Have you ever wondered which nostalgic Korean snacks to try? Let me show you my favorite Korean snacks from growing up here in Korea.
How I Discovered These Nostalgic Korean Snacks to Try
Born and raised here in South Korea, I grew up exposed to a lot of different kinds of sweets and snacks – some traditional and some modern. In my free time, one of the things I like to do is go to the grocery stores or convenience stores to see what new kinds of snacks are out.
And though, I like trying new things, I wanted to share with you my top seven sweets and snacks I always return to, even after trying the new stuff. Thankfully, all of these nostalgic Korean snacks are readily available in most Korean supermarkets!
Matdongsan 맛동산
This crunchy peanut-y goodness is not only a favorite of mine but a favorite of older folks like my mother. Growing up, I wasn’t so enamored by them, but I find myself craving this fried, crunchy Korean dough covered in syrup and peanuts as I get older. Comfort snacks at their best!
Saekomdalkom 새콤달콤
These are the Korean candies I grew up with before HiChews and MyChews came into the picture. The name of this candy literally means sweet and sour, and they are indeed that. These soft and chewy candies are something I try to share with friends overseas. I sent some to my best friend once, and she squealed in delight because she and I both grew up on these. These are definitely nostalgic for us!
Bboddo 뽀또
These cheese sandwich crackers (or, as the box says, “cheese tarte”) are not something I enjoyed much as a kid, but rather a snack I have grown to appreciate recently. Tastes definitely change over the years. This particular snack is just addicting. The crackers are flakier than the US ones I have tried, and the “cheese” filling tastes better, too. When I ate one for the first time in like two decades, all I could think was, “Why did I ignore these all these years?!”
Potato Chip 포테토칩
We all need some chip/crisps in our lives that just hit the spot, and this brand does it for me. Its texture is very similar to Lays, but it’s less salty and has more of an umami flavor that I like a lot. Seriously, these chips have never let me down, and I have tried plenty of potato chips snacks in Korea.
Dakdali Nugget 닭다리 너겟
The original Dakdali snack came out in the shape of chicken drumsticks, which is what dakdali means – chicken drumsticks. However, I prefer these nuggets version because it’s bigger, so it has more flavor! Anyway, this version is the fried chicken flavor, and it’s good. It doesn’t quite taste like fried chicken, but it is seasoned in a way that just goes well with these chips. If anything, get the ones that are shaped like chicken drumsticks, and they will make interesting snack gifts!
Ojingeo Ddangkong 오징어 땅콩
Much like the aforementioned Matdongsan, this squid-flavored peanut snack is another I grew up with and love even until current times. It doesn’t sound like a tasty combination, but squid and peanuts really do go well together. Not only is it crunchy and delicious, but this makes for good beer or other alcohol snacks!
Jayusigan 자유시간
Last but not least, this is my favorite Korean candy bar that I grew up loving. Its name means “free time” in Korean, and I have no clue why. What I do know is that it’s a good candy bar. It’s a nougat bar with peanuts – kind of like a Snickers bar, but less sweet. It’s good for those wanting something sweet, but not something overly sweet.
I hope you will give these nostalgic Korean snacks a try next time when you are in the store. What I like, you may not like, but it can be fun to try new things! I’m always excited to try new Korean snacks, but these seven will always stay with me as the others come and go.
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Tara Popp holds a Master of Arts degree in Youth Development with an emphasis on youth and technology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in Romantic and Modern literature and poetry. Ms. Popp was born and raised in Seoul for 30+ years as a Korean-American living around military and civilian communities. She moved down to Pyeongtaek officially in 2018. Though she misses the big city life in Seoul, she has grown to love the Pyeongtaek area and country living.
