Introduction
While South Korea is a place where you can enjoy amazing views such as palaces covered in snow, light festivals, and even beautiful winter decorations and activities, it’s true beauty lies in the streets where you can find delicious Korean winter food that you must try. These hot dishes and snacks are what keep the locals warm and cozy all through the winter.
In this article we’re going to cover dishes like the famous Tteokbokki, Eomuk, and Ramyeon, and some more lesser known dishes like Mandu-Guk (Dumpling Soup), Sundubu jjigae and Haejangguk (Hangover soup).
So if you’re planning to go to Korea, or are already there, then read on more to find out some of the most delicious Korean street snacks and hot dishes.
Tteok-Mandu Guk (Rice cake-dumpling soup)
One of the Korean winter food that you must try is Tteok-Mandukguk, also known as rice cake dumpling soup. It’s a traditional winter food among the locals usually eaten on New Year’s and during the winter season.
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The rice cakes in the soup are cut in rounds, said to represent coins and the dumplings are shaped as Korean money purses (Bokjumeoni) to hold either money or candy.
The soup is a clear broth of various types like beef or seaweed, but it turns pretty after adding the rice cakes. This hearty dish has everything you need to jumpstart your winter in Korea!
Tteokbokki (Spicy Stir Fried Rice Cakes)
We had to add this in our list because 1) when you think of winter, you immediately think of Tteokbokki, and 2) Tteokbokki’s are a must have in winter season, thanks to all the cameos in the K-dramas.
Tteokbokki are steamed rice cakes that have a chewy texture. They are an ingredient that can be used in most Korean dishes. You can either have them stir fried, add them in soups, or just have them plain with your favorite Korean sauce.
Tteokbokki’s have different spice levels too. You can have them mild, hot, or extremely spicy based on your tolerance levels. However, be warned, these spicy rice cakes can be highly addicting!
Hodu-gwaja (Walnut cookies)
Just like roasted chestnuts, walnut cookies or Hodu-gwaja are a fun snack to enjoy in winter. It’s a popular Korean street snack that’s shaped as a walnut. These walnut cookies have a sweet red bean or mung bean paste filling with walnuts that are cut in chunks inside them.
While they taste similar to bunggeoppang (Korean fish-shaped pastry), they are nuttier in taste because of the walnuts. Be sure to enjoy these fun and handy snacks when you’re walking down the streets of Korea. These warm walnut cookies will surely keep you satisfied for long!
Ramyeon (Instant Noodles)
One of the quickest and easiest Korean winter foods to find is Ramyeon. Just a bowl of this instant noodles will feel like a warm and cozy hug. It’s one of the best snack, lunch, or even dinner that you can find during winter.
Featured in many Korean dramas, ramyeon can be found in convenience stores where you can easily prepare them with different ingredients to your liking. You can either eat it with tteokbokki and cheese, or just eat it as it is.
Ramyeon is the one dish that you can’t go wrong with.
Korean Hot Dogs (Gamja Hotdog)
Korean hot dogs are a bit different than your usual hot dog or corn dog that you find in other countries like US or UK. American corn dogs have a much doughier batter, while Korean corn dogs are crunchier.
Korean hot dogs are made differently, being fried in a beautiful crispy batter. The ingredients can either be hot dogs, rice cakes, fish cakes or even cheese placed on a stick.
The amazingly fried Korean snack is then topped up with sauces of your liking such as ketchup, mustard, or mayo with a sprinkle of sugar on top to give it that dramatic ending. These snacks can be sweet and savory at the same time, making it an ideal snack for winter.
Kimchi-Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
Another must try Korean dish that you can’t miss trying is Kimchi-Jjigae or Kimchi Stew. It’s a favorite staple of Koreans that’s great for anytime of the day or night. It’s the ultimate dish that satisfies your body, mind and soul and can even help you fight the flu during the winter season.
Kimchi-Jjigae is a comfort food for many Koreans and is often eaten with a bowl of warm rice. The stew can have different types of meats such as pork, beef, tuna, or even no meat at all. The broth that acts as a soup base can be of various types like anchovy, milky bone, chicken, or vegetable broths.
You certainly won’t regret having this bowl of goodness during the winter season.
Conclusion
South Korean winter cuisine is not just warm and comforting, but perfectly complements the chilly season. From the hearty Tteok-Mandu Guk and spicy Tteokbokki to the soul-warming Kimchi-Jjigae and Ramyeon, These foods not only satisfy hunger but also give you a taste of their culture. These dishes are famous among the locals, and what better way to understand Korean culture than eating what they eat, right?
Whether you're exploring street food markets or dining in cozy restaurants, these winter specialties are sure to keep you warm and content during your Korean winter adventure.
Image Sources:
https://www.beyondkimchee.com/kimchi-jjigae/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlJcziwjuDw&ab_channel=Maangchi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONQeQo_vfTM&ab_channel=%EA%B6%81%EA%B8%88%ED%95%9C%EB%AF%B8%EC%8B%9D%EA%B0%80QriousGourmet
https://www.tastingtable.com/1032986/hodu-gwaja-the-delightful-walnut-cookies-from-south-korea/
https://drivemehungry.com/tteokbokki-spicy-korean-rice-cakes/
https://butfirstwebrunch.com/tteok-mandu-guk-korean-rice-cake-and-dumpling-soup/
