[Food Review/Recommendation] What to Eat in South Korea! | Part 1 : Snacks/Fast Food
By Lasmarya Hadi Purwanto - October 19, 2017
So, hi! hi!
Since the #SouthKorea series is now done, I'm thinking of sharing some recommendations based on our experience as first timers in South Korea. Though we hadn't explored that much, (you can check the complete travelogues in the "Travel" menu!) and this is totally my personal opinion, I really do hope that it'll be some kinda help for any of you who're planning to visit Seoul, or maybe Jeju or Busan in the near future. So, are you ready to indulge your eyes and tummy for some #foodporn?? O.O XD
Attention! : This list is made to suit the winter-almost-spring kinda weather, so we mostly looked for warm and spicy foods, which means, Patbingsu (Red Bean Shaved Ice) or 32 cm ice-cream won't make it into the list.
치킨 or KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN
Forget KFC!
Yes, the Kentucky Fried Chicken that you and I know!
Because in this land, Fried Chicken is taken to another heavenly level!
This one effortlessly earns its position at the top as it tastes nothing like any fried chicken that I've ever had! It's on a whole different level! The sauce, the texture, the crunchiness, everything just fits perfectly!
"Chi-maek" is a well-known phrase for the youngsters and adults in South Korea as they usually enjoy the fried chicken accompanied by some beer. "Chi-" comes from "Chi-cken" while "-maek" is from "Maekju" or Beer in Korean. Oh, and one more thing, the fried chicken is not sold per piece like what we have here in Indonesia, they sell it "half-half", (a whole chicken served with two different kinds of sauces) or "whole" (with only one sauce for the entire chicken). The price generally ranges from KRW 16,000-20,000 (boneless chicken usually costs around KRW 2,000 higher than the ones with bones) with no delivery fee.
There are various outlets all over Korea that serve this delicacy, such as BHC 치킨, Kyochon, Hanchu and one that we tried and fell in love with, NENE CHICKEN! So, it definitely won't be difficult to spot one in any crowded area.
as seen in day 1
DELI MANJOO
If you notice, all through our travel diary, we kept having this Deli Manjoo as our "to go" snack. It started out as a mini, soft corn shaped cake filled with delicious custard, which turned out to be a big hit and now it has also added the red bean paste + walnut filling to the menu. We love Deli Manjoo so much that almost every time we saw the stall in subway stations, we stopped to buy some. It's really convenient to take around, and when it's eaten warm, the filling inside tastes sooo delish, like it melts in your mouth, aihhh, I'm licking my lip as I'm describing it. Probably one of the reasons why it tastes so good when eaten in the chilly weather is that it is simply like a homemade snacks, nothing fancy but heart-warming enough.
Deli Manjoo can be found in most subway stations, price ranging from KRW 2,000-5,000.
Another fascinating thing about Deli Manjoo's stall is that it has its own patented machine set up behind the transparent glass wall next to the counter which allows customer to watch the whole baking process done automatically. Yes, automatically, the workers only need to pour in the dough to a container and the machine will do the rest. How cool is that??
If you notice, all through our travel diary, we kept having this Deli Manjoo as our "to go" snack. It started out as a mini, soft corn shaped cake filled with delicious custard, which turned out to be a big hit and now it has also added the red bean paste + walnut filling to the menu. We love Deli Manjoo so much that almost every time we saw the stall in subway stations, we stopped to buy some. It's really convenient to take around, and when it's eaten warm, the filling inside tastes sooo delish, like it melts in your mouth, aihhh, I'm licking my lip as I'm describing it. Probably one of the reasons why it tastes so good when eaten in the chilly weather is that it is simply like a homemade snacks, nothing fancy but heart-warming enough.
Deli Manjoo can be found in most subway stations, price ranging from KRW 2,000-5,000.
Another fascinating thing about Deli Manjoo's stall is that it has its own patented machine set up behind the transparent glass wall next to the counter which allows customer to watch the whole baking process done automatically. Yes, automatically, the workers only need to pour in the dough to a container and the machine will do the rest. How cool is that??
