Introduction
Korean snacks, with their diverse textures and bold flavors, have exceeded borders, captivating taste buds worldwide. In this beginner's guide, we will look into the diverse taste of Korean snacks, exploring the unique flavors, textures, and cultural significance that make them irresistible to both locals and international snack enthusiasts. Let’s look into some of the best Korean snacks for a beginner to eat, or if you are already a Korean snack enthusiast, you can find something new here. Welcome to the enchanting world of Korean snacking – a place where flavor knows no bounds!
1. Haitai’s Tteokbokki Chips
Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food that we all know of, consisting of chewy rice cakes cooked in a sweet and spicy gochujang (red pepper paste) sauce. Tteokbokki chips offer a crunchy variation of this beloved dish. These crisps capture the essence of tteokbokki with a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. The unique combination of textures – the crispiness of the chip and the sticky sweetness of the sauce – makes for an addictive snacking experience.
2. Yakult Yogurt Drink
Yakult is typically packaged in small, round plastic bottles. The bottle is designed for single-serving consumption, making it a convenient on-the-go beverage. The balance of sweetness and a slightly tangy taste is appealing to a wide range of consumers. Koreans include Yakult in their everyday lives to get the benefits of its probiotics. If you are looking for a healthy drink to integrate into your daily life, this drink is the one for you! It can also be mixed with soju, making a delicious cocktail.
3. Bibigo’s Seaweed Snacks
Seaweed snacks, known as 'gim' in Korean, are a staple in Korean households. These thin sheets of roasted seaweed are not only a guilt-free snack but also a nutrient-packed powerhouse. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and umami flavor, gim is available in various flavors, including sesame, teriyaki, and wasabi. These low-calorie treats are perfect for you if you are looking to satisfy your cravings while enjoying a healthy snack.
4. Nong Shim’s Goguma Kkang
Goguma Kkang is a a crispy sweet potato-flavoured snack coated in sweet syrup and black sesame seeds. The sweetness from the syrup coating is strengthened with the sweet potato flavour, and the black sesame seeds add a pleasing nuttiness to the overall taste. You can also find this snack in other flavours, including Corn, Potato, and Onion.
5. Binggrae’s Melona Ice Cream
Even though half of the world is living the winter season right now, we had to include this amazing ice cream to our list. Melona ice cream is a beloved Korean frozen treat known for its unique texture, refreshing taste, and popularity both in Korea and internationally. Produced by Binggrae, a prominent South Korean food company, Melona has become a symbol of summer and a go-to choice for those seeking a delightful and cooling dessert. This ice cream is known for its creamy consistency with a slightly chewy and stretchy quality, making it different from other types of ice cream. It also has a selection of flavors such as bananas, mangos, strawberries and purple yum ube.
6. Homerun Ball
Baseball is a widely enjoyed sport in Korea, so they of course have a snack referring to it. Homerun Ball is a snack that is in the shape of a baseball. The snack is known for its sweet and crunchy taste, and it comes in different flavors or variations. Some versions have a chocolate coating, while others include nuts or other ingredients for added texture and taste. It is commonly sold in small, individually wrapped packages, making it convenient for on-the-go snacking. If you are also a baseball enthusiast, do not forget to try this snack next time you are watching a baseball game!
7. Dried Sweet Potatoes
If you want to get a taste of sweet potatoes without feeling the guilt, dried sweet potatoes are just for you! Sweet potato chips are a popular and delicious snack made from thinly sliced sweet potatoes that are typically baked or fried until crispy. These chips offer a flavorful and healthier alternative to traditional potato chips, as sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients and natural sweetness. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamins A and C, and dietary fiber.
8. Orion’s Turtle Corn Chips
In case you are worried if there is any turtle by-product in this snack – fear not, it is just the name! These cutely packaged chips are corn chips that rival regular potato chips with their thicker texture and richer taste. A few flavours are available and they are all equally popular: corn soup, chocolate churros, sweet injeolmi, Himalayan salt, flamin’ lime, and cinnamon. You might think that the flavors are a bit odd, but do not speak before you try them, you might even fall in love with the flavors!
9. Lotte’s Ghana Milk Chocolate Bar
Lotte’s Ghana Milk Chocolate Bar was the best chocolate I have ever tried! With its milky taste and amazing chocolate quality, it deserves a spot on this list. Lotte is known for its commitment to quality, and the Ghana Milk Chocolate Bar reflects this with its use of the finest ingredients to create a high-quality chocolate experience. If you are not a milk chocolate lover, Lotte has a selection of flavors just for you, including mild, bitter, white, even roasted milk and pink chocolate! The company also releases limited edition flavors for special events. Do not forget to give these a try if you want to eat the best chocolate in the world!
10. Crown’s Sweet & Sour Candy
Crown’s Saekom Dalkom is a popular Korean sweet and our candy that is fruity that is bursting with a juicy flavour. At first the candy may seem like bubblegum but the longer you chew the softer it becomes! It has a wide selection of flavors such as lemonade, peach, grapes, and strawberries. If you like sour candies, this snack is just right for you!
Conclusion
Going on a journey into the world of Korean snacks reveals a diverse selection of flavors and textures. Exploring Korean treats provides a unique opportunity to taste the essence of Korean cuisine and culture. For beginners, the huge variety of Korean snacks might be overwhelming, but it is this diversity that makes the exploration so thrilling. Do not hesitate to try new flavors, embrace the sweet and savory dance on your taste buds, and let the adventure unfold one snack at a time. So, grab a bag of your favorite Korean snacks, and let your taste buds experience the vibrant and delicious flavor of Korean snacks. Happy snacking!
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