When the temperature drops in Korea, a different street food scene appears: carts steaming fish-shaped pastries, griddles of sweet pancakes, drums of roasted sweet potatoes. Here’s what to eat in a Korean winter, what it costs, where to find it (carts are getting rarer), and how to pay.
Quick answer: The big three are bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastry, often 3 for ₩2,000), hotteok (sweet syrup pancake) and roasted sweet potatoes. Carts come back around early November. Many only take cash or bank transfer, so carry ₩1,000 bills. Can’t find a cart? Convenience stores sell winter snacks too.
The winter street foods to try
| Food | Korean | What it is | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bungeoppang | 붕어빵 | Fish-shaped waffle pastry with sweet red bean (or custard) | 3 for ₩2,000; ₩1,000–1,500 each in some places |
| Hotteok | 호떡 | Pan-fried dough filled with brown sugar syrup and nuts | ~₩1,500–2,500 |
| Gyeranppang | 계란빵 | Sweet bread with a whole egg baked on top | ~₩1,500–2,500 |
| Goguma (roasted sweet potato) | 군고구마 | Sweet potatoes roasted in a drum | ~₩3,000–5,000 a bag |
| Gunbam (roasted chestnuts) | 군밤 | Roasted chestnuts in a paper bag | ~₩3,000–5,000+ |
| Hoppang | 호빵 | Steamed bun with red bean, pizza or veggie filling | ~₩1,500–2,000 (convenience stores) |
| Eomuk (fish cake) | 어묵 | Fish cake skewers in hot broth | ~₩1,000–2,000 a skewer |
*Bungeoppang prices are from Nov–Dec 2025 Korean news; others are approximate and tend to be higher in tourist areas. Red bean prices rose sharply in 2025, which pushed bungeoppang prices up.
Where to find them
- Season: carts usually reappear in early November and stay until around February.
- Carts are disappearing: Seoul had about 22% fewer street stalls in 2024 than in 2020, so finding a bungeoppang cart is part of the fun.
- Use the app 가슴속3천원 (“3,000 won in my pocket”): a crowd-sourced map of about 3,000 snack carts. Check the recent-visit notes; listings go stale.
- Markets and tourist areas: Myeongdong, Namdaemun and Gwangjang Market (where bungeoppang can cost ₩1,500 each).
Paying at street carts
Many carts don’t take cards and instead post a bank account number for transfers, which tourists can’t easily use. Carry small cash. Some carts now accept QR payments, but don’t count on it.
The convenience store backup
Can’t find a cart? Korean convenience stores now sell winter snacks too. GS25 started its 2026 winter lineup on October 1 in about 5,000 stores, including Goraesa fish cakes from ₩1,000, bungeoppang (2+1), roasted eggs (1+1) and roasted sweet potatoes. See our convenience store food guide.
2026 trends
- Premium bungeoppang: matcha cream, chestnut cream, butter and croissant-dough versions.
- “Dubai” bungeoppang: kadaif and pistachio filling, around ₩12,000 at some Gangnam cafés.
- Frozen bungeoppang: bags of 11–12 for your air fryer are taking business from carts.
FAQ
When is bungeoppang season in Korea?
Roughly November to February, when the weather turns cold.
How much is bungeoppang in 2026?
Usually 3 for ₩2,000 at neighborhood carts, more in tourist areas and cafés.
More cheap eats: Myeongdong street food prices, Gwangjang Market and Seoul food prices 2026.
