After an in-depth exploration of several Korean supermarkets and online shopping platforms, we’ve discovered that Korean snacks are incredibly innovative, daring to experiment with flavors that cater to niche taste preferences. From rice cake flavor to sauce-dipped fried chicken, tofu, soybean powder, egg, and cinnamon… even Japan, known for its own wild snack ideas, would have to tip their hat.
While the ideas might be wild, the products are made with heart, not just through collaborations or simple packaging changes. Many snacks even alter the shape of the chips to complement the unique flavors.
Another point worth mentioning is that, among imported snacks, Korean snacks are relatively more affordable, with prices starting at just a few yuan and rarely exceeding 30 yuan, with most falling around ten yuan. We’re happy to pay for the novelty, and even if we come across a less than stellar snack, it won’t break the bank. 
Here’s a list of lesser-known Korean snacks that we’ve compiled after spending nearly a thousand yuan, which you won’t find on other websites .
Now you can plan your trip to Korean supermarkets or fill your shopping cart with these amazing flavor innovations.
These Wonderful Flavor Innovations
Eating Egg Flavor from Potato Chips
Nongshim Fried Egg Toast Flavor Chips
At our office, we get to try various unique chips from different countries every month, but this flavor was a first for everyone:
It has a very authentic egg flavor, so much so that you might think you’re eating a fried egg while munching on these chips.
The chips serve as the base ‘toast,’ offering a potato aroma, and with the egg-flavored seasoning, it’s like a real egg toast, no complaints.
*However, this pack of chips has very mixed reviews:
Those who like it are excitedly shouting that it tastes just like an egg salad sandwich and are already ordering more through the orange app.
Those who don’t like it find the smell off-putting.
Upgraded Onion Ring Flavor
Calbee Haitai Baked Onion Flavor
We’ve had plenty of onion-flavored snacks, but this one truly captures the essence of baked green onions:
Upon opening the packet, you’re hit with an intense onion aroma, with every onion ring generously coated in seasoning. Korean onion rings have a fuller cereal flavor, are thicker, and even have a fluffy texture.
It gives you the illusion of eating a green onion bread, but in a more concentrated form, making it very addictive.
How fragrant is this snack? We even used it to stir-fry rice, and trust us, it’s not a dark culinary experiment!
After two weeks of eating egg fried rice, we were almost suffering from PTSD, but adding these baked onion rings to the stir-fry brought the dish back to life .
A Snack that Conquered the Entire Company
Orion Little Turtle Corn Puffs
The sweet versions are even more intriguing, and they’re flavors you rarely see in the snack market — soybean powder and cinnamon! The domestic version is called “Lollipop,” but these sweet flavors are only available in the Korean version.
Soybean powder is the most popular, with each puff generously coated in fragrant soybean powder, providing a full-bodied texture and a gentle sweetness.
They’re powdery, crispy, and incredibly aromatic, making them the best soybean powder snack we’ve ever had!
The cinnamon flavor has a unique texture, with cinnamon powder mixed with sugar granules, offering a fluffy and crisp sensation, with a playful sugar crunch, making for a very cute taste ~
Sweet and Fresh Shrimp Sticks
Nongshim Mayonnaise Rice Shrimp Sticks
The usual Nongshim shrimp sticks are known for their salty, umami flavor, but these rice shrimp sticks have an unusual, sweet aroma reminiscent of egg yolk mayonnaise, which is quite magical.
After consulting with a Korean language expert, we learned that this non-fried shrimp stick has mayonnaise added directly to the dough before baking.
Though not coated in powder, each stick offers a delightful interplay of shrimp flavor and the sweet, creamy taste of mayonnaise!
Caramel Sea Salt Done Better than Dessert Shops
Nongshim Caramel Sea Salt Butterfly Crisps
If I could only eat one snack during the winter, I would definitely choose this pack of Nongshim’s sea salt caramel butterfly crisps.
The texture is somewhat similar to Pringles, but the shape is more unique, like a bag full of mini figure-eight bread rings! They’re light and crispy with a bit of fluffiness, but what really deserves praise is the flavoring.
I’ve tried many desserts from various shops, but it’s rare to find such an authentic caramel sea salt flavor in an expanded snack.
The caramel drizzle is on the sweeter side, but it’s the kind of sweetness that brings happiness! Sometimes, you’ll bite into a grain of salty sea salt, adding a delightful surprise, and as you eat, your mood softens and heals.
Mild and Addictive Tofu Crisps
COSMOS Tofu Crisps
This crisp incorporates tofu into the ingredients. It looks thin and crisp, but in reality, it’s very chewable, allowing for a slow and savoring experience.
The seasoning is very refreshing, with a mild sweetness, a hint of saltiness, and then a subtle bean aroma that spreads in your mouth, gradually becoming more intense.
Fried Chicken Flavor Dipping Sticks
Lotte Fried Chicken Dipping Sauce + Pringles
Koreans really can turn their culinary culture into snacks .
Fried chicken flavored chips aren’t uncommon, but they’ve taken the Korean-style fried chicken concept and applied it to snacks!
Orion’s Pringles are on the thinner side, making them lighter and crisper to eat. Enjoyed plain, they offer a mild taste but still exude the pure aroma of corn.
Dipped in the sweet and spicy chicken sauce, they actually give you a hint of… fried chicken flavor, which is quite amazing. The texture is like eating the skin of Korean fried chicken, but crispier!
