The World Of Korean Snacks | Oldest & Fattiest Snacks
Classic Korean Snacks That Have Been Around For Decades! How About Snacks Listed By Calorie Counts? Welcome To The World Of Korean Snacks!
Eating is an important part of traveling in Korea, and there are so many wonderful flavors to discover!
Today we are taking a look at Korean snacks, both traditional and more recent ones. How many on the list have you tried? Hopefully you’ll find some new favorites!
Classic Korean Snacks
First we take a look at classic and beloved Korean snacks, ranking them by their longevity. Number 1 on our list is no less than 75 years old!
#10 Home Run Ball - 홈런볼
39 years since release
Haitai’s Home Run Ball first entered the snack field in 1981 – dare we say it was an instant home run?
Recent years they have released several flavors to try out beside the original chocolate filling.
A commercial from the year of release tells us that the original price was a mere 300 won!
#9 Butter Coconut - 빠다코코낫
41 years since release
Lotte started selling Butter Coconut in 1979. Apparently Haitai also started producing an identical biscuit in 1984!
It seems like they were so popular at the time that other companies also started selling similar biscuits (only the original Lotte one is left today).
Recently the famous character Pengsoo named Butter Coconut as one of his favorite snacks, and the biscuit has attracted a lot of attention since.
#8 Cuttlefish Peanut Ball - 오징어땅콩
44 years since release
This cuttlefish flavored peanut ball is made by Orion, and it is a perfect snack to enjoy with a glass of beer.
To this day you’ll find this in any supermarket or convenience store!
#7 Matdongsan – 맛동산
45 years since release
Haitai’s Matdongsan is a snack that was popular when today’s middle-aged Koreans grew up.
It’s crunchy and sweet and you’ll find your fingers keep going for more!
#6 Choco Pie – 초코파이
46 years since release
Many snack companies in Korea have their own version of Choco Pie, but the original is the ”Jeong” (情) Choco Pie from Orion. Apparently it is popular in North Korea too!
Soldiers in the Korean army used to receive this Choco Pie at times, upon which they would cry out of gratitude. Because of this, it is also called the Choco Pie of Tears.
Nowadays you’ll find many different flavors. Especially the banana flavor is a modern classic!
#5 Jjangu – 짱구
47 years since release
On Samyang’s Jjangu snack, you’ll find ”Since 1973” written on the bag.
The main character of the Japanese manga Crayon Shin-chan is called Jjangu in Korean, but the two are said to be unrelated!
#4 Jolly Pong – 죠리퐁
48 years since release
Crown’s Jolly Pong! Recently you’ll find this ever-popular snack as a topping on fancy creations in cafes.
Actually it was promoted as a breakfast cereal when it first came out.
It’s got many fans, and some are said to substitute not only breakfast but also lunch and dinner for Jolly Pongs.
#3 Shrimp Crackers – 새우깡
49 years since release
In place number 3 we find Nongshim’s Shrimp Crackers!
Popular artist Rain made a song called Gang (깡) in 2017, the same Hangul as the last character in Shrimp Crackers (새우깡!). That’s why you often find Rain smiling at you from the package (impress your Korea friends with this piece of information!)
It’s one of those snacks you can’t get enough of!
#2 Crown Sando – 크라운산도
64 years since release
Crown first started selling their Sando in 1956.
“Sando” (산도) is likely short for ”sandwich”. Nowadays Koreans rather transcribe it as ”saendeu” (샌드). Sando is the older transcription and the one that’s used in Japan, so the fact that it’s written as Sando tells of its longevity.
And there are many different flavors – let's go find our own favorite Sando!
#1 Yeonyanggaeng - 연양갱
75 years since release
This walnut jelly was first released by Haitai in 1945, and it is still popular among all generations of Koreans. You’ll even find it as an ice cream and a caramel!
Many Koreans grew up with this sweet flavored jelly and its walnut color. Haven’t tried it yet? You should be able to find it in the supermarkets!
Korean Snacks Ranked After Calories
Like any snack, Korean snacks often come with many calories. We have ranked some of the most energy-packed ones.
Counting calories? This is the ranking for you!
#9 Diget
500kcal/100g
Quite a heavy biscuit, a couple of these and you’ll be full. It’s really good though!
#8 Peanut Caramel – 카라멜콘땅콩
518kcal/100g
Another snack that you can’t stop eating once you open the bag!
#7 Ace - 에이스
520kcal/100g
Actually I thought that this would take the number 1 spot. Very buttery!
#6 Pringles
530kcal/100g
Maybe not exactly a Korean snack, but it is very popular in the country. And packed with calories!
#5 Butter Ring - 버터링
552kcal/100g
Many Koreans will open the box and cover the cookies, still in its plastic container, with milk and chocolate before ingesting. Because why not? (Well, you’ll get some extra calories…)
#4 Lotte Rice Snacks - 쌀로별
567kcal/100g
Rice crackers! Why the high calory count? Well, rice has a lot of calories.
#3 Swing Chips - 스윙칩
572kcal/100g
All Swing Chips have a high calorie count, but the number one seems to be Soy Sauce Chicken flavor! Another one to watch out for…
#2 Home Run Ball
586kcal/100g
Didn’t think we’d see this classic this high on the list.
It’s sure packed with calories.
#1 Cheetos
600kcal/100g
A favorite among kids – Cheetos is a calorie bomb. Better not allow any snacking before dinner!
Korean Snacks You Must Try
Here are some of our personal favorites. We hope you’ll enjoy them too!
Mon Cher - 몽쉘
*The one in the picture is the mini version
The classic Choco Pie is great too, but Mon Cher might top it with its superb creaminess. Just let it melt in your mouth!
It feels much more luxurious than its price. There’s a summer version of the cake too which you put in your freezer to enjoy like an ice cream!
Chicken Pop - 치킨팝
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Chicken Pop disappeared from the shelves for a while, only to make a comeback about a year ago.
The original flavor is slightly spicy in is wonderfulness, but we also recommend the cheese sprinkled chicken flavor – you gotta try it!
It really feels like you’re eating cheese sprinkled fried chicken. Gimme more!
Gamja-sok-gamja - 감자속감자
The name means potato-in-potato – potato in two layers!
At first it was only sold in convenience stores, but after getting hugely popular you can now find it in super markets too!
The taste is similar to many other potato-based snacks, but the second crunch after you bite into it is a killer!
Corn Cho - 콘초
Like you might have guessed by its name, it’s a corn snack covered with chocolate. Sounds weird? It’s a great combo!
Bbasae - 빠새
Bbasae is a shrimp-flavored crunchy favorite of ours!
If you like shrimps you’ll find yourself finishing one of these in no time!
Turtle Chips - 꼬북칩
Another snacks with several layers, giving it a superb crunchy sensation!
Among the flavors the injeolmi (rice cake with bean flour) flavor is our top recommendation!
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