7 Korean Street Foods You Can Make at Home – Easy Recipes

When you think of South Korea, images of bustling markets filled with vibrant food stalls, mouthwatering aromas, and tantalizing flavors often come to mind. Korean street foods are a beloved aspect of the country’s rich culinary tapestry, offering a delightful mix of sweet, savory, and spicy treats that have captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide. The good news? You don’t have to travel to Seoul’s bustling markets to enjoy these delicacies. With the right ingredients and a little bit of time, you can recreate these popular Korean street foods right in your own kitchen. Let’s dive into seven iconic Korean street foods that you can easily make at home, bringing the flavors of South Korea straight to your table.

1. Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)

What Is Tteokbokki?

Tteokbokki is perhaps one of the most iconic and beloved Korean street foods. These chewy rice cakes, known as “tteok,” are simmered in a spicy, sweet, and savory sauce made from gochujang (Korean red chili paste), soy sauce, sugar, and garlic. The dish is often garnished with boiled eggs, fish cakes (eomuk), and green onions, adding layers of flavor and texture.

How to Make Tteokbokki at Home

To recreate this popular dish at home, start by sourcing fresh or frozen Korean rice cakes, which you can find in most Asian grocery stores. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Korean rice cakes (tteok)
• 4 cups water or anchovy broth
• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup fish cakes, sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 hard-boiled eggs (optional)
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Soak the rice cakes in warm water for about 10 minutes if they are frozen.
2. In a large pan, bring the water or anchovy broth to a boil.
3. Add the gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic. Stir until the sauce is well combined.
4. Add the rice cakes and fish cakes to the pan, simmering for 10-15 minutes until the rice cakes are soft and the sauce thickens.
5. Add the green onions and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
6. Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced boiled eggs.

Why You’ll Love It

Tteokbokki is a comforting dish with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. The chewy texture of the rice cakes paired with the rich, spicy sauce makes it incredibly satisfying. Plus, it’s versatile – you can add cheese, seafood, or even ramen noodles to make it a more substantial meal.

2. Hotteok (Sweet Pancakes)

What Is Hotteok?

Hotteok is a popular winter street food in Korea, known for its crispy exterior and gooey, sweet filling. These pancakes are typically filled with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts, which caramelizes as the pancakes cook on a griddle, creating a delightful, molten center.

How to Make Hotteok at Home

Making hotteok at home is surprisingly simple and requires only a few basic ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or peanuts

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
2. Add the flour, salt, and vegetable oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms, then cover and let it rise for 1 hour.
3. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts for the filling.
4. Divide the dough into small balls and flatten each ball in your hand. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center, then fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal.
5. Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat and add a little oil. Place the filled dough balls seam-side down on the griddle and flatten them slightly with a spatula.
6. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.

Why You’ll Love It

Hotteok offers the perfect balance of crispy and chewy textures, with a warm, sweet filling that’s simply irresistible. These pancakes are a great treat for cold days, and their nutty, cinnamon-scented filling will fill your kitchen with an inviting aroma.

3. Gimbap (Korean Rice Rolls)

What Is Gimbap?

Gimbap, also known as “Korean sushi,” is a popular grab-and-go street food in South Korea. It consists of seasoned rice, various vegetables, eggs, and sometimes meat or fish, all rolled up in a sheet of seaweed (gim). Unlike sushi, which uses vinegared rice and raw fish, gimbap uses sesame oil-seasoned rice and typically includes cooked or pickled ingredients.

How to Make Gimbap at Home

Gimbap is a fun dish to make, and you can customize the fillings to suit your taste.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked short-grain rice
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 5 sheets of roasted seaweed (gim)
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 cucumber, julienned
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 pound beef (or tofu), thinly sliced and stir-fried
• 5-6 pickled radish strips (danmuji)
• 1 cup spinach, blanched and seasoned with sesame oil and salt

Instructions:

1. Season the warm rice with sesame oil and salt, mixing well.
2. In a large pan, sauté the carrots and cucumbers until tender. Set aside.
3. Pour the beaten eggs into the pan, cooking until set, then slice into strips.
4. Lay a sheet of seaweed on a bamboo mat or a clean surface. Spread a thin layer of rice over the seaweed, leaving a small border at the top.
5. Arrange the vegetables, eggs, beef (or tofu), and pickled radish strips horizontally across the rice.
6. Roll the gimbap tightly, using the bamboo mat to help, then slice into bite-sized pieces.

Why You’ll Love It

Gimbap is incredibly versatile, allowing you to use whatever fillings you prefer. It’s perfect for picnics, lunchboxes, or a light meal at home. The combination of seasoned rice, fresh vegetables, and savory fillings makes it a well-balanced and satisfying dish.

