Cheapest But Tastiest Foods in Korea

This past Summer, I visited South Korea for the first time. This was such an enlightening experience and not a day goes by without missing the people, the culture, and the cuisine. The cuisine was definitely something to admire especially because of its cheap prices. In this article, I will be sharing some popular street foods that I’ve been so grateful to enjoy throughout my trip to the motherland.

십원빵 – 10 Won Bread

This delectable bread deserves its spot as number one on this list for its price and quality. The 10 won bread is sold for just 10 won as its name suggests, making it such an affordable treat for all. Out of all of the street foods I’ve consumed on my trip, these were the most memorable. The bread is made of a slightly sweet dough, almost resembling the flavor and texture of a pancake. It is then filled with a variety of fillings including red bean paste, mozzarella cheese, cream, or even savory fillings as well. I would personally recommend the mozzarella cheese filling. 

회오리감자 – Tornado Potato

Everybody loves potatoes and this treat is not only delicious, but also so versatile as it can be enjoyed either sweet or savory. The potato is cut and stretched onto a stick in a tornado-shape and then fried. You can then coat the potato tornado in various toppings to your liking. For a sweet version, people like to sprinkle sugar all over the potato. For those craving a savory treat, you can sprinkle seasonings or different sauces ranging from spicy mayo to even teriyaki. My family and I personally enjoyed it with some cheese powder dusted on top!

호떡 – Hotteok

For those with more of a sweet tooth, hotteok is perfect for you. Think of a typical cinnamon roll, but in a fried and filled pancake form, similar to the 10 won bread. This sweet pancake is filled with a brown sugar and cinnamon filling with nuts and fried to order. Be careful, however, as these are always served piping hot and the filling can seriously burn you (speaking from experience).

떡꼬치 – Ddeokkochi

One of the first things people say when I say that I am Korean is something along the lines of “You’re Korean? I love Tteokbokki!” There’s no doubt that tteokbokki is a beloved Korean dish, enjoyed by many. However, not everyone is familiar with its close relative, ddeokkochi. Ddeokkochi is a skewer finger food containing fried or grilled rice cakes and mini sausages then coated with a sweet gochujang sauce. In my opinion, tteokbokki is overrated and ddeokkochi is a much more tasty option. 

All of these foods can be purchased for cheap and found on any busy street or even at rest stops on highways. Now that you know about some of the best and most affordable treats in Korea, be sure to try them on your next visit!