Eat Like KPop Demon Hunters in Seoul

Kpop Demon Hunters is a global phenomenon and it’s on everyone’s lips. It’s also become a great way for Korea to share and elaborate on clothes, places and food seen in the movie. And if you’ve watched Kpop Demon Hunters then you know that the girls are huge foodies, but are you?

screenshot of KPop Demon Hunters featuring the main characters and various Korean foods

I’ve rounded up a list of some of the K-foods I noticed in KPDH, along with some of our local recommendations on where to enjoy them on your next Korea trip. Let’s see how many of these Korean foods you recognized and how many you’ve tried. How big of a K-foodie are you?

Kimbap (김밥)

Kimbap is probably one of Korea’s simplest and most popular dishes. Traditionally it’s made by rolling seasoned rice and a mix of colorful ingredients, like eggs, spinach, carrots, pickled radish, and sometimes ham or imitation crab, in sheets of seaweed. Nowadays you can find all sorts of variations made with anything from bulgogi and deep fried shrimp to raw salmon and steak. It’s a beloved picnic food and a staple for school trips or on-the-go meals. There are even cooking classes you can take in Seoul (in English) so you can make it yourself at home.

Where to Get Kimbap in Seoul: Olbarun Kimbap (올바른김밥)
- 서울 마포구 연남동 227-5 (Naver Map)
- Seoul, Mapo-gu, Seongmisan-ro, 198 (Google Maps)

Cup Ramyeon (컵라면)

Cup ramyeon is Korea’s go-to comfort food in a cup. It’s quick, cheap, and wildly satisfying. Just open the lid, add hot water, and in a few minutes you’ve got a steaming serving of spicy, savory noodles. You’ll find endless varieties at Korean convenience stores, and it’s a particularly popular choice for a late night snack. In fact, ramyeon is so popular we have a whole library (Ramyun Library) dedicated to it where you can choose from 225 different types of ramen, add toppings and eat it all in one place.

Our ramen recommendations:
- Lexi’s Pick: Sesame Ramen (참깨라면)
- Mike’s Pick: Shin Ramen (신라면)
Where to Get Ramyeon in Seoul: Ramyeon Library
- 서울 마포구 잔다리로 25 (Naver Map)
- Seoul Mapo-gu Jandari-ro 25 (Google Maps)

Korean Hotdog (핫도그)

Whether you call them Korean hotdogs or corndogs, these are pretty much a staple of Korean culture and an incredibly popular street food. But what sets them apart from western style dogs is the rice flour batter, giving them a crunchy and chewy texture rather that a bready one. There are tons of variations that include diced potatoes, crushed ramen bits, or breadcrumbs. Inside, you’ll often find sausage, mozzarella cheese, or both. After frying, they’re sometimes dusted with sugar and drizzled with ketchup or mustard for that perfect sweet-and-savory combo.

Where to Get Korean Hotdogs in Seoul: Myungrang Hotdog (명랑핫도그)
- 서울 종로구 종로3가 108 (Naver Map)
- 112 Jong-ro, 종로1.2.3.4가동 Jongno District, Seoul (Google Maps)

Eomuk / Odeng (어묵 / 오뎅)

Eomuk, also known as odeng, is Korean fish cake made from ground fish mixed with flour and seasoning, shaped and cooked in various ways. You’ll most often see it skewered and soaking in warm broth at street stalls—especially in the colder months. Vendors hand you the skewer and a paper cup of the savory broth to sip on. It’s typically enjoyed alongside other iconic favorites like tteokbokki and sundae, but it tastes perfectly fine on its own.

Where to get Eomuk in Seoul: Hongdae Sak (홍대삭)
- 서울 서대문구 연희동 188-5 (Naver Map)
- 89 Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Google Map)

Pepero (빼빼로)

Pepero is a sweet, stick-shaped biscuit dipped in chocolate and sometimes topped with things like almonds, cookies or candy. It’s sold in snack sized boxes at markets and convenience stores, comes in a variety of flavors and is a pretty popular snack among locals and tourists alike. In fact, it’s so popular that it even has it’s own day, Pepero Day (November 11), which looks like 11/11—two sticks! Friends, couples, and even coworkers give each other boxes of Pepero, making it a fun (albeit very commercial) expression of affection.

Our recommendations:
- Lexi’s Pick: White Cookie Pepero
- Mike’s Pick: Chocolate Almond Pepero

Seolleongtang (설렁탕)

Seolleongtang is traditionally slow-cooked over the course of a few hours in huge tubs on low-heat. The broth ends up looking like a milky, off-white color with a deep and rich flavor. Traditionally, the broth is served in burning hot stone bowls with noodles, thin slices of beef and chopped green onions. It’s typically served with a side of rice, crunchy kimchi and sweetened radish kimchi. It’s loved for its subtle yet rich flavor makes it the ideal go-to for cold days, hangovers, or when you just need something nourishing.

Where to Eat Seolleongtang in Seoul: Oegojip Seolleongtang (외고집설렁탕)
- 서울 강남구 삼성동 120-8 (Naver Map)
- 555 Samseong-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul (Google Maps)

Sundae (순대)

Sundae is Korea’s take on blood sausage and is more approachable than it sounds. It’s typically made by stuffing pig’s intestines with a mix of glass noodles, rice, and pig’s blood, then steamed and sliced into bite-sized rounds. It’s usually served with a salty seasoning mix, a spicy dipping sauce, or paired with liver and lung slices for those who are feeling bold. You’ll find it at markets and street stalls, often next to spicy tteokbokki for the perfect snack combo.

screenshot of KPop Demon Hunters featuring various Korean foods

Where to Eat Sundae in Seoul: Hongdae Sak (홍대삭)
- 서울 서대문구 연희동 188-5 (Naver Map)
- 89 Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Google Map)

Naengmyeon (냉면)

Naengmyeon is a super refreshing dish of cold, chewy noodles that’s especially popular in the summer. The noodles are made from buckwheat or sweet potato starch, giving them a unique texture. They’re served either in a chilled tangy beef broth (mul naengmyeon) or in a spicy, vinegary sauce (bibim naengmyeon), often with slices of cucumber, Korean pear, boiled egg, and cold beef. Some people even add vinegar or mustard to amp up the flavor. It’s weirdly addictive—and perfect after a round of Korean BBQ.

Where to Eat Naengmyeon in Seoul: 2 Billion Pork Rind (이억만 껍데기)
- 서울 마포구 연남동 229-59 (Naver Map)
- 255 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Google Maps)

Hotteok (호떡)

Hotteok is a warm, crispy pancake traditionally filled with melted brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts. Cooked on a griddle and slightly flattened with a special press, the outside is golden and crunchy while the inside is sweet and gooey. You can find classic versions, or trendy variations filled with anything from pizza to nutella. While they’re most popular during the cooler seasons, you can find them in shops and at outdoor vendors in Korea year-round.