Winter is the season of delicious treats and street foods! Bungeoppang, tteokbokki, hotteok, and much more become available on the streets. 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 through your body, soothing you in 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. It’s 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 a 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, teokbokki is a must-try. One bite of these chewy rice cakes soaked in chili sauce has a surprising spicy kick that is sure to have you looking for water. The spicy flavor may leave your tongue numb, but it’ll instantly relief 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. Dakgangjeong is available in many different flavors like soy sauce or cheese. If you want to challenge yourself to a spicy Korean food opt for tteokbokki; if you’re looking for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, opt for dakgangejong.

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 two most commonly found bungeoppang fillings are sweet red bean paste and custard cream. Hotteok is a chewy pancake filled with brown sugar, along with cinnamon and nuts, which dissolves into a syrup once the dough is grilled on a hot pan. It’s best to eat hotteok while it’s warm but be careful not to burn your mouth from the hot sugar filling. 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: Bread, 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. The potato corn dog is also called as “ugly hot dog” or “dokkaebi bangmangi,” which means dokkaebi’s club, for its appearance is similar to the image of a club used by dokkaebie, mythical creatures in Korean folktales. Koreans coat the corn dog with sugar and add condiments like ketchup before taking a bite, combining the best parts of a hot dog and French fries. In contrast, gyeranppang (egg muffin) is topped with a one whole egg. This hefty dessert has the nutrients and the subtle sweetness that makes for an excellent light meal.

Round 5: Convenience-store specials

Hoppang VS. Wangmandu

Hoppang and wangmandu are perfect treats for melting the winter cold away. Hoppang got its name from the onomatopoeia “ho, ho,” a sound people make when they blow air on the hot bun to cool the heat down. Hoppang is characterized by soft and tender steamed bun with fillings like sweet red bean paste or pizza. Sweet red bean paste-filled hoppang and milk is a classic combo, while the pizza-flavored hoppang 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. Another upside to these two delicious snacks is that they act as great hand warmers as you eat them away.

Round 6: Old-fashioned winter treats

Baked Chestnuts VS. Baked Sweet Potato

If you are looking for warm, sweet treats to indulge on, be on the lookout for gunbam (baked chestnuts) and gungoguma (baked sweet potato) stalls. 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

Teok kkochi (rice cake skewer) is a sweet and sour Korean snack prepared by deep-frying rows of rice cakes on a skewer and coating it 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 before coating it with sauce which results in tender, juicy meat. Sometimes, green onions are also added on the skewer to enhance the flavor profile. Common dak kkochi seasonings or sauces consist of salt, soy sauce, and spicy marinade.

Round8: Customize your desserts

Waffle VS. Churros

Crispy waffles and chewy churros may not be authentic Korean desserts, but they have found their way to the hearts of Koreans thanks to their wide range of customizable toppings. Whipped cream, fruits, nuts, chocolate syrup, and ice cream are few of the many options you can choose from to find the combination that will satisfy your palate. Don’t forget to take a photo of the finished masterpiece to post on 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 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 Ice Cream VS. Jjondeugi

The most recently trending snacks up for the battle are grilled ice cream and jjondeugi, which got its name from the Korean word “jjondeuk,” meaning “chewy.” Grilled 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 is a junk food often associated with childhood among Koreans. Lately, jjondeugi has made a comeback with a new look and taste – deep fried and seasoned with flavors like honey butter, injeolmi (bean powder), and cheese. This new jjondeugi has been gaining popularity for its enhanced texture and flavor while preserving the chewiness jjondeugi is known for.

TOP 3 PLACES TO FIND STREET FOODS 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 Lines 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 Lines 1, 9)

USAG Daegu

Fleet Chinhae

Camp Humphreys

Camp Casey

Osan Air Base

USAG Yongsan

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