One of the simplest ways to enjoy the city of Seoul is by tasting its foods. A walk around the capital city of Korea allows one to sample numerous snacks and to find many street food vendors and restaurants specializing in high-quality low-priced food. Many wonder whether food is good or how much it will cost to eat in Seoul.
The adventure starts at a small roadside food stall run by an elderly Korean lady. The first food tried is tteokbokki, which is a famous dish made of chewy rice cakes and mushroom sauce. At first, it is delicious, but gradually it feels spicier, although the soup is not hot.
What made the experience unforgettable is not only the food. The old lady at the stall asks not to pay for the food.
Cheap Korean Street Food in Seoul
At another street stall, fish cake is available for merely 1,000 won per piece. Besides, when served with a hot broth, fish cake turns out to be delightfully mild and tasty. In addition, I ordered a chicken teriyaki skewer, which adds sweetness and tenderness to my food list.
In summary, the cost of both fish cake and chicken is only 5,000 won, which proves that street food in Seoul is fairly cheap. Little street stalls are located in large groups in particular areas but can’t be everywhere.
We move on to another food experience. A Korean sugar candy inspired by Squid Game, called dalgona, is sold here. Dalgona is a caramelized sugar candy with a printed shape that is needed to be scratched out. The challenge consists of getting rid of the printed figure without breaking it.
Though the attempt fails, the process is really fun and enjoyable.
Gyeran-ppang which means egg bread in Korean is one of the best discoveries. It is freshly produced and sold in a small kiosk, and is made up of soft slightly sweet bread with egg on it. The sweet and savory mixture makes it both satisfying and filling.
After trying a number of foods, the journey continues towards Hongdae by taxi. It is about a 10-minute ride and costs 9,200 won on the meter. The Naver map makes things easier due to its information about Seoul’s streets and metro lines.
In Hongdae, the traveler gets to rest and have a Korean craft beer. The author describes it as smooth and a refreshing drink that is a perfect respite after walking and eating around the city.
Tornado Potato, Street Culture in Seoul
The last destination in this culinary journey is a tornado potato – a fried potato spiral well-seasoned with onion powder, making it a delightfully crunchy and incredibly cheap snack at 4,000 won. The texture of the dish has crisp exterior and soft interior, while the prominent flavor of the snack results from generous use of onion powder.
Apart from the culinary aspect, Seoul makes an impression on visitors from the very beginning. The city feels very safe, easy to move around, green, and full of life due to parks, public transport, universities, shops and food stands. Cleanliness is another factor that deserves attention as public trash cans are either lacking or trashed in some places.
The food tour proves that there is no need to spend a fortune in order to enjoy Seoul. From spicy tteokbokki and fish cakes to egg bread and tornado potato, street food is everywhere, allowing visitors to enjoy delicious meals and interact with locals.
