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13 Yummy Muslim-Friendly Street Food In Seoul You Must Try At Least Once

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Lisa Suherman •  Aug 08, 2023

If you clicked on this article, I bet you would have watched some Korean dramas and wondered what hotteok tastes like or whether odeng is really edible. Well, let me save you the hassle and introduce these Muslim-friendly street food! ? Note: None of these street food is halal-certified, but our author has made checks with the stall owners on the ingredients used. We recommend that you check with the stall owners if you have any questions and consume at your own discretion! [You can now read this article in Bahasa Indonesia here!]

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1. Waffles

I chanced upon this street snack while I was shopping in Dongdaemun Toy and Stationery Street. It was pretty cold at the time and the yummy smell of waffles was making my stomach rumble. The ahjussi who was selling the waffles could speak English and I asked him about the ingredients. When asked if he used any alcohol, he said, “Alcohol? No, no, no. I hate alcohol”. The best part is that the cream in between the yummy waffles comes in three different flavours – vanilla, chocolate and strawberry! I tried the strawberry flavour and it was super delicious!

Price: 1,000₩ per piece #HHWT Tip: Need to fuel up from all that exploring? Here are 11 Halal Korean Restaurants You Have to Visit in Korea!

2. Hotteok

Hotteok is a sweet and soft snack, filled with brown sugar and some nuts and cinnamon. It's a sweet alternative to the other savoury street snacks and especially yummy when you eat it piping hot during winter!

Credit: Republic of Korea on Flickr

Credit:pinoyfoodlovers on Instagram

Price: 2,000₩ per piece (Hotteok) and 3,000₩ for 2 pieces P.S Head over to the cafes that are so, Seoul cool for more tasty desserts to try!

3. Croissant Taiyaki

These taiyaki looked just like bunggeobbang – just that they are crispier and comes with more varieties of fillings! These are made using puff pastry sheets and the fillings were put in before they were baked. I tried the cheese and sweet potato ones and I really love them, especially the latter. Why? 'Cos the filling was very smooth and creamy and it makes you want to have more.

Price: 2,000₩ per piece (if I remember correctly)

Credit: lala.bakery on Instagram

4. Fried Banana

These fried banana pieces are equivalent to our goreng pisang. The only difference is that they were cut into smaller pieces and they were drizzled with some chocolate sauce and colourful sprinkles AND chopped almonds. Actually, you can choose the toppings you want (they’re FOC!) on your banana. So, don’t be shy and just do it! This is definitely a filling dessert!

Price: 2,000₩ per serving

P.S. Need some travel tips to get the most out of your trip? Check out our travel guides for Seoul!

5. Banana Crepe

This is not your normal crepe because… the size of the crepe was huge and it was generously filled with all the delicious goodies! It’ll definitely be a hit with kids and even adults 'cos who doesn’t love Nutella, right?

Price: 5,000₩ per piece

6. Twist Potato

This Potato Stick is actually just a potato that is cut and then spiralled on a long stick. It is then grilled and dipped into the sweet and salty cheese powder. This has got to be one of the best things I had in the cold weather – hot and crispy potato coated with yummy cheese powder. Just ask for more powder and the ahjussi will be more than happy to oblige! Price: 2,000₩ per stick

7. Roasted squid

The squids here are one of my favourite snacks – you can choose the packet of squids that you want and the vendor will grill it for you on the spot. Just remember that the squids are best eaten while they are still hot. Otherwise, you’ll feel like you’re chewing rubber!

Price: 5,000₩ per packet

8. Egg Bread aka Gyeran Bbang

This is a little different from your average gyeran bbang cos it’s loaded with almond, peanuts and sunflower seeds! If you think that the normal gyeran bbang is enough to make you feel full, you can consider this a meal packed with yummy goodness and high protein. You definitely need to try this at least once!

Credit: travel oriented on Flickr

Price: 2,000₩ per piece

9. Foot Long Ice Cream

Seoul's bustling with unique sweet treats, and this sky-high soft serve is definitely eye-catching ? Stroll along on a sunny day with a chocolate-flavoured cone, or pick from assorted flavours like vanilla, strawberry and green tea! If you can't make up your mind or wish to savour two flavours at once, why not get a killer duo that's sure to fire up your Instagram likes?

Credit: @ivyyee on Instagram

These are famous around Myeongdong, and stalls are usually open till late, which is the perfect call for supper time.

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10. DeliManjoo

If you're in Seoul during the cold late months of the year, a packet of tiny corn-shaped DeliManjo (mini cakes) will be the most satisfying snack ever. Baked fresh and served to you piping hot, the fragrance of these custard-filled Korean 'kaya balls' will hit you before the stalls are even in sight.

Credit: @hothu.foodaholic on Instagram

DeliManjoo stalls can usually be found in train stations, the most popular one being in Myeongdong station's underground shopping center (right at the gantry). The stall even has signs greeting customers in several languages and handwritten reviews by satisfied customers from all over the world.

Credit: @hothu.foodaholic on Instagram

11. (NEW!) Grilled cheese lobsters

Grilled seafood topped with cheese is one of the street foods that has popped up around South Korea lately, but the lobster version is definitely a savoury treat to take your snacking to the next level ?

Credit: @olha_chayo on Instagram

The lobsters are grilled simply, and then topped with cheese - some versions put the cheese on top of the lobster while it grills, melting it and leaving you super satisfied with every bite.

Credit: @nuttasuk on Instagram

These stalls usually sell only seafood (you might find grilled shellfish next to the lobster!), and there's at least one of them in every major street market. The smell of the lobsters as they cook is indescribably good, you've got to try this before you leave Seoul! ?

12. (NEW!) Pajeon (green onion pancake)

Korean pajeon is yet another staple you'll find in every single street market. Crunchy and full of flavour, the chewiness of the grilled flour batter is a great contrast against the thin strips of leek.

Credit: @ktocanada on Instagram

While pajeon is typically fried with vegetable oil, it can be a bit difficult to find Muslim-friendly pajeon, as these stalls usually sell other pancakes containing pork, chicken, and other meat leading to the potential of cross-contamination. Do remember to ask the stallowners about the ingredients before you buy a piece. If you're still craving pajeon you can head on over to Pajeon Street to try your luck there!

13. (NEW!) Pomegranate juice

There's nothing more refreshing than a cup of freshly-squeezed juice - and pomegranate happens to be the hottest flavour right now! You can find these in street markets across East Asia, but there's just something satisfying about sipping on this sweet-and-sour juice while you walk down Myeongdong ?

Credit: @olha_chayo on Instagram

The juice is freshly squeezed and juiced by the stallholders, and removes all the hassle of juicing it on your own and dealing with those pesky seeds ? Whether you're visiting in summer, winter, or any season year-round, it's the boost of energy you'll need to keep your spirits high! So, there you go – the list of Muslim-friendly street food in Seoul! These are mostly found in Myeongdong but these stalls can be found all over the city. Just remember to double check the ingredients before you purchase ? These street food are enough to fill you up and they can even replace a meal. If you have been wanting to try these and are planning a trip to Seoul soon, you know you’ve got to try them all!