4. Pajeon (Korean Scallion Pancakes)

What Is Pajeon?

Pajeon is a savory Korean pancake made with a batter of flour, eggs, and green onions (pa), often combined with other ingredients like seafood (haemul pajeon) or kimchi (kimchi pajeon). It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and is typically served with a tangy dipping sauce.

How to Make Pajeon at Home

This recipe for pajeon is straightforward and can be adapted with different ingredients depending on your preference.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rice flour (optional, for extra crispiness)
• 1 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 bunch green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup seafood mix (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Dipping Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, rice flour, water, and egg until a smooth batter forms.
2. Stir in the green onions and seafood, if using. Season with a pinch of salt.
3. Heat a large pan over medium heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom.
4. Pour in the batter, spreading it out to form an even layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy, then flip and cook the other side.
5. Serve hot with the dipping sauce on the side.

Why You’ll Love It

Pajeon is a comfort food classic that’s easy to whip up and deeply satisfying. The crispy edges and tender center, paired with the savory, slightly spicy dipping sauce, make it a perfect appetizer or snack. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover vegetables or seafood.

5. Japchae (Stir-Fried Glass Noodles)

What Is Japchae?

Japchae is a popular Korean dish made with glass noodles (dangmyeon) stir-fried with vegetables, beef, and a sweet-savory sauce. It’s a favorite at festivals and celebrations but also commonly found as a street food, served hot or cold.

How to Make Japchae at Home

Japchae might seem complicated, but it’s quite simple with some prep work. Here’s a basic recipe:

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon)
• 1/2 pound beef, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 bunch spinach, blanched
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Cook the sweet potato noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil and stir-fry the beef until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same pan, sauté the carrots, onion, and bell pepper until tender.
4. Add the garlic and cooked noodles to the pan, along with the beef.
5. Stir in the soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil, mixing everything until well combined and heated through.
6. Serve garnished with sesame seeds.

Why You’ll Love It

Japchae is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures – the chewy glass noodles, crisp vegetables, and savory beef come together in a slightly sweet sauce that’s incredibly satisfying. It’s a versatile dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it perfect for any season.

6. Eomuk (Fish Cake Skewers)

What Is Eomuk?

Eomuk, or fish cakes, are a popular street food in Korea, often served on skewers in a hot broth. These skewers are simple yet flavorful, with the fish cakes absorbing the savory broth they’re simmered in. Eomuk is particularly popular during the colder months, offering a warm and comforting snack.

How to Make Eomuk at Home

Recreating eomuk at home requires some basic ingredients, which you can easily find at a well-stocked Asian grocery store.

Ingredients:

• 1 package Korean fish cakes (eomuk)
• 4 cups anchovy broth or water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Prepare the anchovy broth by simmering dried anchovies and kelp in water for 10 minutes. Remove the anchovies and kelp.
2. Add the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, green onion, and garlic to the broth. Bring to a simmer.
3. Skewer the fish cakes and add them to the broth. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until heated through and infused with flavor.
4. Serve hot with a side of dipping sauce if desired.

Why You’ll Love It

Eomuk skewers are quick, easy, and incredibly comforting. The savory broth enhances the flavor of the fish cakes, making them a perfect snack or appetizer. Plus, the skewers are fun to eat and bring a bit of Korean street food culture to your home.

7. Bungeoppang (Fish-Shaped Pastry)

What Is Bungeoppang?

Bungeoppang is a popular Korean street food, especially in the winter months. These fish-shaped pastries are filled with sweetened red bean paste and cooked in a special mold until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The whimsical shape and sweet filling make bungeoppang a favorite among children and adults alike.

How to Make Bungeoppang at Home

To make bungeoppang at home, you’ll need a special fish-shaped mold, which you can find online or at some Asian markets.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup sweetened red bean paste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In another bowl, beat the egg, milk, and water together. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
3. Preheat the bungeoppang mold and lightly grease it with oil.
4. Pour a small amount of batter into each mold, add a spoonful of red bean paste, and cover with more batter.
5. Close the mold and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.

Why You’ll Love It

Bungeoppang is not just delicious; it’s fun to make and eat. The crispy exterior and soft, sweet filling make it a perfect snack for a chilly day. Plus, the fish shape adds a playful element that both kids and adults will enjoy.

Bringing the vibrant world of Korean street foods into your home kitchen is easier than you might think. These seven dishes represent just a small sample of the incredible diversity and flavor that Korean cuisine has to offer. Whether you’re craving something spicy, sweet, or savory, these recipes will transport you to the bustling streets of Seoul with every bite. Enjoy experimenting with these dishes and savor the authentic taste of Korean street food from the comfort of your home!