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street food

Ktown Night Market in L.A.

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Ktown Night Market in L.A.

Ktown Night Market Concert

Ktown Night Market Concert

What is it about different cultures coming together and combining their vision of food, creating an eclectic edge? There’s a feeling that pulses between the hustle of vendors, aroma of fusion cuisine and live music. I’m talking about the Ktown Night Market, a two-day event held monthly during the summer at various locations throughout Koreatown and Downtown Los Angeles. Tonight’s event takes place at The RFK Community Schools Complex, a former site of the Ambassador Hotel and the famous “Cocoanut Grove.” Celebrities known to have frequented the historic venues include Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Anna May Wong among others. As time has passed a unique charm of the area still remains as festivities go on to intrigue guests.

Grilled Lobster Claw and Tail

Grilled Lobster Claw and Tail

Ktown Night Market is a gathering of local vendors, food trucks, musicians and celebrities like Heesun Lee and Awkwafina. Wandering through the endless options of fusion food and never-ending lines, maybe you’re wondering what dishes to try. Perhaps Grilled Lobster or Sriracha Fried Shrimps from Claw ‘N Tail? Possibly Lamb Steak on a skewer? Yes, the tasty and tender savory goodness of grilled meats on a stick! Where else will you see diverse cultures walking around with handheld foods or that special something that’s a bit messier?

Making ramen

Making ramen

Okonomi Fries

Okonomi Fries

The sweet love I have for Japanese Fusion. I’m talking about Okamoto Kitchen’s crispy fries drizzled with Okonomiyaki-style Okonomi sauce. Made of Kewpie Mayo, aonori, greens, red ginger, and bonito flakes, the layers of flavor really get your taste buds’ attention. It’s mix of sweet, savory, and crispy all in one sloppy bite. The Kewpie Mayo’s delectable taste combined with the light airy french fry is a match made in heaven. If there were such a thing as french-fried love fused with Japanese cuisine, it would be “The Notebook” of foodie romances.

Cheeseburger Monster wrapped in Fried Potato Chips

Cheeseburger Monster wrapped in Fried Potato Chips

If you’re not an adventurous foodie, the Indiana Jones of the Fork, then opt for something like the Cheeseburger wrapped in Fried Potato Chips. This culinary creation is a beefy cheesy melted baby wrapped in a blanket of crunchy goodness. A person with a lesser heart could not handle this dish as the grease is a complimentary palate cleanser. While you’re at it, chow down on ramen, Korean BBQ, boba tea, and desserts like Matcha Milk Spread from Tak’s Dessert.

Tak's Dessert Matcha Spread

Tak's Dessert Matcha Spread

Kore Limited on-screen during the concert

Kore Limited on-screen during the concert

Pamper yourself with eyelash extensions

Pamper yourself with eyelash extensions

So you’re feeling full and satisfied. You wonder, “What else there is to do?” There are Carnival style games, making it a family-friendly event or fun date night. Ktown Night Market also hosts a variety of local businesses from Koreatown. Notable mentions include Kore Limited and Soaporo’s Natural Handmade Soaps. If you're running low on energy while dancing to musical guests such as Ashley Yoon and Coco Avenue, there is a remedy: drink Vision Smart’s Vision and Sport Sparkle Natural Energy Supplement. That juice will keep your rhythm flowing. Vendors provide attendees with a plethora of goods, catering to their many possible needs.

Vendor deep-frying sea cucumbers

Vendor deep-frying sea cucumbers

Deep-fried sea cucumbers

Deep-fried sea cucumbers

Whether you bite into a Deep Fried Sea Cucumber or something more adventurous, Ktown Night Market is certainly the standard for showcasing what Koreatown and the Greater L.A. Area has to offer. Foodies and people from all walks of life come together and enjoy this melting pot of cultural fusion food.

When's the next Ktown Night Market? Click here.


garrett t

When Garrett T. is not eating, he is writing foodie romance novels. Follow him on Twitter for his latest culinary adventures!


