Snacks & Instant Meals

Korean snacks hold an important place in everyday life in South Korea. You find them in convenience stores, at the office, at home or alongside a beer with friends. At Korea Store, we select products we know well, from the major Korean brands and a few partner producers such as Gimsiwol.

What is a Korean snack?

In South Korea, the term gwaja (과자) refers to all snack foods, whether savory or sweet. Korean snacks are part of everyday life and can be found in convenience stores (pyeonuijeom), supermarkets and vending machines alike. While some have become popular internationally thanks to the Korean cultural wave, Koreans have been eating them for a long time, at any time of day. Behind the expression “Korean snack” lies a wide variety of products, from chips and biscuits to roasted seaweed, crackers, confectionery and instant meals. This variety lets everyone discover flavors and textures characteristic of Korean cuisine.

The main families of Korean snacks

Korean snacks fall into three main families, each meeting a different craving.

Savory and aperitif snacks are the best known. They include Korean chips, such as shrimp chips from Nongshim, Onion Rings, sweet potato snacks, Haitai tteok chips and HBAF almonds, available in several flavors such as wasabi, spicy chicken or garlic bread. In Korea, some of these products are eaten as anju, meaning small bites served with a beer or soju.

The second family brings together rice snacks and roasted seaweed. Sheets of gim from Bibigo and Gimsiwol are enjoyed on their own or with a meal. Rice crackers and other rice snacks win people over with their light, crispy texture.

Finally, instant meals let you prepare a meal in just a few minutes. Ramyeon, instant topokki and other ready-to-cook dishes round out this selection for anyone looking for a quick solution without giving up the flavors of Korean cuisine.

When and how to enjoy them

Korean snacks suit many occasions. For an aperitif, shrimp chips, HBAF almonds or Onion Rings are easy to share with friends. A K-drama night is often the perfect excuse to open a bag of chips or cook a ramyeon in a few minutes. Roasted seaweed in single sachets of 4 g is better suited to individual snacking or to accompany a meal, while the 3 × 5 g packs are better for sharing. Finally, instant meals make a more filling snack or a quick meal when you are short on time. Choosing the right format helps you avoid unpleasant surprises when your order arrives.

How do you choose Korean snacks when you are just starting out?

If you are discovering Korean snacks, start by varying textures and flavors rather than only choosing the best-known products. Roasted seaweed or rice crackers are a good way in, with an accessible taste and a small format. If you like more original flavors, HBAF almonds come in several recipes, from garlic bread to wasabi. On the other hand, if you are sensitive to heat, watch out for certain spicy products, such as Haitai tteok chips or spicy chicken almonds, whose level of heat is very real. To get started on a small budget, it is often best to put together an assortment of several inexpensive products to discover different styles of snacks before finding your favorites.

Our selection at Korea Store

Our selection of Korean snacks brings together products we have chosen for their quality, their consistency and the pleasure they bring every day. You will find must-haves such as Bibigo and Gimsiwol roasted seaweed, Nongshim shrimp chips, HBAF almonds and Haitai tteok chips. If you would like to complete your order with other everyday ingredients, also discover our Korean savory grocery.

To discover several products in a single order, the Korean Anti-Waste Snacking Box is the most suitable option. Its contents vary depending on availability and best-before dates, which makes it possible to offer around €30 worth of products for €20, while helping to reduce food waste. For a first low-cost discovery, seaweed sachets from €1.50 are also an excellent starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular Korean snacks?

The most popular Korean snacks are the ones you find both in convenience stores in Korea and on Korea Store. The must-haves include Nongshim shrimp chips and Onion Rings, Bibigo and Gimsiwol roasted seaweed, HBAF almonds, as well as Shin and Buldak ramyeon. This selection lets you discover different flavors and textures, from savory crunch to spicier recipes, with products we actually sell.

Are all Korean snacks spicy?

No, and that is a common misconception. Many Korean snacks are not spicy, such as roasted seaweed, rice crackers, sweet potato snacks or garlic bread HBAF almonds. On the other hand, some products, such as Haitai tteok chips, spicy chicken almonds or Buldak ramyeon, have a much more pronounced level of heat. So you can easily choose products that suit your preferences.

What is the difference between Korean snacks and Japanese snacks?

Korean snacks often stand out for a bolder sweet-and-savory profile, frequent use of chili and puffed or very crunchy textures. Japanese snacks generally offer different flavor profiles, often more subtle or centered on umami. This is not a ranking between two cuisines, but two approaches to snacking, each with its own specialties.

Where can you buy Korean snacks in France?

You can buy Korean snacks directly from Korea Store, with a selection of chips, roasted seaweed, HBAF almonds, ramyeon and instant meals available online. Orders are shipped throughout metropolitan France, with free delivery from €70 and reduced delivery from €35. You get products that are actually available, without going through general retailers.

How should Korean snacks be stored?

All the Korean snacks sold on Korea Store keep at room temperature. No fresh products are shipped and no cold chain is needed. Once opened, bags of roasted seaweed and chips tend to lose their crunch, so it is best to eat them quickly or to reseal the packaging properly to preserve their texture.