Korean Street Food Guide: 5 Must-Eats at Seoul’s Markets

If you really want to feel Korea, go to a market hungry.

Seoul’s markets – like Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun Market, Myeongdong Street Food Alley and small neighbourhood stalls – are full of sizzling pans, bright red sauces and trays of freshly fried snacks.

In this Korean street food guide, we’ll look at 5 must-eat street foods you should try at least once:

• Hotteok (sweet filled pancakes)
• Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
• Odeng/Eomuk (fish cake skewers)
• Kimbap (rice rolls)
• Twigim (Korean-style tempura)

Plus: where to find them and how to order without stress.

 

1. Hotteok (호떡) – Sweet, Crispy, Perfect for Cold Days

If you see a flat, round “pancake” being fried in lots of oil, that’s probably hotteok.

What it is

Hotteok is a sweet Korean pancake, usually:

• filled with brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped nuts or seeds
• fried until the outside is crispy and the inside is gooey and hot

There are also modern versions with green tea, cheese or even savoury fillings.

What it tastes like

• Crispy outside, soft and chewy dough
• Melted sugar syrup inside – careful, it’s hot!
• Sweet but not as heavy as a European cake

Where to find hotteok in Seoul

• Myeongdong street food stalls (especially in the evening)
• Namdaemun Market
• Smaller local markets in winter and autumn

Tip:

Eat it right away while it’s hot – but take small bites so you don’t burn your mouth.

 

 

2. Tteokbokki (떡볶이) – Spicy Rice Cakes in Red Sauce

If you imagine Korean street food, you probably picture tteokbokki: rice cakes in a bright red sauce.

What it is

Tteokbokki is:

• cylindrical rice cakes (tteok)
• cooked in a thick, spicy-sweet gochujang (chili paste) sauce
• often served with fish cake slices, boiled egg or fried toppings

There are also non-spicy or cream-based versions, but the classic is red and a bit spicy.

What it tastes like

• The rice cakes are chewy and filling
• The sauce is sweet, salty and spicy at the same time
• Comfort food – especially on cold or rainy days

Where to find tteokbokki in Seoul

• Gwangjang Market – many ahjumma (auntie) stalls with big metal pans
• Namdaemun Market & Myeongdong street food
• Small snack shops called “bunsikjip” (분식집) near schools and subway stations

How to order:
Point at the pan and say:

“떡볶이 하나 주세요” (tteokbokki hana juseyo – one portion, please).

 

 

3. Odeng / Eomuk (오뎅 / 어묵) – Fish Cake Skewers in Hot Broth

You’ll often see long skewers of something beige floating in a big metal pot with steaming broth – that’s odeng or eomuk.

What it is

Odeng/eomuk is:

• ground fish paste mixed with flour and seasonings
• shaped into thin sheets or sticks
• skewered and kept warm in a light, savoury broth

At stalls, you usually grab a skewer yourself and eat it standing, then tell the owner how many you had.

What it tastes like

• Soft, bouncy texture
• Mild, savoury fish flavour
• The broth is free to drink in many places and tastes light and comforting

Where to find odeng in Seoul

• Next to tteokbokki stalls almost everywhere
• Markets like Gwangjang, Namdaemun, Tongin Market
• Small street carts in residential areas, especially in winter

Tip:

Don’t be shy about drinking the broth from the metal cups – it’s part of the experience and helps balance spicy tteokbokki.

 

 

4. Kimbap (김밥) – Korea’s Grab-and-Go Rice Rolls

Kimbap looks a bit like sushi, but it’s definitely its own thing.

What it is

Kimbap is:

• rice seasoned with sesame oil (not vinegar)
• rolled with fillings such as carrot, spinach, pickled radish, egg, ham or tuna
• wrapped in seaweed and sliced into bite-sized pieces

There are many types: tuna mayo, cheese, bulgogi, vegetable, kimchi and more.

What it tastes like

• Light, savoury and slightly nutty from the sesame oil
• Not raw – most ingredients are cooked or pickled
• Easy to eat and not messy

Where to find kimbap in Seoul

• Gimbap chains (김밥천국 and similar) – cheap and everywhere
• Markets with ready-to-eat rolls
• Convenience stores – perfect for a quick snack or picnic at the Han River

Tip:

Kimbap is great if you need a non-spicy option or want something easy to carry while you explore.

 

 

5. Twigim (튀김) – Korean-Style Fried Snacks

If you see a stall with many different fried items (shrimp, dumplings, vegetables, seaweed rolls) – that’s twigim, Korean-style tempura.

What it is

Twigim includes:

• fried sweet potato, pumpkin, chili peppers
• fried dumplings (mandu), squid, shrimp
• gimmari (김말이) – glass noodles wrapped in seaweed and fried

You usually choose a few pieces, put them on a plate, and they’re often eaten together with tteokbokki sauce.

What it tastes like

• Crunchy outside, soft inside
• Not as light as Japanese tempura, but very satisfying
• Amazing when dipped into spicy tteokbokki sauce

Where to find twigim in Seoul

• Bunsikjip (snack shops) that sell tteokbokki
• Street stalls in Myeongdong, Namdaemun, Gwangjang Market
• Near schools and office areas as a quick snack

Tip:

Say: “튀김 조금씩 섞어 주세요” (twigim jogeum-ssik seokkeo juseyo – please mix a few pieces) if you want a small variety.

Which Market Should You Visit First?

If you’re short on time in Seoul, here’s a quick guide:

• Gwangjang Market – best for foodies; famous for kimbap, bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and lots of tteokbokki/odeng stalls.
• Namdaemun Market – mix of street food, clothes and souvenirs; great for hotteok, tteokbokki and snacks.
• Myeongdong Street Food – perfect if you’re already shopping there in the evening; lots of hotteok, skewers and creative snacks.

 

Tips for Enjoying Korean Street Food Like a Local

• Bring cash – many small stalls still prefer cash, even if Korea is very card-friendly overall.
• Share plates – street food is perfect for sharing with friends so you can taste more things.
• Start mild, then go spicy – if you’re not used to Korean spice, begin with kimbap and odeng, then level up to tteokbokki and twigim with sauce.
• Watch what locals do – how they order, where they stand, how they pay. It’s the easiest way to learn the “rules” without speaking much Korean.