Food is a fundamental core of Korean culture and daily life, deeply rooted in community, bonding and history. Asking someone, "Did you eat?", is a common greeting among people, reflecting a cultural focus on social connection and food. Korean traditional markets are vibrant, bustling hubs featuring local stalls selling fresh produce, street food and other goods. It’s a great way to experience the lively downtown atmosphere, interact with local vendors and try some delicious food!
Korean street food has a large variety of options, so it can be hard to choose what to try at the market! I tried some hotteok, which is a sweet, chewy pancake stuffed with brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Hotteok is a popular street food snack in the wintertime, since it is warm and sweet. I also had to try some tteokbokki from one of the food stalls because of the amazing smell that wafted through the air as I walked by. It’s a chewy rice cake dish covered in a spicy, slightly sweet sauce. Both of these foods were delicious!