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Korean Phrases for Eating Street Food

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Korean Phrases for Eating Street Food

FEATURED PHRASES & WORDS:

안녕하세요!
Annyeonghaseyo!
Hello! (This formal greeting is used towards strangers and elders)

Anytime you want something, whether it be food or an item say, “Juseyo.” Which means, "Please give it to me." Place your desired noun before “juseyo.”

떡볶이 주세요.
Tteokbokki juseyo.
Please give me spicy rice cakes.

김밥 주세요.
Kimbap juseyo.
Please give me kimbap.

계란빵 주세요.
Gyeranbbang juseyo.
Please give me egg bread.

순대 주세요.
Sundae juseyo.
Please give me blood sausage.

붕어빵 주세요.
Boongeobbang juseyo.
Please give me carp-shaped pastry.

Let’s say you want ONE of something. Like ONE sweet Korean pancake. Then you’d say:

호떡 하나 주세요.
Hotteok hana juseyo.
Please give me one hotteok.

But what if you want two?

호떡 두개 주세요.
Hotteok doogae juseyo.
Please give me two hotteok.

If you don’t know the name of the food, then simplify your phrase by taking out the noun.

하나 주세요.
Hana juseyo.
Please give me one.

If you want two, three, four or more of an item, fill in the blank. Use the Native Korean number system, not the Sino-Korean Number System.

_____개 주세요.
_____gae juseyo.
Please give me _____ (pieces/units).

두개 주세요.
Doogae juseyo.
Please give me two.

세개 주세요.
Segae juseyo.
Please give me three.

네개 주세요.
Negae juseyo.
Please give me four.

다섯개 주세요.
Daseotgae juseyo.
Please give me five.

여섯개 주세요.
Yeoseotgae juseyo.
Please give me six.

If you don’t know the name of the item you want, point at the item and say:

이거 주세요.
Eguh juseyo.
Please give me this.

But maybe the item is a bit far from you. Then say:

저거 주세요.
Juhguh juseyo.
Please give me that.

Sometimes you pay a set price per item. Other times you give them a price first. This situation can occur when you buy sweet potatoes and chestnuts. 

5,000원 어치 주세요.
5,000 won eochi juseyo.
Please give me 5,000 won worth of it.

As the vendor prepares your food, you get your cash ready.

얼마예요?
Ulmayeyo?
How much is it?

The vendor hands you the food. Be polite and say:

감사합니다.
Gamsahapnida.
Thank you.

You have a bite of your amazing food. Woah, it is delicious. Let the vendor know.

맛있어요. 진짜 맛있어요.
Mashisseoyo. jinjja mashisseoyo.
It’s delicious. Really delicious.

As you leave, greet them goodbye with a slight bow.

안녕히 계세요.
Annyeonghee gaeseyo.
Goodbye. (Use if you are leaving and the other person is staying where they are.)

A couple hours later, you’re dreaming about that crispy boongeohbbang. You want more. Or maybe you wanna get some for your friend. Whatever the case, when you go back to the stall, you say with a smile:

또 왔습니다!
Ddo wasseubnida!
I’m back!

Here's a list of some popular Korean street foods:
순대 / soondae / blood sausage
떡볶이 / tteokbokki / spice cakes
붕어빵 / bungeoppang / carp-shaped pastry
김밥 / kimbap / Korean rolls
닭꼬치 / dalkggochi / chicken skewers
번데기 / beondegi / silkworm larvae
뽑기 / ppopgi / old-fashioned sugar candy
꿀타래 / kkultarae / dragon’s beard candy
계란빵 / gyeranbbang / egg bread
어묵 / eomuk / fishcake
고구마 / goguma / sweet potato
호떡 / hotteok / sweet Korean pancake



