Hi everyone! I’m sure all of you have at least one snack that you’ve been munching on since you were a kid, right?
Even as I get older, my love for snacks hasn’t faded one bit. My heart (and taste buds) definitely belongs to the savory side—I rarely find myself reaching for chocolate or overly sweet treats.
The other day, I was picking out some snacks at a convenience store when it suddenly hit me: “Wow, I’ve been eating these same snacks for decades! My taste hasn’t changed at all.” It felt like such a lucky thing that these childhood favorites are still sitting right there on the shelf, waiting for me to pick them up after all these years.
My Timeless Snack List
So, I’ve decided to share the snacks I picked up that day—the ones I’ve been loyal to for over 30 years!
To be honest, I got a little overexcited and bought way too many to show you all at once. Haha. So, I’ll be introducing them in small batches of four or five at a time. Some of these might be available at your local H-Mart or even on Amazon, so if you’re curious, you should definitely give them a try!
But before we dive into the Korean classics, let me show you some of my favorite snacks from Japan and the UK first. If you recognize any of these, you’ll probably get a very good idea of what my “snack DNA” is like!
My Global Snack Cravings
The one on the left is a snack(kajamucho) I discovered during a trip to Tokyo. I loved it so much that I made sure to pick it up again on my next visit. I absolutely adore that firm, “snappy” crunch it has! Since Japan is quite close to Korea, I visit fairly often, so I only brought back one extra bag this time—and now I’m totally regretting it. (I should have bought ten! ㅠㅠ)
And on the right is a snack(HULA HOOPS) I used to enjoy daily when I lived in London for a year. I think it’s actually a popular choice for kids’ lunchboxes, but I don’t mind at all! I love it because it’s a potato-based snack with a satisfying crunch. Since I’m not the type to fill up on snacks as a meal, these small individual bags are the perfect portion size for me.
Unfortunately, this one is impossible to find in Korea, so I actually sent an “SOS” to a friend living in London. I just received a few bags via international mail and I’m slowly savoring every single one.
Looking at these two, can you guess my snack DNA? You nailed it—I’m all about that Potato base and a serious Crunch!
When my son saw the mountain of snacks I’d brought home from the convenience store, I caught him trying to hide a surprised yet excited grin. I could tell he was absolutely thrilled! Since our tastes overlap quite a bit, of course, I have to share the loot with him. There’s nothing like bonding over a pile of crunchy, savory treats and enjoying a little snack party together!
The Timeless Classic – Pepero
The Pepero consists of a crunchy, thin biscuit stick dipped in smooth milk chocolate. It’s simple, iconic, and has been a staple in my life for over 30 years! While there are dozens of new flavors coming out every year—like almond, even spicy versions—I always find myself coming back to the Original.
There’s something so satisfying about the “snap” when you bite into the biscuit. It’s the perfect light snack that isn’t too heavy. Whether it’s for the famous “Pepero Day” on November 11th or just a casual afternoon treat, this red box is a must-have in any Korean snack haul!
In Korea, we have various types of “Day Marketing” that utilize calendar dates, but without a doubt, the most successful one is 11.11 Pepero Day.
On November 11th, the tall and thin “1”s look just like Pepero sticks! It has become such a massive cultural phenomenon that it’s almost impossible to find someone who doesn’t receive at least one box on this day. It’s a day for sharing small gestures of affection with friends, family, and colleagues.
(I’ve actually written a post about other unique Korean “Number Marketing” before, so make sure to check that out as well for more fun facts!)
I’ve always been the type to prefer the classic, “original” version of anything over new, fancy variations. That’s why the Original Pepero has remained my absolute favorite for so long. There’s something irreplaceable about the way it snaps perfectly with every bite—that “tuk–tuk” sound and feel are half the fun! It’s the ultimate snack that never gets old, no matter how many years go by.
This one is a collaboration between Pepero and Crunky, a famous Korean chocolate brand known for its crispy malt puffs. It takes the classic biscuit stick and coats it in chocolate filled with those tiny, crunchy puffs.
