1.Bunggeo-ppang

Bunggeo-ppang(붕어빵) is one of Korea’s most beloved winter street snacks. Shaped like a fish, this crispy golden pastry is traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste which still remains the most classic flavor. But many creative variations have recently emerged including custard cream, pizza, sweet potato, and even chocolate.

Bunggeo-ppang Near Me

Despite its popularity, finding freshly made bunggeo-ppang on the street is becoming increasingly difficult. Many vendors have disappeared, making way for pre-packaged versions sold in convenience stores and supermarkets.

This has led to the rise of the term “붕세권”(bungsegwon),a fun Korean slang combining 붕어빵(bunggeo-ppang) and 역세권(yeoksekwon, a term referring to areas near subway stations known for convenience). 붕세권(bungsegwon) describes the lucky neighborhoods where there are bunggeo-ppang stalls on the street. So if you’re lucky enough to stumble upon a bunggeo-ppang stall, don’t hesitate—grab a few and make sure to eat them while they’re hot!

Bunggeo-ppang Cafe Near Gwanghwamun

I recently got my bunggeo-ppang at Café Trouble, located near the Gwanghwamun area. Strictly speaking it wasn’t a traditional street stall but I was still thankful to find freshly baked bunggeo-ppang in Seoul’s most central business district. They offered 4 unique flavors—apple cinnamon, pizza, custard, and red bean and were sold at KRW 3,000 for four bunggeos, making it an affordable treat.

Bunggeo-ppang Map on Karrot

If you’re on the hunt for freshly made bunggeo-ppang but don’t know where to find a stall near you, there’s a handy digital solution! Many Koreans now use apps to track down bunggeo-ppang vendors in real-time. One of the most popular ways is through Karrot(당근마켓), most widely-used second-hand marketplace app in Korea. In this app’s “Explore” (동네지도) menu, you can select the fish icon to locate the nearest stalls selling bunggeo-ppang. This feature has been a game-changer especially as street vendors become harder to find.

2.Hotteok

Hotteok(호떡) is another popular winter street snack in Korea, much like bunggeo-ppang. It’s a chewy and crispy stuffed pancake typically filled with a delicious mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and crushed nuts. When cooked on a griddle, the sugar filling melts into a warm syrup, making it extra sweet especially on a chilly winter day.

Hotteok Near Me

Just like bunggeo-ppang, finding a good hotteok stall in central Seoul has become more challenging in recent years. One way to get your hotteok is by looking for “Seoul Hotteok” (서울호떡), a franchise specializing in freshly made hotteok.

They have multiple locations across Seoul, making it easier to find a reliable spot for this beloved snack. This week I visited the Ahyeon branch and got the perfect hotteok for my late-night snack. The crispy outer layer combined with the warm cinnamon filling was exactly what I needed on a cold evening.

3.Korean Sweet Potatoes

Korean sweet potatoes(군고구마 pronounced gungoguma) may look like a simple baked sweet potato but when cooked the traditional way—in a drum oven —it transforms into something truly special. These rustic metal ovens roast the sweet potatoes over charcoal or an open flame, creating a deep caramelized sweetness with a slightly smoky aroma.

A proper gungoguma will have a crispy golden-brown skin that covers the soft and almost honey-like flesh inside. Unlike Western sweet potatoes which tend to be softer, Korean sweet potatoes have a firmer and drier texture. During the winter months, vendors selling piping hot gungoguma on the street fill the air with their sweetest roasted scent.

GS25 Korean Sweet Potatoes

These days the easiest way to get your hands on a gungoguma is by visiting a GS25 convenience store! Many GS25 locations now sell freshly roasted sweet potatoes, making it super convenient to enjoy this classic winter snack without having to hunt down a street vendor.

If you want to check where you can find them, simply download the GS25 app or visit their website for the store locater menu. There, you can select the sweet potato icon to view the nearest GS25 stores that sell roasted sweet potatoes. While the GS25 roasted sweet potatoes may not be the ones baked in a traditional drum oven, they’re still a great alternative especially for those craving fresh 군고구마 in the city.

Tips for More Authentic Korean Sweet Potatoes

For those who are looking for the traditional drum oven-baked gungoguma, I recommend checking out local fruit shops and grocery stores. While it’s not a guarantee, I’ve noticed that many of these places set up sweet potato ovens during the winter season. The scent of roasted sweet potatoes often fills the entrance of these stores, making them easy to spot.

Unlike convenience store versions, these are typically roasted the old-fashioned way, giving them that signature crispy skin and caramelized sweetness. If you’re lucky, you might even find a store that sells them straight from a charcoal-roasted drum oven, delivering the most authentic gungoguma experience!