KMK: Sweets In Seoul

A Rundown Of The Best Desserts In The City

The Netflix series “Squid Game” took the world by storm, and not only did it shine the spotlight on Korean dramas and actors, but it also made western audiences aware about Korean sweets. In one of the episodes in season one, dalgona candy, a traditional honeycomb toffee made with sugar and a pinch of baking soda, was a key part of the plot. Soon after it aired, people all over the world attempted to make their own version of the Korean candy.

The seller hired to make the dalgona candy for the series has a stall right outside the Daehangno Art Theater in Seoul. But this isn’t the only dessert that’s worth checking out if you’re in the city. Korea has traditional and modern desserts that are not only delicious, but they’re also aesthetically appealing, which is why they often end up in social media feeds. If you’ve got a craving for sweets after eating unusual Korean dishes, here’s a rundown of the best desserts in Seoul.

Refreshing Bingsu

Several Asian countries have desserts that include shaved ice as a base ingredient. For instance, there’s halo-halo from the Philippines, kakigori from Japan, nam kang sai from Thailand, and bao bing from China. In Korea, there’s bingsu. To make it, ice or frozen cream or milk is shaved or grated until it has a consistency that’s similar to snow. Afterwards, it’s topped with condensed milk, sweet and unusual tropical fruits like sliced dragon fruit and lychees, berries, corn flakes, and chocolate, among other ingredients.  

Each region in Korea has their own take on this dessert, but if you want to taste the best bingsu in Seoul, you’re in luck. There are several places in the city where you can indulge in this refreshing dessert. There’s Miltop Bingsu inside the Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong which is famous for their milk bingsu and green tea bingsu. If you’re near Sinsa Station’s Exit 8, head on over to Dangok for their addictive strawberry bingsu. Meanwhile, vegans can enjoy vegan bingsu at Pan Honesta in Gangnam-gu– make sure to try their pistachio bingsu, which is made with oat milk and coconut sugar. 

Hot and Tasty Hotteok

If you love pastries or pancakes, then you’re gonna love hotteok. The locals can’t get enough of this treat, and even the members of BTS have posted pictures of themselves enjoying this traditional dessert. Hotteok is made by placing sugar and nuts inside a roll of dough, then it’s pressed flat so it resembles a pancake sandwich before it’s cooked on a griddle. It’s considered to be both a snack and a dessert, and you can find hotteok vendors everywhere in Seoul since it’s a popular street food, especially in winter. Take a walk in Myeongdong Night Market and you’ll surely find several hotteok stalls there. Other markets where you can find traditional hotteok include the Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu and Dongdaemun Market in Jung-gu.

32cm Ice Cream

Want a cheap, Instagrammable dessert? Then look no further than Myeongdong’s famous 32cm ice cream. While this treat is just regular soft serve ice cream in a cone, it’s the way it’s served that makes it such an in-demand dessert. The swirl ice cream is piped in such a way so that it’s triple the height of a regular ice cream cone. Flavors come in vanilla-choco, green tea, yogurt, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and mango, so take your pick. Apart from its impressive appearance and taste, one of the best things about this dessert is its price– for only 2,000 won, you get a satisfying treat that will cool you down on a hot summer day. 

Fish-Shaped Bungeo-ppang

Seoulites are known for their quirky yet yummy takes on ordinary food. Think sweet potato pizza or kimchi pizza, octopus chips, or sweet latte flavored fried chicken. On the street, you’ll also find stalls that sell fish-shaped pastries, but they don’t have fish or any type of seafood filling. This treat is called bungeo-ppang, which literally means carp-shaped bread. It’s traditionally filled with sweetened red bean paste and is enjoyed as a sweet snack or dessert. It’s grilled in a special appliance that features a fish-shaped mold that is quite similar to a waffle maker, and just like hotteok, it’s also popular in winter since it’s warming and filling on a chilly day. 

The bungeo-ppang has evolved beyond its traditional recipe and you can find ones filled with Nutella, custard, ham, or pastry cream if you prefer those to sweet red beans. You can also find an ice cream, honey, and Oreo-stuffed bungeo-ppang in Hongdae if you want something a little more cooling.  

Seoul is an amazing place for sweet treats. Try these sweets to find your favorite, and taste all the wonderful variations of these delicious desserts!