As the weather turns chilly and the days get shorter, Korea begins to feel extra cozy. Streets fill with warm food carts, cafés switch to seasonal menus, and it’s officially that time of year when warm food feels like a hug.
And if you’ve ever watched a K-drama on a cold day, you’ve probably wished you could try the same comforting dishes the characters eat on screen. So in today’s mini-guide, we’re bringing you a list of six Korean foods that are perfect for cold weather. They’re simple, delicious, and easy to remember if you ever visit Korea or try them at home.
So let’s get winter-ready — in both vocabulary and appetite!
1. 호떡 (ho-tteok) – Korean Sweet Pancake
Nothing says Korean winter like grabbing a hot, chewy 호떡 (ho-tteok) from a street stall. It’s filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts that melt into syrup when cooked.
You’ll find versions like 녹차 호떡 (nok-cha ho-tteok), or green tea pancake, 씨앗 호떡 (ssi-at ho-tteok), or seeds pancake, and even 치즈 호떡 (chi-jeu ho-tteok), or cheese pancake. Perfect for warming your hands while walking outside.
Useful Vocabulary
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달콤하다 (dal-kom-ha-da) – to be sweet
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따끈하다 (tta-kkeun-ha-da) – to be nicely warm
Example
호떡 진짜 달콤하고 따끈해요.
(ho-tteok jin-jja dal-kom-ha-go tta-kkeun-hae-yo)
→ Hotteok is really sweet and warm.
2. 붕어빵 (bung-eo-ppang) – Fish-Shaped Pastry
Sold in pairs or sets, 붕어빵 (bung-eo-ppang) is a winter classic filled with red bean, custard, or cream.
People often buy a bunch to share with friends, it’s that ‘겨울 느낌’ (gyeo-ul neu-kkim), or winter vibe.
The name literally means ‘carp bread’, but don’t worry — it’s fish-shaped only and not made of it!
Useful Vocabulary
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겉바속촉 (geot-ba-sok-chok) – crispy outside, soft inside
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두 개 주세요 (du ge ju-se-yo) – Please give me two
Example
겉바속촉 붕어빵이 완전 겨울 간식이에요.
(geot-ba-sok-chok bung-eo-ppang-i wan-jeon gyeo-ul gan-sik-i-e-yo)
→ The crispy-soft bung-eo-ppang is the perfect winter snack.
3. 떡국 (tteok-guk) – Rice Cake Soup
Warm, comforting, and eaten especially during 설날 (seol-lal), or Lunar New Year.
Eating 떡국 (tteok-guk) symbolizes becoming a year older — a cute cultural detail you’ll hear a lot in dramas.
The broth is mild, savory, and filled with sliced rice cakes that soften beautifully.
Useful Vocabulary
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따뜻하다 (tta-teut-ha-da) – to be warm
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국물 (guk-mul) – soup broth
Example
추울 때는 따뜻한 떡국이 최고예요.
(chu-ul ttae-neun tta-tteut-han tteok-guk-i chwe-go-ye-yo)
→ Warm tteok-guk is the best when it’s cold.
4. 군고구마 (gun-go-gu-ma) – Roasted Sweet Potato
A cozy favorite of every winter market and convenience store.
The smell of 군고구마 (gun-go-gu-ma) roasting instantly reminds people of snow, scarves, and staying indoors.
Soft, sweet, and healthy, it’s one of the simplest Korean winter comforts.
Useful Vocabulary
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고소하다 (go-so-ha-da) – nutty, savory
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김이 나요 (gim-i na-yo) – It’s steaming
Example
갓 구운 군고구마에서 김이 모락모락 나요.
(gat gu-un gun-go-gu-ma-e-seo gim-i mo-rak-mo-rak na-yo)
→ Freshly roasted sweet potatoes are steaming.
5. 어묵 / 오뎅 (eo-muk / o-deng) – Fish Cake Skewers
Found at street carts, warm kiosks, and outdoor markets throughout winter.
You dip the skewered fish cakes in hot broth, take a sip of the soup, and instantly feel warm.
The vendor usually says “국물 더 드릴까요?” (guk-mul deo deu-ril-kka-yo), or “Want more broth?” — and you always say YES.
Useful Vocabulary
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국물 리필 (guk-mul ri-pil) – broth refill
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맛있다 (ma-sit-da) – delicious
Example
어묵 국물이 너무 따뜻하고 맛있어요.
(eo-muk guk-mul-i tta-tteut-ha-go ma-sit-sseo-yo)
→ The fish cake broth is so warm and delicious.
6. 유자차 (yu-ja-cha) – Citron Tea
If winter had a ‘healing drink’, this would be it.
Made with 유자 (yu-ja), or citron, honey, and warm water, 유자차 (yu-ja-cha) is soothing, fragrant, and perfect for colds.
You’ll hear people say “따뜻한 거 마실래?” (tta-tteut-han geo ma-sil-lae), or “Do you want to drink something warm?” a lot in winter — and 유자차 (yu-ja-cha) is often the answer.
Useful Vocabulary
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향기롭다 (hyang-gi-rop-da) – fragrant
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따뜻한 차 (tta-teut-han cha) – warm tea
Example
유자차는 향기롭고 몸도 따뜻해져요.
(yu-ja-cha-neun hyang-gi-rop-go mom-do tta-tteut-hae-jyeo-yo)
→ Yuja tea is fragrant and warms your body.
Winter in Korea feels extra special because food becomes part of the season’s warmth, from sizzling pans to steaming cups. Learning the names of these dishes and simple expressions around them makes your Korean feel more natural and connected to everyday life.
So as the temperatures drop, keep these cozy words close, enjoy practicing them, and get winter-ready the Korean way with warm food, warm hands, and warm vocabulary.
다음에 또 만나요! (Da-eum-e tto man-na-yo) ‐ See you next time!
Written by Surabhi
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