Tasty Korean Treats Perfect for Winter

Tasty Korean Treats Perfect for Winter

treet food, eomuk

With the arrival of winter’s cold bite comes a variety of Korean winter foods. Savory and sweet winter street foods like bungeoppang (carp-shaped bun), hotteok  (sugar-filled griddle cake), baked sweet potatoes, and hoppang (steamed bun), just to name a few, are street foods that will warm your hands and hearts. Try these treats, only available in Korea, for a unique Korea experience!

鱼形面包 / 菊花面包 / 鸡蛋面包

鱼形面包是形状像鱼一样的面包，里面放入了甜红豆，是冬季的小吃。除了甜红豆以外，还可以放入奶油、奶酪等。菊花面包的味道以及制作方法也与鱼形面包相似，不同之处在于它是放在菊花形状的模子里烤熟的。鸡蛋面包是在椭圆形的模子里倒入和好的面，然后放入鸡蛋烤熟的薄饼。

Bungeoppang

Stall selling bungeoppang (left) / Bungeoppang (right)

It's easy to find food carts selling bungeoppang on street corners during the cold winter months. Bungeoppang is made by pouring flour dough into the bungeo (carp)-shaped black cast iron mold and filling it with red bean paste. For many Koreans, the sight of freshly baked bungeoppang and its sweet aroma wafting through the air is a signal that winter has truly arrived. Bungeoppang comes in a variety of shapes and flavors, such as ingeoppang (mini-bungeoppang) and bungeoppang filled with choux cream. Prices vary by region, but 3 to 5 bungeoppang usually sell for 2,000 won.

Hoppang (Jjinbang)

Jjinbang steaming in an iron hotpot (left) / Hoppang (right)

Hoppang is a typical Korean winter treat usually warmed in a steamer or microwave before being eaten. Hoppang itself is a take-home version of jjinppang, a stuffed bread sold at snack restaurants in Korea. Both jjinbang and hoppang come in a variety of fillings, including the traditional red bean paste, as well as vegetables, and even pizza! Hoppang derives its name from the Korean onomatopoeia “ho ho” for blowing on hot food and also from the sound of laughter that comes from a family happily eating hoppang together. One bun costs around 1,000 to 2,000 won. This tasty snack can be purchased at nearly any convenience store, small independent grocery store, or neighborhood market.