Best Korean snacks to buy for your friends and family
Everyone knows that Korea is the perfect destination to shop for snacks, but with so many options to choose from, buying gifts for your loved ones may be more challenging than it seems. Don’t sweat it, for we’ve narrowed down the best Korean snacks you should try the next time you’re in Korea. FYI, our list will introduce snacks that are not as commonly known as the popular honey butter chips. But not to worry, these snacks are readily available at most convenience stores and supermarkets in Korea!
1. Yakgwa
Image credit: @platems_
Yakgwa (~KRW3,000/~SGD3.10) is a deep-fried cookie made with a variety of ingredients, such as honey, ginger, sesame oil, and sugar syrup. The soft and cookie-like texture makes this snack extra delightful, and you get a good amount of sweetness with every bite. We highly recommend heating it up for a couple of minutes, then pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream—the hot and cold combination is to die for.Â
2. Homerun Ball
Image credit: @7_7hah
Known as one of the most popular snacks in Korea, Homerun Ball (~KRW1,600/~SGD1.65) is a classic that has been around for more than 40 years now. This snack features mini puff pastries with fillings in a variety of flavours such as Chocolate, Custard Cream, Tiramisu, and Milk. It’s so versatile that it can be eaten as a form of cereal submerged in milk, or air fry them for about three minutes for a crunchy yet airy texture—my personal favourite method.
3. Muktae Kkang
Image credit: @jin041900
Shrimp crackers is one of the many things Nongshim is known for, so it’s no surprise that the recent launch of Muktae Kkang (~KRW1,700/~SGD1.75) took social media platforms by storm. This addictive snack is a winning combination of prawn crackers tossed in a dried pollack seasoning and zhnged up with a chilli mayonnaise flavour. Many netizens have shared online that Muktae Kkang is a three-in-one snack as you get salty, spicy, and sweet all in a bite. It’s also said to be a good pairing with beer, which makes for a perfect midnight movie snack.
4. Baked Yellow Cheese RuskÂ
Image credit: @mundimunji
If you’re partial to cheese, the Baked Yellow Cheese Rusk (~KRW1,800/~SGD1.86) will surely float your boat. These little squares of toasted bread are fully covered in yellow cheese powder, which is said to taste similar to cheddar cheese. You can expect a crunchy texture and a touch of saltiness from the yellow cheese powder. Take note that this snack is only available at the Korean convenience store chain CU, which you can easily find in every corner of the country.Â
5. Milk TteokÂ
Image credit: @everthine__
Mochi fans will love Milk Tteok (~KRW1,800/~SGD1.86), which features two pieces of chewy glutinous rice cakes stuffed with bean paste, and coated in castella powder. This moreish snack comes in two other flavours, namely Strawberry and Chocolate, but the milk flavour is known to be the most popular among Korean patrons.
6. Goguma Kkang
Image credit: @tmtmtm_01
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year is Goguma Kkang (~KRW1,700/~SGD1.75), a crispy sweet potato-flavoured snack coated in sweet syrup and black sesame seeds. The sweetness from the syrup coating is tempered with the sweet potato flavour, and the black sesame seeds add a pleasant nuttiness to the overall taste. You can also find this snack in other flavours, including Corn, Potato, and Onion.
7. Below Cream CaneleÂ
Image credit: @hwa.ngaeng
Below Cream Canele (~KRW3,500/~SGD3.61) is the latest craze among Koreans as it was first introduced by a popular cafe brand, Below. What’s interesting about their canele is that it’s shaped like a mini donut, instead of the cylindrical shape we commonly see. You can get your hands on a variety of flavours, such as Hazelnut, Green Tea, Earl Grey, and Chocolate. Take note that this snack can only be found at GS25, AKA one of the giant convenience chain stores in the country.
8. Butter CoconutÂ
Image credit: @kkkiii777
A popular snack for people of all ages is Butter Coconut (~KRW1,700/~SGD1.75). This snack isn’t too heavy on flavours, and we surmise it will be to the liking of many Singaporeans as the coconutty flavour is prominent. If you want to take it a step further, you can make a sandwich using a slab of butter and two biscuits to create a rich and flavourful combination. Otherwise, we recommend dipping it in a cup of hot coffee!
9. French Pie
Image credit: @haitai_co
French Pie (~KRW3,700/~SGD3.82) has been around for more than 40 years thanks to the unceasing support of its patrons. This snack is well-loved for its crispy and buttery pie that pairs really well with the sweet strawberry jam. Besides strawberry, French Pie comes in other flavours such as Apple and Chocolate. We recommend having the French Pie with coffee or tea as they make a great pairing.Â
10. Crunky Crunch Chocolate
Image credit: @_.youngle
There’s nothing better than some chocolate when you’re in need of a sugar rush. Crunky Crunch Chocolate (~KRW2,000/~SGD2.06) is the ideal snack to bring around when you’re on the go. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the chocolates melting under Singapore’s unforgiving heat as the chocolate bits are stored in a container. The best part is that you’ll find bits of biscuits and peanuts within each piece, thereby elevating the crunchy texture of the candy!
Guide to the best Korean snacks
We hope this article comes in handy when you’re in a dilemma about the best Korean snacks to buy on your holiday. Save this list for the next time you’re in Seoul!
If you’re on the hunt for the best snacks in Singapore, find out the best Don Don Donki savoury snacks to buy. Alternatively, check out these healthy snack delivery services in Singapore that are tasty and wallet-friendly.Â
15 Best Savoury Don Don Donki Snacks To Get, Including Cheese Mochi And Choc-Potato Chips
Feature image adapted from @hwa.ngaeng, @haitai_co, @mundimunji, @platems_, @kkkiii777 and @jin041900
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