Hello, world! It’s Min, your local K-culture guide and food expert. Living in Korea, I’ve seen trends come and go, but 2025 is a year like no other. As someone with professional certifications in Korean Cuisine and Baking,I will introduce you to the tastes and trends of Korean food.
The Korean MZ generation (Millennials and Gen Z) is currently obsessed with “Sensory Play”—it’s not just about taste; it’s about the sound of the crunch, the aesthetic of the packaging, and the “secret menu” hacks.
Ready to dive into the most delicious part of Korea? Let’s go! ✈️🍴
1. The “Buldak-Miyeok-Tang” Hack: Fire Meets Healing
What happens when you mix the “Fire” of Buldak with the “Soul” of Korea’s birthday soup? You get the Buldak-Miyeok-Tang. Originally a viral DIY recipe from CU convenience stores, this has become the ultimate “Haejang” (hangover) meal.
- The Story: Miyeok-guk (Seaweed Soup) is a symbol of recovery and health in Korea. MZers started mixing it with Buldak to create a “painless spice”—the slippery, oceanic seaweed coats the throat, making the extreme heat feel like a warm hug.
- The Flavor Profile: Deep, briny umami from the beef-based seaweed broth followed by the iconic, sharp spicy kick of the Buldak sauce. It’s a “sweet and salty” (Dan-Jjan) evolution into “Spicy and Savory.”
👩🍳 Min’s “Masterpiece” Recipe:
- Prepare: Buy a Buldak Soup-type Cup and a CU PB Beef Seaweed Soup (the one with real liquid broth).
- Boil: Heat the seaweed soup until it’s bubbling.
- Combine: Pour the hot seaweed soup into the Buldak cup instead of plain water.
- Wait: Let the noodles soak up the sea-flavored goodness for 4 minutes.
- Finish: Add the sauce and a handful of shredded brisket (or just a cheese string) for that 5-star convenience store experience!
2. Dubai “Jjondeuk” Cookies: The Middle Eastern Crunch
If 2024 was the year of Dubai Chocolate, 2025 is the year of the Dubai Jjondeuk (Chewy) Cookie. Korean bakers took the Middle Eastern flavors and added that signature “K-Chew.”
- What’s Inside: It’s a chunky cookie filled with Kadaif (thin, crispy pastry strands fried in butter), rich Pistachio spread, and a marshmallow or mochi core.
- Why it’s a Hit: The texture contrast is insane! You get the Crunch-Crunch of the Kadaif and then the Stretch-Stretch of the chewy center.
- Where to find: Check out Seongsu-dong (the Brooklyn of Seoul) or Arom Bake in Incheon. These sell out in minutes!
3. Matcha Glazed: The Sophisticated Green Wave
Forget overly sweet desserts. The trend now is “Adult-Taste” (Eoreun-mat). Matcha Glazed treats are all about that pleasant bitterness that cleanses the palate.
- The Star Menu: The Starbucks Korea Matcha Glazed Tea Latte started the fire. It features a thick, velvety matcha cream “glaze” that sits on top of the milk like a green cloud.
- The Look: It’s “Insta-ready” with a beautiful deep green gradient.
- Min’s Tip: Look for “Matcha Glazed Donuts” in Yeonnam-dong. The glaze should be crackly on the outside and bitter-sweet, not just sugary!
4. Myeongnan (Pollock Roe) Salt Bread: The Umami King
Salt bread (Sio Pan) is a staple, but the Myeongnan Salt Bread is the 2025 upgrade. It’s the perfect example of “Gourmet-izing” simple snacks.
- The Experience: Imagine a golden, crusty roll glistening with sea salt and butter. As you bite, a burst of savory, spicy, and buttery Myeongnan (Pollock Roe) paste oozes out.
- Local Secret: Kim Seong-min Coffee in Suwon is the holy land for this. Their bread is soaked in butter, making it “Geot-Ba-Sok-Chok” (Crispy outside, Moist inside). It’s so popular people wait for hours just for one tray!
5. Matcha Icebox Cake: The Frozen Treasure
Think of a Tiramisu, but make it frozen and very, very green. The Matcha Icebox Cake is designed to be eaten at sub-zero temperatures.
- The Texture: It’s not a fluffy sponge cake. It’s made by layering matcha cream with chocolate cookies and letting them “age” in the freezer until the cookies become cake-like.
- DIY Home Cafe: MZers love making this at home because it requires no baking—just layering and patience!
6. Ghana-D Milk: The “Cute” Retro Sip
The classic Ghana Chocolate brand has been a Korean favorite since the 70s. The new Ghana-D Milk line (exclusive to CU) is a hit because of its “Retro-Cute” packaging.
- The Flavors: Chocolate, Banana, and Strawberry.
- The Hook: It comes with a specialized “character cap” that you can collect. It’s a small luxury that makes a mundane morning commute feel like a “Kidult” (Kid + Adult) adventure.
7. The Matcha Snack Era: No More “Hate It”
In the past, Matcha was a polarizing “love it or hate it” flavor in Korea. Now, it’s a Basic Option.
- The Market: Brands like Lotte and Orion have released Matcha versions of Market O Brownies, Cuckoo Das, and even Choco Pies.
- The Trend: People are doing “Matcha Tours” in supermarkets, collecting every green box they can find to compare the “levels of bitterness.”
8. Cup-Bingsu: Bingsu on the Go
Gone are the days when you needed three friends to finish a Shaved Ice. Cup-Bingsu is the solo-diner’s dream.
- The Contenders: Mega Coffee and Compose Coffee offer massive 20oz cups filled with milk ice, condensed milk, and toppings.
- Min’s Pick: Ediya Coffee offers a more “premium” cup-bingsu with flavors like Injeolmi (roasted soybean powder) and Mango. It’s portable, so you can eat it while strolling through Han River Park!
9. Yogurt Ggul-Tteok: The Traditional Remix
This is the “K-Dessert” that even people who don’t like traditional rice cakes love. Yogurt Ggul-Tteok takes the classic honey-filled rice cake and douses it in a tangy yogurt cream.
- The Brand: “Bomnal-en” (Spring Day) made this famous.
- Why it works: The fermentation of the yogurt adds a zing that perfectly balances the heavy sweetness of the honey syrup inside the cake. It’s chewy, popping, and creamy all at once.
- Where to buy: Yogurt Ggul-Tteok are sold on the official “Bomnal-en” shopping mall. They’re also occasionally sold at pop-up stores. These events are held seasonally, so be sure to check social media or the official account.
10. The Napoli Matfia Burger: A Michelin in Your Hands
The biggest food event of 2025 was the collaboration between Lotteria and Chef Kwon Sung-jun (Napoli Matfia), the winner of Culinary Class Wars.
- The Menu: The “Mozzarella Burger” with Tomato Basil or Balsamic Basil.
- The Flavor: This isn’t your average fast-food burger. The Balsamic Basil sauce smells like a high-end Italian kitchen. The mozzarella patty stretches for miles, and the basil adds a freshness that is unheard of in a $7 burger.
- The Status: It was so popular (selling 450,000 in a week!) that it’s now a permanent menu item. If you want a taste of a Michelin winner for a fraction of the price, this is it!
🌟 Min’s Final Word
Korea’s food scene is a mix of tradition and wild imagination. Whether you’re trying a spicy seaweed ramen hack or a basil-scented burger, you’re tasting the vibrant energy of Seoul!
Which of these would you try first?
A certified Korean chef and baker. Min shares authentic tastes of Korea, from hidden local gems to traditional recipes and everyday lifestyle.