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31 Street Foods in Korea

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31 Street Foods in Korea

1. Stir-fried Ricecakes - 떡볶이 (tteokbokki)

1. Stir-fried Ricecakes - 떡볶이 (tteokbokki)

2. Blood Sausage - 순대 (soondae)

2. Blood Sausage - 순대 (soondae)

3. Korean Carp Bread - bungeoppang (붕어빵)

3. Korean Carp Bread - bungeoppang (붕어빵)

4. Kimbap - 김밥

4. Kimbap - 김밥

5. Fried Kimbap - 김밥 튀김 (kimbap twigim)

5. Fried Kimbap - 김밥 튀김 (kimbap twigim)

6. Long-coned Ice Cream. Enjoy even during chilly winter days!

6. Long-coned Ice Cream. Enjoy even during chilly winter days!

6b. Ice Cream Saxophone

6b. Ice Cream Saxophone

7. Chicken skewers - 닭꼬치 (dakkotchi)

7. Chicken skewers - 닭꼬치 (dakkotchi)

8. Steamed Silkworm Larvae - 번데기 (beondegi)

8. Steamed Silkworm Larvae - 번데기 (beondegi)

9. Old-Fashioned Sugar Candy - 뽑기 (ppopgi)

9. Old-Fashioned Sugar Candy - 뽑기 (ppopgi)

9b. Woman waiting for customers at her ppopgi stand.

9b. Woman waiting for customers at her ppopgi stand.

10. Dragon’s beard candy - 꿀타래 (kkultarae)

10. Dragon’s beard candy - 꿀타래 (kkultarae)

11. Fishcake-wrapped Sausage

11. Fishcake-wrapped Sausage

12. Bacon-wrapped sausage

12. Bacon-wrapped sausage

13. French Fry Corndog

13. French Fry Corndog

14. Egg Bread - 계란빵 (gyeran bbang)

14. Egg Bread - 계란빵 (gyeran bbang)

14b. Before the egg bread gets baked. Yolk swimming on the surface.

14b. Before the egg bread gets baked. Yolk swimming on the surface.

15. Walnut Dessert - 호두과자 (hodoo gwaja)

15. Walnut Dessert - 호두과자 (hodoo gwaja)

16. Cotton Candy - 솜사탕 (somsatang)

16. Cotton Candy - 솜사탕 (somsatang)

17. Fruit (i.e. strawberries) - 과일 (gwail)

17. Fruit (i.e. strawberries) - 과일 (gwail)

18. Fresh Pomegranate Juice - 석류 주스 (sungryu juseu)

18. Fresh Pomegranate Juice - 석류 주스 (sungryu juseu)

19. Meat Unlimited

19. Meat Unlimited

20. Korean-style Tacos - 타코 (taco)

20. Korean-style Tacos - 타코 (taco)

21. Eomuk (어묵) - aka: odeng

21. Eomuk (어묵) - aka: odeng

22. Sweet Potatoes - 고구마 (goguma)

22. Sweet Potatoes - 고구마 (goguma)

23. Smiley Face Fries - 스마일 감자 (seumail gamja)

23. Smiley Face Fries - 스마일 감자 (seumail gamja)

24. Dumplings - 만두 (mandoo)

24. Dumplings - 만두 (mandoo)

25. Sweet Korean Pancake - 호떡 (hotteok)

25. Sweet Korean Pancake - 호떡 (hotteok)

26. Twister Potatoes - 회오리감자 (hwaeori gamja)

26. Twister Potatoes - 회오리감자 (hwaeori gamja)

27. Corn - 옥수수 (oksusu)

27. Corn - 옥수수 (oksusu)

28. Dried Seafood (Squid & Octopus) - 건어물 (geoneomul)

28. Dried Seafood (Squid & Octopus) - 건어물 (geoneomul)

29. Gingko - 은행 (eunhaeng)

29. Gingko - 은행 (eunhaeng)

30. Chestnut - 밤 (bahm)

30. Chestnut - 밤 (bahm)

31. Traditional Korean Cookies

31. Traditional Korean Cookies

For the walking tour of the street foods in Myeongdong, watch KWOW episode 142.



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