor. Hotteok is a chewy pancake filled with brown sugar, along with cinnamon and nuts, which dissolve into a syrup once the dough is grilled on a hot pan. If you prefer a soft texture with sweet cream, opt for a bungeoppang; if you like chewy texture and mouthwatering sweetness, opt for a hotteok.

Round 4: Breads, but better! Potato Corn Dog vs. Gyeranppang

Hot dogs and corn dogs are a favorite treat worldwide, but the potato corn dog, often called the “Korean-style potato hot dog,” is an original characterized by crispy potato bits in the bun that enhance the taste and texture to a whole new level. Koreans coat the corn dog with sugar and add condiments like ketchup, creating a combination of salty and sweet flavors, a favorite among Koreans. In contrast, gyeranppang (egg muffin), which earned a spot on CNN’s list of “Top 50 Breads in the World,” is topped with a one whole egg. This hefty dessert has the nutrients and the subtle sweetness that make for an excellent light meal.

Round 5: Soft steamed dishes, Jjinppang vs. Wangmandu

When the winter cold has your hands freezing, jjinppang and wangmandu, straight from the hot steamer, are perfect treats to wrap you in warmth. Jjinppang is characterized by soft and tender steamed bun that melts your cold away. Sweet red bean paste-filled jjinppang and milk is a classic combo, while the pizza-flavored jjinppang goes well with a soft drink. While similar in shape, wangmandu, which can be translated to “king dumpling,” is characterized by chewy skin with savory and scrumptious fillings like meat or kimchi. The best way to enjoy wangmandu is to eat it with a hot soup on a cold day. You can find them easily in convenience stores during winter, so pop in for a warm treat on a cold day.

Round 6: Old-fashioned winter treats, Baked Chestnuts vs. Baked Sweet Potato

The delicious aroma wafting through the streets in winter comes from none other than gunbam (baked chestnuts) and gungoguma (baked sweet potatoes). Although delicious on their own, they are roasted with their skin on a brazier, infusing them with a tasty smoky flavor. They both have in common the crusty outer layer, but while the chestnuts are a convenient bite-sized delish, the sweet potatoes bring a tender and heavenly sweetness to your palate. Baked sweet potatoes go surprisingly well with kimchi, a combination that is worth a try if you get the chance. These baked goods were once often found on the streets, but now you can find them at convenience stores or inside subway stations.

Round 7: How many skewers can you eat? Tteok kkochi vs. Dak kkochi

Tteok kkochi (rice cake skewer) is a sweet and sour Korean snack prepared by deep-frying rows of rice cakes on a skewer and coating them with sweet and spicy sauce. The result is a rice cake that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, complemented by a delicious sauce. On the other hand, Korean-style dak kkochi (chicken skewer) is grilled over charcoal before coating it with sauce, which results in tender, juicy meat. Sometimes, green onions are also added to the skewer to enhance the flavor profile. Common dak kkochi seasonings or sauces consist of salt, soy sauce, and spicy marinade.

Round 8: Desserts reimagined the Korean way, Waffle vs. Churros

Crispy waffles and chewy churros may not be authentic Korean desserts, but they have found their way into the hearts of locals with a unique Korean twist. Baked crispy and filled with toppings like whipped cream, apple jam, and many other variations, waffles have become another beloved winter treat. Churros, on the other hand, are fried dough coated in sugar and cinnamon, often served in bite-sized pieces and paired with ice cream. Grab these crunchy, sweet desserts with irresistible visualsㅡperfect for snapping that drool-worthy food shot for your social media.

Round 9: A convenient and light meal, Street Toast vs. Cup Bap

A Korean-style “street toast” is not a typical toasted bread slice, but it’s closer to a grilled sandwich. The most common form of Korean-style street toast includes thinly sliced cabbage strips and omelet-style egg as the main filling ingredients, with sugar, ketchup, and mayonnaise as the sauce. Cup bap, on the other hand, is a quick, one-dish meal where toppings are added over rice in a cup. Common cup bap toppings include fried eggs, bulgogi, tuna and mayonnaise, and laver flakes, which you can add or subtract according to your preference. Both dishes are cheap and convenient, making them a go-to option for students and busy workers who are looking for a quick meal.

Round 10: The classics with a twist, Grilled Marshmallow Ice Cream vs. Jjondeugi

The most recently trending snacks among Gen Z and Millennials are grilled marshmallow ice cream and jjondeugi, which got its name from the Korean word “jjondeuk,” meaning “chewy.” Grilled marshmallow ice cream, an ice cream dessert covered in a layer of toasted marshmallow, is like a bite of fluffy and sweet piece of heaven. Jjondeugi, made with flour, cornstarch, and sugar, is a snack often associated with childhood among Koreans. When grilled or fried, the chewy texture is enhanced, and lately, you can find them seasoned with various flavors like honey butter, injeolmi (bean powder), and cheese.

Tip! Top places to find street food in Seoul

[Myeong-dong Station Food Street]

A gourmet street where you can find delicious foods of Korea and from all over the world

Location: Turn left and walk straight from Exit 6 of Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4)

[Hongdae Pedestrian-friendly Street]

The place where you can find all the trending snacks like grilled ice cream, seasoned jjondeugi, and more

Location: Turn left and walk for 145 meters from Exit 9 of Hongdae Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, Airport Railroad, Gyeongui Jungang Line)

[Noryangjin Cup Bap Street]

Budget-friendly meal retreat hangout popular among the Gen Z

Location: Walk straight for 314 meters from Exit 3 of Noryangjin Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 9)

* 1330 Korea Travel Helpline: +82-2-1330

* 1330 Text Chat: https://m.site.naver.com/1rEid (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian)

* This column was last updated in November 2025, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.

USAG Yongsan

Camp Casey

Korean

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