Korean street food is reshaping travel experiences for international visitors. Tourists now prefer quick, casual meals instead of traditional dining. Moreover, recent tourism data shows a clear shift toward convenience snacks, coffee, and fast food.
From 2018 through mid-2025, spending on these items surged across several categories. Specifically, ice cream sales grew 35 percent annually. Convenience store meals rose 34 percent, and croffles and waffles climbed 25.5 percent. Therefore, Korean street food now holds a large share of total tourist spending.
In the first seven months of 2025, foreign visitors made over 13 million convenience store purchases. Additionally, cafes followed with 8.9 million transactions, bakeries with 3 million, and burger chains with 2.3 million. Each category recorded growth above 29 percent compared to last year.
Many travelers also enjoy the local twists in globally familiar foods. Korean burger brands attract strong demand. Even international chains design Korea-only menus and themed interiors. As a result, these creative touches strengthen the global appeal of Korean street food.
Furthermore, social media trends also play a major role. Over 40 percent of foreign-language posts about Korean convenience stores mention food. Ramyen tops the list, followed by coffee and snacks. Consequently, these online discussions turn everyday eating into a unique cultural experience.
Traditional dishes are also gaining popularity. Spending on noodles and dumplings rose 55 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, pork bone stew, or gamjatang, jumped 44 percent. Traditional snacks surged 77 percent, showing that Korean street food bridges modern and classic flavors.
In addition, online culture continues to shape consumer behavior. The viral “ggultteok cereal,” or honey rice cake cereal, inspired Korean companies to produce commercial versions. Notably, the dessert trend received over 300,000 likes across major platforms.
Lee Mi-sook, head of the Korea Tourism Organization’s data strategy team, said these habits show how tourists engage with local culture. She noted that Korean street food allows travelers to experience daily life in a fun, authentic way.
Looking forward, experts expect this movement to grow even stronger. As Korea merges culinary creativity with digital influence, Korean street food will continue redefining modern tourism.