The ones we bought: Corn (7 pcs) - KRW 2,000 and Red Bean + Walnut (8 pcs) - KRW 3,000.
SSAN NAK JI (RAW OCTOPUS)
Okay, so how could the raw octopus make it into the list? Isn't it scary? Disgusting?
Well, to be honest, I'd always been curious of how it tastes all this while that I planned to have a try once I was in Korea, but when I was told that I could die eating that, because it might suffocate me, it might get stuck in my throat and cause difficulty breathing, that it's dangerous, I freaked out.
But, when we're in Gwangjang Market, I somehow gained my courage back, maybe because my friends were so eager about it, that I was infected too, or maybe because I heard Christian Grey's voice whispering to my subconsciousness as he said,"Most of your fear is in your head." LOL
Seriously, it's not that bad. Yeah, it's literally still moving after it's chopped, and it's also still moving when you pick it up with your chopstick, even when you put it into your mouth. But, it really didn't even taste bad, it's not fishy, and when you dip it into the red sauce, it tasted like Chuka Idako or Baby Octopus in the usual Japanese restaurant. So, it's not bad at all, and I'm happy that I did have a try of it. (I'm happy that Christian Grey came out at the right time! ROTFL #loh #meeeh #rollingeyes)
I'm telling you that it's really worth. You, SHOULD try it out too.
I'm wholeheartedly wishing that we have the technology of "live" photos like the ones in Harry Potter, (not like gif., I want the photos in which the figure can come alive and talk, just as the Fat Lady painting in front of the Gryffindor's dorm, and all the pictures hanging all along the stairs in Hogwarts) so that I can show you the appearance of the octopus when it's served to us. But, worry NOT, cause I have it secured in our day 6's vlog. Go check out the footage. :)
Well, to be honest, I'd always been curious of how it tastes all this while that I planned to have a try once I was in Korea, but when I was told that I could die eating that, because it might suffocate me, it might get stuck in my throat and cause difficulty breathing, that it's dangerous, I freaked out.
But, when we're in Gwangjang Market, I somehow gained my courage back, maybe because my friends were so eager about it, that I was infected too, or maybe because I heard Christian Grey's voice whispering to my subconsciousness as he said,"Most of your fear is in your head." LOL
Seriously, it's not that bad. Yeah, it's literally still moving after it's chopped, and it's also still moving when you pick it up with your chopstick, even when you put it into your mouth. But, it really didn't even taste bad, it's not fishy, and when you dip it into the red sauce, it tasted like Chuka Idako or Baby Octopus in the usual Japanese restaurant. So, it's not bad at all, and I'm happy that I did have a try of it. (I'm happy that Christian Grey came out at the right time! ROTFL #loh #meeeh #rollingeyes)
I'm telling you that it's really worth. You, SHOULD try it out too.
I'm wholeheartedly wishing that we have the technology of "live" photos like the ones in Harry Potter, (not like gif., I want the photos in which the figure can come alive and talk, just as the Fat Lady painting in front of the Gryffindor's dorm, and all the pictures hanging all along the stairs in Hogwarts) so that I can show you the appearance of the octopus when it's served to us. But, worry NOT, cause I have it secured in our day 6's vlog. Go check out the footage. :)
Where to find:
Any market with food stalls, which usually also sell Tteokbokki, Kimbab, Sundae etc.
Tips: Look for stalls with aquarium and live octopus swimming in it!
Price: KRW 15,000
The one we had was in Gwangjang Market (near Dongdaemun)
Directions: [subway]
Jongno5-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 8
Euljiro 4-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 & 5), Exit 4
Any market with food stalls, which usually also sell Tteokbokki, Kimbab, Sundae etc.
Tips: Look for stalls with aquarium and live octopus swimming in it!
