Gyeongju’s trendiest street, Hwangnidan-gil, is lined with hanok cafes and shops — but the real fun is the street food you eat while walking. Look around and you’ll see everyone carrying a snack; these are the local classics. I’ve tried the lineup and ranked the four you shouldn’t skip, worst to best. This is purely my own taste — the most famous one isn’t my favorite, so read it as one local’s opinion and eat your way to your own.
This pairs with my Gyeongju itinerary — Hwangnidan-gil is where Day 1 eats and shops.
4. Ten-won bread (십원빵) — ~3,500 KRW
The viral one, shaped like Korea’s 10-won coin. A sweet, egg-bread-style batter wrapped around a molten core of mozzarella cheese — the cheese pull is the whole Instagram moment. If you love cheese, you’ll love it; I’m personally lukewarm on cheese-bread, so it lands at #4 for me. But it’s the most photographed snack on the street for a reason, so judge for yourself. One practical note: lots of shops along Hwangnidan-gil sell ten-won bread and they all taste about the same, so just grab one wherever the line is shortest. (Google Maps for the spot where I bought mine.)
3. Gyeongju-sand (경주샌드) — 2,200 KRW each
A butter sandwich cookie filled with cream cheese and caramel — rich buttery aroma, crisp snap, dangerously easy to eat several. It also comes in gift boxes (16,000 KRW), which makes it Gyeongju’s other classic edible souvenir after Gyeongju-ppang. Great as both a snack and a gift — see my full Gyeongju-sand Guide for where to buy it and why it’s worth taking home. (Google Maps.)
2. Hwangnam jjondeugi (황남쫀드기) — ~4,000 KRW
Expect a line — there’s often a staff member just managing the queue. Jjondeugi is a chewy retro Korean snack (a childhood nostalgia food); here it’s fried and dusted with ramen-style seasoning, which sounds odd and tastes great. It genuinely surprised me. There are set menus with beer or cola, and gift boxes too. (Google Maps.)
1. Hwangnam corn (황남옥수수) — ~4,000 KRW
My number one: fried canned corn in a cup, topped with savory-salty mayo sauce. Three versions — Hwangnam, mayo, and corn-cream — and I preferred Hwangnam. It’s mildly spicy (and I’m weak with spice), but the little kick cuts the richness and makes it moreish rather than heavy. On a hot day, they also do a cool corn ice cream (5,000 KRW) — same sweet-corn idea, frozen. (Google Maps.)
My ranking
Hwangnam corn > Hwangnam jjondeugi > Gyeongju-sand > ten-won bread. Your mileage will vary — if you love cheese, the ten-won bread may top your list. These are light, cheap, walk-and-eat snacks, so you don’t have to choose just one; graze your way down the street between sights.
Verdict
Hwangnidan-gil is as much a snacking street as a sightseeing one, and grazing your way through it is part of the Gyeongju experience. Come a little hungry, carry cash for the small stalls, and don’t leave without a box of Gyeongju-sand. For where this fits in a full day, see my Gyeongju itinerary.