I’m actually not a big fan of chocolate. I rarely find myself craving sweet treats, but there are two very specific exceptions that I occasionally get hooked on—Crunky and Maltesers.
So, when Pepero collaborated with Crunky chocolate, it was like they made a snack specifically for me.
Talking about Pepero brought back a sudden flash of an old memory, so I went digging through my photo albums.
When I was little, eating snacks with my dad was always a game. We’d each grab one end of a stick, and on the count of three, we’d see who could eat their way to the middle faster! Looking back, I realize now that my dad probably just held his end still, letting me “win” and eat almost the whole thing. At the time, I was just so focused on winning and having fun. (Funny enough, looking at the old photo now, I realized the snack we were eating wasn’t actually Pepero—it was something else! But the memory is still just as sweet.)
The King of Ridged Chips – Swing Chip
As I’m writing this very sentence, I’m actually munching on these right now—Swing Chip!
If you are like me and live for that “serious crunch,” Swing Chip is the ultimate potato chip. Unlike thin, flat chips, these have deep “V-cut” ridges that make them much thicker and crispier. These ridges are also genius because they trap all that delicious, savory seasoning in every groove, giving you a massive burst of flavor in every bite.
I still remember when this snack first hit the shelves. I was completely mesmerized by this “new world” of potato chips and couldn’t escape its charm.
The magic lies in the flavor: it’s the perfect marriage between a classic potato chip and the sweet-yet-spicy kick of Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste). Once you open a bag, your hand just won’t stop moving until it’s empty!
I’ve been adding Amazon links for most of the snacks I’ve introduced, but I’m so disappointed that I can’t find Swing Chip on Amazon right now. It’s such a shame because this is the one snack I really want you all to experience! If you ever pass by a Korean grocery store, keep your eyes peeled for this one—it’s an absolute must-try.
Flip, Mix, and Crunch! – Viyott
After a round of bold, spicy, and salty snacks, you need something to cool down your palate. Let me introduce you to my favorite way to refresh: Viyott.
If you visit a Korean convenience store, you’ll see people grabbing a unique square-shaped yogurt container. It comes in a clever square container with two separate sections. One side holds smooth, creamy yogurt, and the other holds a generous portion of crunchy toppings. You simply “flip” the topping side over to mix them in!
My son is a huge fan of Viyott, too! His favorite part, without a doubt, is the Choco Rings. He always tells me how much he loves them because they stay so incredibly crunchy even when mixed with the yogurt.
It seems he’s not the only one obsessed with that texture. Those tiny chocolate rings became so popular in Korea that the company recently started selling them as a standalone product!
The Airy, Savory Delight – Shrimp Chips (Al-Saewoo-Chip)
After the bold flavors of Swing Chip, let’s move on to a snack that’s light, airy, but incredibly addictive: Shrimp Chips(known as Al–Saewoo–Chip in Korea).
What makes them so special is their unique texture—they are light and puffy, almost like a savory cloud that shatters with a satisfying “crunch” before melting on your tongue. The shrimp flavor is subtle yet deeply savory, making it impossible to eat just one.
In Korea, these are often served as a free snack at local pubs because they pair so perfectly with a cold glass of beer. They have this clean, salty finish that cleanses your palate while keeping you coming back for more. If you enjoy seafood-based snacks but want something lighter than a traditional potato chip, this is the gold standard!
Before you finish the whole bag, I have a secret tip for you! To take these chips to the next level, try making a simple dipping sauce.
My personal favorite is a mix of mayonnaise and hot sauce, or even a bit of ketchup. When you dip that airy, savory shrimp chip into a creamy, spicy sauce, the flavor profile completely transforms. It adds a rich, zesty kick that perfectly complements the subtle seafood notes.
It’s funny how a simple trip to the convenience store can bring back so many layers of memories. From the “Pepero games” I played with my dad to the crunchy “Viyott rituals” I now share with my son, these snacks are more than just treats—they are little pieces of my life story.
What about you? Is there a snack that instantly takes you back to your childhood? Or perhaps a “soul snack” that you just can’t live without? Let me know in the comments!
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll be diving into even more of my 30-year-old favorites from Korea!
MJay
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