Price: KRW 15,000
The one we had was in Gwangjang Market (near Dongdaemun)
Directions: [subway]
Jongno5-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 8
Euljiro 4-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 & 5), Exit 4
MARKET FOOD : TTEOKBOKKI/RICECAKE, KIMBAB/RICE ROLL, ODENG/FISHCAKE, FRIED CHILLI PEPPER
I put them all under the same category, as you can usually find all of them in one place. In other words, the kiosk that sells Tteobokki or Odeng, generally sells the others in the picture too. So, there's no fuss ordering from several different stalls, and you can enjoy them altogether. Needless to say, these are the typical Korean local food that you should try if you are a first-timer to Korea. I know that they are sold globally now, and they are available in supermarkets, and there are also a lot of Korean restaurants which serve these food, but I still think it's the best to try it right at the homeland, it just has different feeling, maybe more authentic?
You can easily find them, they are almost everywhere, but from our experience, we mostly come across them in markets.
Price ranging from KRW 2,000-5,000.
The total cost for the ones in the photo below was KRW 12,000.
STREET FOOD
It is a no doubt that you'll always have to try street foods whenever you're travelling, especially when there are so many options to choose, with each one of them looking so tempting, it's definitely a big NO to miss out. Skip dinner once and spare some space in your tummy to fill in with these mouth-watering snacks, ranging from KRW 1,500 - 5,000. The stalls can easily be spotted in most busy streets like Myeongdong, Hongdae, Ewha Univ. even in Busan International Film Festival area.
Street food to try:
Gyeran Bbang or Egg Bread (KRW 1,500): a kind of soft bread topped with egg and filled with boiled egg yolk inside;
Goguma Mattang or Candied/Caramelized Sweet Potato (KRW 3,000 per cup) : honey-glazed sweet potato, best eaten when it's warm, when it has cooled down, it usually becomes harder to chew;
Dakbal or Chicken Feet, stir-fried with torched Mozzarella on top (KRW 5,000);
Fried Shrimp or Tempura;
Bungeo-ppang or Carp Bread: fish-shaped bread stuffed with red bean paste (KRW 3,000);
and many moreeeeeee.
Gyeran Bbang or Egg Bread (KRW 1,500): a kind of soft bread topped with egg and filled with boiled egg yolk inside;
Goguma Mattang or Candied/Caramelized Sweet Potato (KRW 3,000 per cup) : honey-glazed sweet potato, best eaten when it's warm, when it has cooled down, it usually becomes harder to chew;
Dakbal or Chicken Feet, stir-fried with torched Mozzarella on top (KRW 5,000);
Fried Shrimp or Tempura;
Bungeo-ppang or Carp Bread: fish-shaped bread stuffed with red bean paste (KRW 3,000);
and many moreeeeeee.
Tips: Bring your friend(S) (plural if possible!) when you embark on the "street-food tasting journey", and share with them, that way you won't get full too early, and you will still be able to have a taste of more various choices of food. Not to mention that it will cost less money to you and your friend! psst, it also won't make you look so lonely eating alone in the middle of a crowded street. XD
My college friends once taught me that when I'm travelling, I should make a visit to some of the fast food chains, either local or international ones, as they usually serve different kinds of menu in every country. I did this several times when I was abroad, and I found out that it is truly an amazing tips! (well, yeah, for a big eater like me, yes, it is amazing!). I've tried KFC Ayam Kicap Meletup only sold in Malaysia, McD's Taro Pie in Beijing, McD's Banana Pie and Banana McFlurry in Melaka, and KFC's aromatic spiced fried chicken in Bangkok (I don't know the name as I don't speak and read Thai LOL). And this is also one of the reasons why I put these Korean local (now, growing globally) fast food chains into the list:
LOTTERIA
Although Lotteria is known to be a subsidiary of Lotte, a company founded by a South Korean businessman, it was first established in Tokyo, years before it found its way to its homeland, Seoul. Lotteria's most popular menu includes hamburger, cheeseburgers, fries, chicken wings, and other typical fast food items, and it is also famous for inventing the first shrimp burger in Japan. It has now spread throughout East Asia and opened its franchises in some countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.As I opted for authentic taste of Korea, I ordered the Bulgogi Burger, which tasted so so good. Marinated well, tender and juicy meat, slightly sweet, soft bread, fresh vegetable, added with the feeling that you're eating it in the home of Bulgogi, what else could you ask for? Haha
If you are a cheese lover, you can choose Hash Brown with Mozzarella burger, like Fiona, and look at that melted cheese and hash brown stacked so mouth-wateringly *drooling, I'm not a cheese-lover myself, but just looking at the burger made me hungry. XD
Price a la carte: KRW 3,400-5,000 per burger
Set menus are also available.
