As the year noticeably gets colder, the first thought that comes to my mind is how I will warm myself up. Luckily, the streets of Korea are always prepared for the cold weather, setting up snack stands that will lure everyone with a smell. Around every corner, there are “붕어빵 stands” and “떡볶이 trucks” as if there was an unspoken promise that guarantees a stop to your steps. My top five korean winter snacks may look generic but classic for a reason.
1. 붕어빵 (bungeoppang)
붕어빵 simply cannot be removed from the top rankings of winter snack. Its sweet filling and fluffy outer bread blends perfectly together, slowly warming your stomach with sweetness. Ongoing debates for decades about whether red beans or custard fillings are better – or whether you should eat the head or tails first – speak for themselves. Only a beloved snack by the people spark these arguments.
My personal pick is an uncommon flavor: cheese. The cheese flavored 붕어빵 adds an extra layer of entertainment, as the mozzarella stretches out from the bread as you take a bite. Even with the less sweet flavor, the chewy texture makes up for it.
