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Top 10 Korean Snacks 2025: Best-Sellers by Sales
- MyFreshDash
- Aug 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 22
If “K-snacks” makes you think only spicy chips, get ready to widen the snack lens. Korean snacks are playful, crunchy, and surprisingly elegant: thin shattering chips, marshmallow-soft cakes, nutty glazes, and that sweet-savory balance you can’t quite put down. They’re what friends pass around during K-dramas, what office drawers hide for a 3 p.m. save, what couples exchange on 11/11 Pepero Day, and what travelers swear they’ll “save for home” but finish before customs.
This guide serves two snack tribes: the curious first-timer asking “Where do I start?” and the veteran hunting a data-backed pulse check on what Korea is actually buying in 2025. You’ll meet lifetime icons—Shrimp Crackers, Choco Pie—and modern obsessions like Honey Butter Chip, plus party picks that pair perfectly with a cold drink.
How we ranked things.
We project 2025 sales using 2023 reported figures and current trendlines. Numbers are rounded and indicative, but the order reflects what’s consistently landing in carts. Now—crinkle the bag and dive in.
Quick Table of Contents
Top 10 Korean Snacks 2025
1) Shrimp Crackers (Nongshim) — ~$108M
Flavor in 7 words: Salty ocean umami, airy crunch, dangerously addictive.
Why it ranks: Multi-gen classic since 1971.
Best with: Cold beer, soda, beach playlists.
Try next: Black or Spicy for deeper umami.
2) Pepero (Lotte) — ~$100M
Flavor in 7 words: Crisp biscuit, chocolate coat, snackable sticks.
Why it ranks: Cultural phenomenon powered by 11/11.
Best with: Coffee breaks, gifting, office drawers.
Try next: Almond, Nude (choco inside), White Cookie.
3) Poca Chip (Orion) — ~$73M
Flavor in 7 words: Clean potato, ultra-thin, mega crunch, delightfully light.
Why it ranks: Benchmark Korean potato chip.
Best with: Movie night; sandwich crunch upgrade.
Try next: Onion, Consommé Punch.
4) Homerun Ball (Haitai) — ~$69M
Flavor in 7 words: Mini pastry puffs, chocolate cream, nostalgia hit.
Why it ranks: Dessert-leaning bite that disappears fast.
Best with: Cold milk or vanilla ice cream.
Try next: Limited seasonal creams.
5) Choco Pie (Orion) — ~$68M
Flavor in 7 words: Soft cake, marshmallow center, chocolate shell comfort.
Why it ranks: Pan-Asian comfort icon, decades strong.
Best with: Tea time, road trips.
Pro tip: Chill for chew; microwave 5 seconds for ooze.
6) Pringles — ~$67M
Flavor in 7 words: Stackable chips, loud crunch, globally loved staple.
Why it ranks: Consistent texture; lively KR flavor rotation.
Best with: Dips, game nights, binge sessions.
Try next: Sour Cream & Onion, Hot & Spicy.
7) Kkokkalcorn (Lotte) — ~$65M
Flavor in 7 words: Sweet corn aroma, toasty notes, crunchy cones.
Why it ranks: Iconic cone shape + roasted corn.
Best with: Family sharing, road snacks.
Fun bit: Yes, you’ll wear them on your fingers.
8) Squid Peanut Balls / Ojing-eo Ttangkong (Orion) — ~$54M
Flavor in 7 words: Sweet-salty glaze, umami snap, crunchy peanutty core.
Why it ranks: Bar-snack legend with layered texture.
Best with: Lager, sparkling water, picnic spreads.
9) Matdongsan (Haitai) — ~$44M
Flavor in 7 words: Honey glaze, peanut crumbs, ridged nostalgic crunch.
Why it ranks: Retro profile that still slaps.
Best with: Yogurt or ice cream.
Snack hack: Crumble over vanilla yogurt.
10) Honey Butter Chip (Haitai-Calbee) — ~$36M
Flavor in 7 words: Buttery-sweet dusting, thin chips, sneakily addictive magic.
Why it ranks: 2010s hype that still converts.
Watch for: Truffle, maple, and other seasonal spins.
Buyer’s Guide: Pick by Mood
Beer night / anju: Shrimp Crackers, Squid Peanut Balls, Matdongsan
Coffee & dessert: Pepero, Homerun Ball, Choco Pie
All-ages party bowl: Poca Chip, Pringles, Kkokkalcorn
Sweet-savory trend pick: Honey Butter Chip
FAQs
1) Is Pepero the same as Pocky?
Similar concept (biscuit sticks + chocolate) from different companies. Korea celebrates Pepero Day (11/11), so seasonal flavors and gifting are huge.
2) Are Korean snacks spicy?
Some, but most best-sellers lean savory, buttery, or sweet. Want heat? Grab “Spicy/Hot” variants.
3) Vegetarian or halal-friendly options?
Often: potato chips (Poca Chip, many Pringles) and chocolate biscuits/cakes (Pepero, Choco Pie). Seafood-seasoned classics (Shrimp Crackers, Squid Peanut Balls) may not fit. Always check ingredients and certifications.
Recommended from MyFreshDash
• Soupy gochujang tteokbokki (15 minutes) — snack-shop style, slurpable and spicy.
• Best-selling Korean ramen: top 5 classics — iconic bowls every snack fan should know.
• Top 5 Korean instant foods — quick comfort picks that taste homemade.
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