TASTY HANGUL · KOREAN FOOD GUIDE
Quick Help: Korean Winter Street Snacks
- What: Korea’s winter street snack trio, Bungeoppang, Hotteok, and Eomuk
- Where: Street stalls, usually only when it gets cold
- Price: Varies by stall, but a few thousand won usually goes a long way
- Contains: Wheat flour, red bean, custard cream (egg, milk), nuts, fish. Recipes vary by restaurant, so ask if you have allergies.
Hey, Sikgu!
Wondering what “Sikgu” means? Find out here →
Today, let’s talk about three Korean winter street snacks: Bungeoppang, Hotteok, and Eomuk!
What do these three have in common? They show up when winter comes.
Bungeoppang stalls popping up on the street? That’s how Koreans know: “Ah, winter is here.”
LET’S READ HANGUL
| Hangul | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 붕어빵 | bung-eo-ppang | 붕어 (crucian carp) + 빵 (bread) |
| 팥붕 | pat-bung | 팥 (red bean) + 붕 (short for bungeoppang) |
| 슈붕 | shu-bung | 슈 (choux cream) + 붕 |
| 호떡 | ho-tteok | sweet filled street pancake |
| 어묵 | eo-muk | fish-paste snack on a skewer |
01 Bungeoppang (붕어빵)
붕어빵 bungeoppang · fish-shaped bread
| 붕 bung ㅂ+ㅜ+ㅇ | 어 eo ㅇ+ㅓ | 빵 ppang ㅃ+ㅏ+ㅇ |
붕 = ㅂ(b) + ㅜ(u) + ㅇ(ng)
어 = ㅇ(silent) + ㅓ(eo)
빵 = ㅃ(pp) + ㅏ(a) + ㅇ(ng)
붕어빵 = bung-eo-ppang
Bungeoppang is fish-shaped bread. Don’t worry, there’s no fish inside!
When I was a kid, one bungeoppang cost 50 won. Now it depends on the stall, but a few thousand won usually gets you a small bag.
Pat-bung or Shu-bung, that is the question!
- Pat-bung (팥붕): filled with sweet red bean paste
- Shu-bung (슈붕): filled with choux cream (슈크림)
There are some unique flavors out there, but these two are the top 2. Which one is better? Totally up to you. Me? I usually go 2 red bean : 1 cream.
And here’s another big debate: do you eat it head first or tail first? Koreans are split on this one too!
SAY THIS
사장님, 붕어빵 세 개 주세요. 팥붕 두 개, 슈붕 한 개요.
Sajangnim, bungeoppang se gae juseyo. Pat-bung du gae, shu-bung han gae-yo.
Excuse me (owner), three bungeoppang please. Two red bean, one cream.
02 Hotteok (호떡)
호떡 hotteok · sweet filled pancake
| 호 ho ㅎ+ㅗ | 떡 tteok ㄸ+ㅓ+ㄱ |
호 = ㅎ(h) + ㅗ(o)
떡 = ㄸ(tt) + ㅓ(eo) + ㄱ(k)
호떡 = ho-tteok
Hotteok is seriously, SO good.
It has “tteok” in the name, but it’s nothing like chewy tteok. Think of a sweet pancake filled with brown sugar, nuts, and a little cinnamon.
Careful, it’s really hot! The melted sugar inside can suddenly burst out and burn your mouth.
My secret tip
When you get your hotteok, tear it in half lengthwise. Let the filling cool in the cold winter air for a moment, then eat. No sugar dripping everywhere, and wow, it’s so good.
SAY THIS
사장님, 호떡 두 개 주세요.
Sajangnim, hotteok du gae juseyo.
Two hotteok, please.
03 Eomuk (어묵)
어묵 eomuk · fish-paste skewer
| 어 eo ㅇ+ㅓ | 묵 muk ㅁ+ㅜ+ㄱ |
어 = ㅇ(silent) + ㅓ(eo)
묵 = ㅁ(m) + ㅜ(u) + ㄱ(k)
어묵 = eo-muk
On a cold winter day, eomuk is like a little street pit stop where you can warm up with a cup of hot broth. You have to try it!
When you buy eomuk, you usually get the broth too. Most people scoop it into a paper cup.
Eomuk has its own debate: the ones that soaked in the broth for a long time and got soft, or the fresh ones that are still bouncy? You’ll only know after you try both!
Paying for eomuk is unique. You eat first, then pay by counting how many skewers you had.
SAY THIS
사장님, 어묵 얼마예요?
Sajangnim, eomuk eolma-yeyo?
How much is the eomuk?
사장님, 국물 좀 마실게요.
Sajangnim, gungmul jom masilgeyo.
I’ll have some broth.
사장님, 어묵 세 개 먹었어요. 계산해 주세요.
Sajangnim, eomuk se gae meogeosseoyo. Gyesanhae juseyo.
I had three eomuk. Can I pay, please?
Quick tip
Some stalls only take cash or bank transfer, so it’s handy to carry a little cash.
Sikgu, here’s the thing!
I wish I could walk around with you, buy you this street trio, and eat together. If you visit Korea in winter, don’t miss these three!
More Korean Street Food
- Tteokbokki
- Gimbap
- Bungeoppang, Hotteok & Eomuk (You are here)