When the weather turns cold in Korea, the streets fill up with warm snacks: steaming carts, little stalls on street corners, and convenience store counters with something hot by the till. For kids, this is one of the best parts of a Korean winter.
These are the winter snacks my kids reach for every year, plus one that’s become a craze lately.
Quick price guide
| Snack | Typical price | Spicy? |
|---|---|---|
| Eomuk (fish cake skewer) | ₩1,500–3,000 (~$1–2) per skewer, usually about ₩2,000 (~$1.40) | No |
| Hoppang (steamed bun) | ₩1,500–2,500 (~$1–2) | No |
| Bungeoppang (fish-shaped bread) | About ₩1,000 (~$0.70) each, often sold in sets | No |
| Tornado potato | ₩4,000–5,000 (~$3–4) | Usually no |
| Roasted chestnuts | About ₩5,000 (~$4) a bag | No |
| Roasted sweet potato | ₩3,000–5,000 (~$2–4) | No |
| Fruit chapssaltteok | ₩4,000–4,500 (~$3) each | No |
Prices vary by area and go up a little every year, so think of these as a rough guide. Touristy streets like Myeongdong are usually more expensive.
1. Eomuk (Fish Cake) Soup
Skewers of fish cake simmering in a big pot of broth, usually with chewy rice cakes (tteok) alongside. It’s mild, warm and easy to eat, so it’s often the first street food kids fall for.
At street stalls, you usually pay per skewer and help yourself to a paper cup of the hot broth. On a freezing day, that cup of broth is half the reason to stop.
2. Hoppang (Steamed Buns)
Soft, fluffy steamed buns, most often filled with sweet red bean, though there are savory versions too. In winter you’ll see them in a little steamer by the counter at convenience stores, so they’re the easiest snack on this list to find.
3. Bungeoppang (Fish-Shaped Bread)
A crispy, fish-shaped waffle filled with sweet red bean or custard cream. Kids love the shape as much as the taste. Look for small street carts with a row of fish-shaped molds. They pop up in winter and disappear by spring, which is why Koreans look forward to them every year.
This is the one I’d tell every visitor to try. On a freezing day, a hot bungeoppang is the quickest way to warm up for a minute on the street. In our neighborhood, kids grab one on the way home from their after-school academy and walk home blowing on it before each bite. That’s what winter looks like here.
Tip: bungeoppang carts move around and only appear in the cold months, so they can be hard to find. Look near subway exits, apartment complexes and markets in the late afternoon.
4. Hoeori Gamja (Tornado Potato)
A whole potato cut into one long spiral, stretched out on a stick and fried, then dusted with seasoning. It looks impressive, it’s fun to eat, and kids tend to finish every bit. You’ll find it at street food areas, markets and festivals.
5. Roasted Chestnuts and Sweet Potatoes
A classic winter street snack in Korea. Roasted chestnuts (gunbam) and roasted sweet potatoes (gungoguma) are sold from small stalls and carts, and they keep little hands warm while you walk. Simple, a little sweet, and not spicy at all.
Bonus: Fruit Chapssaltteok (the Current Craze)
Chapssaltteok, a soft, chewy glutinous rice cake, has been a favourite in Korea for a long time. The new twist is wrapping a whole piece of fruit inside it, like a strawberry or a grape. When you bite in, you get the chewy rice cake and the fresh fruit together.
Right now it’s popular with kids and adults alike, and at the well-known shops you’ll often have to queue to buy it. If you see a line outside a rice cake shop in Seoul, this is probably why.
One of the popular shops people queue for is Hanjungsun (韓貞仙). Its fruit rice cakes include fresh strawberry, gold kiwi, a whole mandarin, ripe persimmon and honey gold pineapple, mostly around ₩4,000–4,500 (~$3) each, plus limited-quantity specials like a fresh strawberry Dubai chocolate version.
For the Grown-Ups: Jeon (Korean Pancakes)
Jeon are savory Korean pancakes, and at markets you’ll see big ones the size of a pizza, made with green onion, seafood, kimchi or mung beans. A large one is usually ₩10,000–15,000 (~$7–11). Honestly, this one is more of a grown-up favorite than a kids’ snack. Koreans love jeon on a cold or rainy day with a beer or makgeolli (rice wine). Kids will happily share a few bites, but it’s the adults who order it.
Where to Find Winter Street Snacks in Seoul
You’ll see snack carts all over the city once it gets cold, especially near subway exits and in residential neighborhoods. For a bigger selection in one place, try Myeongdong street food stalls in the evening, Gwangjang Market and Namdaemun Market. Convenience stores sell hoppang and roasted sweet potatoes too, which is handy late at night.
Tips for Buying Street Snacks with Kids
- Carry a little cash. Many places take cards now, but small street carts don’t always.
- Most of these are mild. None of the snacks above are spicy, which makes them an easy first taste of Korean food for kids.
- Watch the heat. Fresh bungeoppang, hoppang and roasted sweet potatoes can be very hot inside. Let them cool for a minute before handing them over.
- Go in winter. Many of these stalls only appear in the cold months, roughly from late autumn to early spring.
More Food and Winter Ideas
For snacks you can grab any time of year, see our guide to Korean convenience store snacks kids love. If you’re in Korea for winter, don’t miss strawberry picking near Seoul or the Han River snow sledding parks.
FAQ
What is the most popular Korean winter street food?
Bungeoppang, the fish-shaped bread with red bean or custard, and hot eomuk (fish cake) skewers with broth. Both are everywhere from late autumn to early spring.
Are Korean winter street snacks spicy?
None of the snacks in this list are spicy, so they’re a safe first taste of Korean street food for kids. Tteokbokki is the spicy one to watch out for.
How much is bungeoppang?
Usually about ₩1,000 (~$0.70) each, and many carts sell them in sets of two or three.
Do street food carts take cards?
Many do now, but small carts don’t always, so carry a little cash.
👉 Planning a Seoul trip with kids? Start here: Seoul with Kids 2026: Best Things to Do & 3-Day Itinerary
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