Korean Corn Dogs: A Cheesy Delight from the Streets of Seoul

The popular batter-coated Korean corn dog is one of Asia’s most beloved snacks. It’s up there alongside tteokbokki, dakkochi, eumok, and other Korean street foods.

Also called “hot dogs” in Korea, the sweet, crunchy, and savory nature of these foods makes them really fun to eat. However, they’re not to be mistaken for American hot dogs.

Corn dogs first appeared in South Korea in the 1980s. Before then, they were already popular in the United States. Versions that emerged on the streets of Korea included other kinds of ingredients, such as wheat and rice flour.

The snack soon had a wide array of new versions, some including unique twists. Today, Korean corn dogs are enjoyed all over the world, including in the US.

In this post, we’ll explore the rise of Korean corn dogs, their delicious varieties, and how to make them at home.

What is a Korean Corn Dog? Unpacking the Snack

A Korean corn dog is a type of batter-coated hot dog, mozzarella cheese, fish cake, or rice cake. French fries, ramen, and panko are the common ingredients used in addition to the batter.

Korean corn dogs may have some similarities with traditional American corn dogs, but they have distinct recipes. Unlike American corn dogs that use cornmeal batter, Korean corn dogs use rice flour or wheat for the batter.

The result is two distinct-tasting but equally beloved snacks. Korean corn dogs also have a chewier texture than other kinds of corn dogs.

One of the reasons people like Korean corn dogs so much is their variety, which depends on the coatings and fillings used to make the snack.

The Rise of Korean Style Corn Dogs

Korean corn dogs became popular in South Korea during the 1980s. Filled with rice and fish cakes, they were the perfect snack for the bustling cities, where people would buy them at train stations and bus parks before heading to their destinations.

Like many traditional snacks from Korea, these corn dogs began to diversify and include Western twists. One of these twists included the use of mozzarella, a type of Italian cheese.

During the 21st century, Korean culture and cuisine began to cross borders, finding their way into Western countries. Korean corn dogs were not left out. The snack has become popular in countries like the US, which already has an existing version of theirs.

Today, Korean corn dogs maintain their status as traditional street food. However, modern takes, like the Bibigo Korean Corn Dogs: Mozzarella & Fish Sausage, are available for purchase online. Thousands of franchises that sell the snacks alongside other Asian food have also opened in foreign countries.

Street Food to Social Media: Korean Corn Dogs' Rise to Fame

Korean Corn Dogs' rise to global fame can be attributed to two factors. The first is the growing popularity of Korean culture and the second is social media. K-pop, k-drama, and k-food have amassed a massive global audience and fan base since the mid-2000s, a phenomenon commonly tagged the Korean wave or Hallyu.

These industries have improved South Korea’s reputation and gotten more people to appreciate the country’s unique traditions and meals.

It also helped that Korean corn dogs are aesthetically pleasing and photogenic. So when these k-food enthusiasts shared photos of the snacks on social media, a lot of their posts went viral, capturing the imagination of foodies and fueling the snack’s global popularity.

Soon, Korean corn dog franchises started to appear all over the US, and many of them received a warm welcome from customers.

Delicious Varieties: Exploring Korean Corn Dog Flavors

There’s a vast assortment of Korean corn dog varieties. The classic version, mostly filled with rice cake and coated with plain dry yeast, remains one of the best variants. However, these three varieties below are a must-try.

Korean Cheese Corn Dog: A Cheesy Twist on the Classic

This is a Korean corn dog variant typically filled with mozzarella, cream cheese, or cheddar. The use of cheese in the recipe gives the corn dogs a more stretchy and melty texture that takes the meal to a whole new level. Korean cheese corn dogs can be made with any kind of coating or batter.

Potato Corn Dog: Crispy Goodness with Every Bite

This is also known as gamja hot dogeu (potato hot dog). Potatoes are cut into small cubes and used as a coating for the corn dogs. This recipe forms a lumpy surface, causing many locals to nickname the snack motnani hot dogeu (ugly hot dog). Despite their appearance, you’ll love their intense crispiness.

Ramen Corn Dog: The Perfect Asian Crunch 

This type of Korean corn dog uses crushed ramen noodles as a topping. People rely on ramen noodle toppings to add extra crunch to their hot dogs, irrespective of the filling or coating used.

Korean cheese corn dogs coated with crispy potatoes are one of the best combos in the Asian snacking world. Try Pulmuone Potato and Mozzarella Corn Dogs to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Where to Find Korean Corn Dogs: From Seoul to Your City

You can find Korean corn dogs by visiting street food markets in Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, and other major cities in the country. Check your local area for Korean restaurants, grocery stores, and street food vendors because many of them offer Korean corn dogs, even in foreign countries.

In the US, the Kong Dog franchise has locations all over the country where they sell different varieties of Korean corn dogs. Alternatively, you can order frozen corn dog options on Bokksu Market, no matter your location. From cheddar and fish sausage to mozzarella and potatoes, we’ve got all kinds of tasty flavors.

Making Korean Corn Dogs at Home: A Simple Recipe

Anyone can recreate this snack in their own kitchen using our basic recipe for homemade Korean-style corn dogs below. All you need are hot dog, panko (dried breadcrumbs), mozzarella cheese, and batter ingredients.

1. Cut hot dogs in half and cut the cheese into sticks that match the size of the cut hot dog.

2. Keep them in the fridge.

3. Make the batter by mixing milk, flour, raw egg,sugar, salt, and baking powder in a bowl until smooth.

4. Pour the batter into a tall cup and keep it in the fridge.

5. Use the stick to coat the hot dog in batter and then in panko.

6. Add the hot dogs to hot oil at temperatures of 350°F–375°F, and allow them to fry until they turn golden and crispy.

7. Remove and drain the deep-fried hot dogs. Your Korean corn dog is ready to be served with mustard or ketchup.

The Secret to the Perfect Crunch: Batter and Coatings

Korean corn dogs are typically crunchy and flavorful thanks to deep-frying. The type of toppings used also determines the level of crunch you get. For instance, topping with panko breadcrumbs offers a mild but flavorful crunch, while topping with crushed ramen noodles will make the snack even crunchier.

Other crunchy options for coating Korean corn dogs are conflakes, french fries, and dried seaweed. For a start, we recommend the highly customizable J-Basket Panko Bread Crumbs.

Dipping Sauces and Toppings: Customizing Your Corn Dog

The best dipping sauces and toppings to complement Korean corn dogs are Sriracha chili sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, soy ginger dressing, honey mustard, granulated sugar, gochujang, nacho cheese, and teriyaki sauce.

 

Pairing Korean Corn Dogs with Other Korean Dishes

Pair Korean corn dogs with classic Korean staples such as kimchi, Korean fried chicken, tofu, japchae, and tteokbokki to complement the savory and indulgent nature of the corn dogs.

Enhance the experience further with refreshing fruits like apples, pineapples, or grapes, or opt for traditional Korean beverages like sikhye, miso, Korean beer, or banana-flavored milk to balance the flavors and textures.

Whether you're seeking a savory, spicy, or sweet accompaniment, these pairings promise to elevate your culinary journey with Korean corn dogs.

Why Korean Corn Dogs Are More Than Just a Trend

As long as food enthusiasts keep inventing new variations, Korean corn dogs will maintain their status as a creative and delicious contribution to the world of street food. Don’t wait too long to get your first taste of this delicious snack.