Food @ Korea

1) Peanut cake (Dongdaemun)

If you are a peanut lover, I would definitely recommend getting this!  It is not overly sweet and best to eat it when it is piping hot. Imagine this, soft pancake wrapping around a whole peanut. It is a great go-to snack to get while shopping along Dongdaemun.

2) Corndog (Dongdaemun)

Looking at this picture makes me salivate! There was a variety of combination to choose from like a hotdog with cheese or cheese only and many others. However, what I am holding on is just mozzarella cheese stick wrapped with a crispy batter. The vendor had a selection of sauces to choose from but still not going adventurous and al1. I went for the basic, mayo and hot sauce! Yet, there can be some improvements to be made with this street food. If only the batter could be thinner cause 70% of this goodness was just bread. Nonetheless, it was really delicious and you should give it a try.

3) BBQ (Hongdae)

The BBQ there was phenomenal! It was a very convenient way to satisfy the cravings other than going to the shops and getting hands-on. 

I would definitely recommend this stick which consists of chicken and scallions! Who knew such a basic combination could make it so delicious. There is a fine line when cooking something too oily or salty when it comes to BBQ and the scallions help to balance the flavour out.

4) Walnut cake a.k.a Hodu gwaja 

If you are a walnut lover, I would definitely recommend getting this!  Other than a whole walnut, there is red bean paste in it. The whole cake is not overly sweetened by the paste and best to be consumed when it is piping hot.

5) Egg bread (Myeongdong)

I do not know what the locals call this but I would say it is very delicious. The texture is in between bread and cake. It consists of ham and an egg on the top. This feels like a breakfast or tea-time kind of dish. It is not normally displayed like how the rest of the street food would. Thus, keep a lookout for a vendor with stacks of metal steamers and that is how you would find this amazing dish!

6) Oreo churros (Myeongdong)

This is a typical churro that you can find at any Pasar Malam (Singapore Night Market). However, the selling point about it is the oreo theme. So other than getting the churro, you will also receive a small tub of white icing which represents the cream in between the 2 oreo cookies. The taste is nothing outstanding really but I mean you can't go wrong with churros, can you?

7) Mini gimbap (Myeongdong)

Gimbap is something that we commonly see in k-dramas other than ramyun. This vendor only makes a certain amount of gimbap at a time to maintain the freshness of everything. They provided a variety of flavours to choose from like spam, crabsticks, cheese and even bulgogi! Something out of the norm. At the price of 5000 won, you will be able to choose 6 pieces of your choice which I think is a great idea. An affordable yet fulfilling snack to munch on while shopping along Myeongdong beauty street.

8) Isaac toast and coffee (Myeongdong)

When I did my research on what I should be eating in Korea, Isaac toast and coffee always came up first. Hence, I went to try it for myself and find out why. Thick, soft buttered toasts sandwich an omelette, fresh shredded vegetables, cheese, house sauce and meat of your choice (as in the sandwich you choose). This is definitely different from the toast that you usually dip in 2 soft boiled eggs early morning at your nearby coffee shop.

9) Street candy (Bukchon Hanok Village)

According to the vendor, this candy helps to soothe your throat and is good for a cough? I am not quite sure about the benefits of it but is definitely delicious! It is like a hard taffy but much more addictive. The downside is that the portions are on the bigger side. Best to share with the rest in your crew. If you cannot finish it within a day or two, do not put them in the fridge. It will only harden them making it harder to consume it. 

10) Mariwhale macaron

This is the place where you get your macaron fix! They have a variety of interesting flavours with very bright colours. Totally recommend their green tea mochi! It was divine and a unique item that I cannot find in Singapore. The best thing about them, cheap and not overly sweet.

11) Hotteok (Busan)

Hotteok in Busan is very different from hotteok in Seoul. Why you ask? In Busan, they add a mixture of nuts like pine nuts. Hence, other than the melted sugar goodness you taste, you will be able to crunch into those nuts which help adds texture.