Where to find: all over South Korea (airports included)
ISAAC TOAST
Last but not least, Isaac Toast!
Isaac Toast, namely the most popular Korean breakfast toast in Seoul, is living its hype with over 700 retail stores established in South Korea alone and has also expanded internationally with branches in Macau, Hongkong and Taiwan.
Isaac Toast earns its fame by its simple but satisfying menus, and I can tell you that I've confirmed it myself. Though it may look really simple, just like a usual sandwich, it can be pretty addictive once you give it a try.
Reasons why you should have Isaac Toast for breakfast (a piece of happiness to kick off your day sounds pretty good, right?):
First, it is freshly made in front of you. Yes, you can see the whole process from butter-frying the bread (they don't put the bread into toaster!), stacking the cheese, veggies, fried egg, and meat, adding the sauce, wrapping the sandwich, and finally presenting it to you. (You can check some footage of it in the day 7's vlog )
Second, it is said that most of Isaac Toast's ingredients are made from their own secret recipe, including the bread, patties and even the special honey sauce. I guess these account for its very appetizing sandwiches.
Third, they have almost everything you want for a fulfilling breakfast: sandwich, coffee, and juice with lots and lots of choices available, starting from ham, bacon, shrimp, chicken, bulgogi, bulgalbi, potato, you name it! With drinks ranging from coffee and tea served hot, to juices served with ice.
Fourth, Isaac Toast is very famous, that most of the times you can see a lot of people queuing, but fret not, cause the Ahjummas can serve really fast, so it will be your turn very soon.
Fifth, it is really affordable, with price ranging from KRW 2,000-3,400 for sandwiches and around KRW 3,000 for each juice.
Sixth, the top reason among all, the TASTE! As I've said in the day 7's travel diary, and I'm quoting again (like I can quote myself? Whatever! Haha), this is literally one of the best toasts I've ever had in my life. The perfect crunchiness of the bread, the generous amount of butter, the seasoned well bulgalbi (barbequed beef steak), the fresh veggies, the soft fried eggs, the sweet sauce, a little bit of spiciness from the chili sauce, aihhh, everything tastes so heavenly! Food-gasm alert! Definitely worth its hype!
photo taken from : Happiebb
Where to find:
It is not difficult to find an Isaac Toast stall all around Seoul, especially in crowded areas, all you need to do is to spot the red and white theme logo.
Attention!
Most of Isaac Toast's outlets are for take-outs, and only some have dine-in service, but with not so spacious size. So, don't expect too much that you'll get a seat. The sandwiches is really convenient to be eaten on the go, so I'm sure that won't be much problem. But if you really hope to find one where you can have a seat and enjoy, you can try to look for its Hongdae branch that faces the Hongik University entrance:
Isaac Toast Hongdae
93, Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04040, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 333 2492
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Fri), 9:00am – 10:00pm (Sat – Sun)
Tel: +82 2 333 2492
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Fri), 9:00am – 10:00pm (Sat – Sun)
Isaac Toast (Hongdae) - the one that we had
43 Jangchungdan-ro 13-gil, Euljiro 6(yuk)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
p.s.: It is in an alley, so you'll need to be careful not to walk pass it.
Isaac Toast Myeongdong
105 Toegye-ro, Chungmuro 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 752 3002
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 8:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
105 Toegye-ro, Chungmuro 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 752 3002
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 8:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Another Isaac Toast's outlets in Myeongdong as listed in happiebb's blog:
– Myeongdong subway station; Exit 2 or 3
Walk towards the left of Pacific Hotel and you’ll see the take-out shop.
– Myeongdong subway station; Exit 5
Walk along the main road, you will pass Loisir Hotel, and then Days Hotel, and you should see the take-out shop.
Are you hungry now? Or maybe drooling? XD
1 comments
I want to try this wings!
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