Seoul Food: When you hear about Korean food, images of barbecue, kimchi, army stew, fried chicken and beer immediately come to mind... But if you go to Korea and only eat these, you'll definitely feel regretful, because Korea has many other street food stalls hidden in various markets and corners, which are local favorites!
Seoul's Gwangjang Market has so many delicious foods! I highly recommend the raw beef tartare, mung bean pancakes, and kimbap with numbing cream!
Xintangdong Spicy Rice Cake Food Street
The original spicy rice cake (tteokbokki) in Seoul is undoubtedly the spicy rice cake street in Sindang-dong. The original spicy rice cake shop was opened in Sindang-dong in 1953 by Grandma Ma Bok-rim (transliteration), making the Sindang-dong spicy rice cake street a 60-year-old establishment! Located about one subway stop from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, the street is next to what used to be Dongdaemun Stadium. In the 1970s and 80s, high school baseball games were frequently held there, attracting large crowds. By the late 1970s, it had already developed into a food street of the same size as it is today!
Food map: (A is Ma Fulin Spicy Rice Cake Shop)
Wuzhuangdong Xianxing Cold Noodles Food Street
Hamhung cold noodles originated in Hamhung, Hamgyong Province, North Korea. The noodles in Hamgyong Province were originally made with potato starch and served with chili paste and raw stingray slices. After the Korean War, many North Koreans migrated to South Korea, and Hamhung cold noodles took root there as well. Later, the noodles were made with sweet potato starch instead of potato starch. In the cold, high-altitude region, the spicy cold noodles help ward off the cold and also represent the indomitable spirit of the people of Hamgyong Province.
Braised ribbonfish and knife-cut noodles at Namdaemun
Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea, boasting a history of 600 years. It's most famous for its braised ribbonfish street and knife-cut noodle street. If you ask any Namdaemun vendors for recommendations on local food, they'll all tell you about these two streets. Even casual visitors are often drawn in by the delicious food and become regulars. The truly exceptional flavors and warm service have made these two streets a renowned food destination.
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