Kimchi's Got the Scoop: 5 Korean Street Food Trends We're Watching Closely

We're always keeping our chopsticks close to the streets of Seoul especially Kimchi, our unofficial trend scout (and yes, she’s got a spicy personality to match). From sizzling skewers to cheesy delights, Korea's street food scene is buzzing in 2025 and you better believe we’ve got our eye on what might just pop up on our menu next .

Here’s what’s hot right now in Korea and what might be headed to Selly Oak very soon.
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🔥 1. Cheese Enhanced TteokbokkiTteokbokki has always been a street food superstar, but 2025 is all about that melty upgrade. Think rice cakes oozing with cheese or baked under a golden, bubbly layer. It’s spicy, it’s creamy, it’s totally addictive and yes, we’re already dreaming up our own Sakura spin on it.

🥔 2. Tornado Potatoes (Hweori Gamja)These deep-fried spirals are the snack of the moment. Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and now twirled in wild new flavours spicy pepper, tangy cheese, even sweet cinnamon sugar. Could these twisty treats be your new fave side dish at Kimchi? Time will tell…

🍙 3. Mayak Gimbap (Addictive Gimbap)Bite-sized and dangerously moreish, Mayak Gimbap is the ultimate snack on-the-go in Korea. Dunked in soy or mustard sauce, it’s giving big flavour with a tiny footprint. Perfect for those pre-BBQ nibbles or late-night munchies.

🌍 4. Fusion Street FoodKorea’s street vendors are thinking global: gochujang wings, kimchi quesadillas, even Korean-style burgers. Sounds like our kind of party. At Kimchi fusion is in our DNA so you know we’re loving these bold, creative mashups.

🍜 5. Kalguksu (Knife-Cut Noodles)Comfort in a bowl. These hearty, hand-cut noodles are making a nostalgic comeback in Korean markets and inspiring us to dig deeper into our roots too. Simple, satisfying, and soulful.

We're always evolving our menu with a mix of traditional favourites and fresh new finds. So don’t be surprised if one of these Korean street food legends sneaks onto your plate soon Kimchi’s always on the case.