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The Korean Snacks Real Locals Actually Eat
- MyFreshDash
- Jul 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 22
Not just what’s trendy—what’s truly loved.
When you grow up in Korea, snacks aren’t just snacks. They’re part of your routine. They live in your backpack, show up in your lunchbox, sit in your desk drawer, and wait in the pantry for after dinner.
They’re tied to memories: buying onion rings with your weekly allowance, sipping banana milk in the schoolyard, trading Pepero sticks during exam season, or unwrapping a HomeRunBall after hagwon (cram school) like it was a tiny reward for surviving the day.
But here’s the thing—most of these snacks never make it into international spotlight. Tourists reach for the gimmicks. The fire noodles. The outrageous chip flavors. And that’s fine—but they’re missing out on the snacks locals actually buy. The ones we’ve loved for years, not months.
So today, we’re letting you in. These are 10 real Korean snacks that locals eat every day—each with its own quiet fanbase, emotional connection, and unbeatable flavor.
🍯 1. Honey Butter Chip (허니버터칩) – By Haitai
There was a time in Korea when stores couldn’t keep this in stock. People were lining up for a bag. Some even resold them online. Why? Because Haitai somehow figured out a way to make a chip that’s buttery, lightly sweet, perfectly salty—and completely addictive.
At first bite, you think: “Oh this is subtle.” By the 10th chip, you’re in deep. It’s warm and mellow, not aggressive. It doesn’t try too hard—and that’s exactly why it works.
This is the snack you bring on a picnic, share with someone you like, or quietly eat solo while watching K-dramas. A gentle, golden classic.
2. HomeRunBall (홈런볼) – By Orion
You know how some snacks just taste like childhood? That’s HomeRunBall. They’ve been around since 1981, and not much has changed. It’s still a perfectly puffed shell filled with soft chocolate cream that somehow doesn’t taste processed or overly sweet.
In Korea, these are a favorite for kids, sure—but also for parents, office workers, anyone who needs a soft landing at the end of a hard day.
They’re not fancy. Just familiar. The kind of snack that gives you a little comfort without making a scene.
3. Lotte Choco Pie Original (초코파이) – By Lotte
There are snacks, and then there are cultural institutions. Lotte Choco Pie is the latter.
Launched in 1974, this soft, chocolate-coated cake sandwich filled with marshmallow is Korea’s OG comfort snack. It's been packed in lunchboxes, shipped in care packages, passed around in offices, and handed out at school events for generations.
What makes it special? It’s not flashy. It’s soft, mellow, and just sweet enough. The chocolate shell gives a gentle snap, the sponge cake is pillowy, and the marshmallow center holds it all together like a hug you can eat.
Koreans associate Choco Pie with celebration, sharing, and comfort. It’s a peace offering. A reward. A little reminder that someone thought of you.
If you’ve never had one warm? Try microwaving it for 10 seconds. Total game-changer.
4. Banana Flavored Milk (바나나맛 우유) – By Binggrae
If you ask 10 Koreans about banana milk, 9 will probably smile before they speak. This little bottle is everywhere in Korea—school vending machines, corner stores, train stations. Binggrae’s version is iconic: soft, smooth, lightly sweet, and oddly comforting.
You don’t even need to like bananas to like this drink. It’s less about fruit and more about a mood. Like when you want to treat yourself to something chill and familiar.
Drinking this feels like pressing pause on a busy day.
5. Kancho Choco Biscuits (칸쵸) – By Lotte
These little guys are easy to underestimate. They’re bite-sized round cookies, each stamped with a cartoon character—and inside? Smooth chocolate cream.
But here’s the secret: it’s the crunch. That crisp, clean bite gives way to rich chocolate that feels way more indulgent than it should for a snack this cute.
Locals love Kancho because they’re easy to share, but also easy to demolish solo. Keep a pack in your car or desk drawer and thank us later.
6. Milkis Original (밀키스) – By Lotte
There’s nothing else quite like Milkis. It’s fizzy like soda, but creamy like a yogurt drink—with a light, citrusy sweetness that somehow works way better than it sounds.
Milkis has been around since the 1980s, and Koreans still reach for it when they want something refreshing but not overly sugary. It’s the ultimate nostalgic drink—served cold, sometimes with ramen, or just on its own as a treat after school or work.
The Original flavor is the most iconic, but there are other fun versions like strawberry, melon, and peach. Still, nothing beats that OG white can.
If you’re new to Korean drinks, start here. It’s weird. It’s wonderful. It’s a vibe.
7. Pepero (빼빼로) – By Lotte
Pepero needs no intro—but let’s be clear: if you’ve only tried the basic chocolate one, you’re just getting started.
Almond Pepero? Crunchy and rich.
Nude Pepero? Inside-out, filled with cream.
Cookies & Cream Pepero? Dangerous in the best way.
In Korea, Pepero Day (Nov. 11) is like Valentine’s Day for snacks—you give it to friends, crushes, coworkers. But honestly, Pepero is an anytime snack. Easy to pack, perfect for breaks, impossible to hate.
8. Oh Yes Chocolate Cake (오예스) – By Haitai
Imagine if a brownie and a Swiss roll had a very delicious child—that’s Oh Yes.
This snack cake from Haitai has been a Korean lunchbox staple since the ‘90s. It’s a soft, moist chocolate sponge layered with light cream, then coated in smooth chocolate. But here’s the difference: it’s not overly sweet. There’s a rich cocoa flavor that makes it feel more like a bakery treat than a packaged snack.
Locals love it chilled straight from the fridge, or even frozen for a slightly firmer texture. It’s the kind of snack you’d sneak into your backpack for school or save for the best part of your lunch.
If you’re the kind of person who skips overly sugary desserts but still wants a real chocolate fix, Oh Yes will be your go-to.
9. Custard Cream Cakes (카스타드) – By Orion
Soft, golden sponge cake. Silky custard cream inside. That’s it. That’s the snack. And it’s perfect.
Unlike heavier packaged cakes, Orion’s custard cakes are pillowy and light. They don’t sit in your stomach. They don’t overload you with sugar. They just give you a soft, sweet break when you need one.
Microwave for 10 seconds for the full effect. You’re welcome.
10. Ace Cracker (에이스) – By Haitai
Simple. Light. Perfect with tea. That’s Ace.
These thin, rectangular crackers from Haitai have been a Korean pantry staple for decades. They’re not flashy—they don’t need to be. With a buttery, slightly salty flavor and delicate crunch, Ace Crackers are the snack equivalent of clean white sheets: subtle, comforting, timeless.
They’re especially popular with older generations, but they’ve got universal appeal. People eat them plain, with strawberry jam, dipped in milk, or even as a base for cheese and ham. They’re also that one snack you always see at family gatherings—on a little tray next to fruit and rice cakes.
Ace Crackers aren’t trying to impress you. They’re just that good.
Why These Snacks Matter (and Why We Sell Them)
At MyFreshDash, we don’t just sell Korean snacks because they’re trending—we sell them because we know them. We grew up with them. We trust them. And we think you should experience them too—not as a novelty, but as part of your snack life.
These aren’t hype snacks. They’re habit snacks.They’re the ones you reach for again—not because they’re flashy, but because they’re real.
And we think more people deserve to taste what Korean comfort really feels like.
🛒 Browse the full Korean snack collection → Nationwide delivery. Authentic brands. No weird imports.
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• Top 10 Korean snacks 2025 — ranked best-sellers by sales.
• Jennie’s favorite: Banana Kick — celeb-approved crunchy classic.
• K-Drama snacks guide — binge-night pairings beyond chips.
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