Are you a fan of Korean food but find it difficult to get your hands on those mouth-watering street foods outside Korea? Well, don’t worry!
You can recreate these delicious Korean street food favorites right at home.
Plus, we’ll give it a little Indian twist because let’s face it, we Indians love our spices and bold flavors.
So, grab your apron and let's dive into these 5 easy-to-make Korean street food recipes!
1. Hotteok (Sweet Pancakes)
Hotteok is a Korean winter street food snack that will steal your heart. With a crispy exterior and a gooey, sweet filling, this dessert will give you all the cozy vibes. If you’ve ever had Indian-style stuffed parathas/gujiya, you’re going to love this!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (for filling)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- Handful of crushed peanuts or walnuts (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions:
- In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes to activate.
- Mix in flour and knead the dough until smooth. Let it rise for 1 hour.
- In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and crushed nuts for the filling.
- After the dough rises, punch it down and divide it into small balls.
- Flatten each dough ball, add the filling in the center, and seal the edges.
- Heat a little butter in a pan and cook each pancake on medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing lightly to ensure it cooks through.
- Serve hot, and don’t forget to let it cool for just a minute so you don’t burn your tongue on that sweet filling!
2. Odeng (Fish Cake Skewers)
Odeng (or Eomuk) is a popular Korean street food often served in a hot broth on skewers. It’s like India’s version of pakoras, but with fish!
So if you’re a fan of seafood or looking to add some variety to your street food cravings, give this one a go.
Ingredients:
- 200g fish cake (available in Asian supermarkets or can be made at home)
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (optional)
- Skewers
Instructions:
- Bring water to a boil and add soy sauce, sugar, and gochujang (for extra flavor). Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cut the fish cake into bite-sized pieces and skewer them onto wooden sticks.
- Drop the skewers into the broth and let them cook for about 5-10 minutes.
- Serve hot with the broth on the side, just like how it's done on the streets of Seoul.
Indian Twist: If you’re not into fish, you can use paneer cubes! Spice up the broth with some garam masala or curry powder for that familiar warmth.
3. Bungeoppang (Fish-Shaped Pastry)
You’ve probably seen these cute fish-shaped pastries on your Instagram feed, right? They’re filled with sweet red bean paste, and they’re crispy on the outside but soft and warm on the inside. The perfect dessert or snack!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Red bean paste (or Nutella for an easier twist!)
Instructions:
- Mix all the dry ingredients first, then add milk and egg to form a smooth batter.
- Heat your bungeoppang (fish-shaped waffle) pan and lightly grease it.
- Pour the batter into the molds, filling only half. Add a dollop of red bean paste in the center and cover with more batter.
- Close the pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Serve while still warm, and you’ll get that perfect crunchy texture.
Indian Twist: Swap the red bean paste with sweetened coconut or jaggery for an Indian-inspired filling. This will give it a nice desi touch!
4. Kimchi Jeon (Kimchi Pancakes)
Kimchi Jeon is like Korea’s version of an Indian-style savory pancake/Cheela.
The crispy, spicy layers of kimchi inside make it perfect for a snack or as an appetizer to impress your guests or yourself.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup kimchi, chopped
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- A pinch of salt
- A little vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients together into a smooth batter.
- Heat oil in a pan and pour a ladle of the batter into the pan. Flatten it into a pancake shape.
- Cook on medium heat until both sides are golden and crispy.
- Serve with a dipping sauce of soy sauce and sesame oil.
Indian Twist: Add a bit of chopped onion and green chilies to the batter. You’ll get a delicious mix of flavors that will make you forget you’re eating a pancake!
5. Korean Corn Dog (Cheese & Potato Corn Dog)
Korean Corn Dogs are next-level street food, way beyond the simple hot dog-and-batter combo. These are crispy, cheesy, and often rolled in fun coatings like diced potatoes or breadcrumbs. They’re the perfect snack for when you want something indulgent and super Instagrammable!
Ingredients:
- 2 mozzarella cheese sticks (cut into halves)
- 2 hot dogs (cut into halves)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal (or breadcrumbs)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup diced frozen fries (optional, for potato version)
- Oil for frying
- Ketchup and mustard (for serving)
Instructions:
- Skewer a piece of mozzarella and a piece of hot dog together on a wooden stick.
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, egg, and milk into a smooth, thick batter.
- Dip the skewers into the batter, making sure they’re fully coated.
- Roll them in breadcrumbs (or diced frozen fries if making the potato version).
- Heat oil in a pan and deep-fry until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve hot with ketchup, mustard, or even a sprinkle of sugar for that authentic Korean touch.
Indian Twist: If you don’t eat hot dogs, just go full cheese! Replace the hot dog with an extra chunk of paneer or mozzarella. For spice lovers, mix some red chili powder into the batter for extra heat.
And there you have it—5 easy-to-make Korean street foods with a bit of a desi twist!
These recipes are perfect for when you’re craving something fun, flavorful, and easy to make in your kitchen.
So next time you're in the mood for some street food but can’t make it to Korea, just whip up these dishes and enjoy the fusion of Korean and Indian flavors.
Whether you’re hosting a party or just snacking late at night, these will definitely hit the spot!
But Wait... What About Tteokbokki?
We know, no Korean street food list feels complete without Tteokbokki! This spicy, chewy, and absolutely addictive dish deserves its own spotlight. Luckily, we already have a full recipe for it! Check out our detailed step-by-step guide to making Tteokbokki here!