Exploring the world of Korean snacks is a delightful experience, offering a wide range of unique flavors and textures. This guide provides essential Korean words and phrases for discussing, tasting, and buying Korean snacks (과자 – gwa-ja). Learn how to express your preferences, describe tastes, and navigate snack shopping in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 한국 과자 맛보기
Pronunciation: han-guk gwa-ja mat-bo-gi
Meaning: Tasting Korean snacks (lit. Korean snack taste-seeing)
Basic Snack Vocabulary
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Expression: 과자
Pronunciation: gwa-ja
Meaning: Snack, cracker, cookie -
Expression: 사탕
Pronunciation: sa-tang
Meaning: Candy -
Expression: 초콜릿
Pronunciation: cho-kol-lit
Meaning: Chocolate -
Expression: 젤리
Pronunciation: jel-li
Meaning: Jelly, gummy candy -
Expression: 아이스크림
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-keu-rim
Meaning: Ice cream -
Expression: 빵
Pronunciation: ppang
Meaning: Bread (often includes sweet pastries/buns considered snacks) -
Expression: 음료수
Pronunciation: eum-nyo-su
Meaning: Beverage, drink (often bought with snacks) -
Expression: 맛
Pronunciation: mat
Meaning: Taste, flavor -
Expression: 맛있다
Pronunciation: ma-sit-da
Meaning: To be delicious -
Expression: 맛없다
Pronunciation: ma-deop-da
Meaning: To be not delicious, taste bad -
Expression: 간식
Pronunciation: gan-sik
Meaning: Snack (general term, often eaten between meals) -
Expression: 신상 과자
Pronunciation: sin-sang gwa-ja
Meaning: New snack product
Phrases for Tasting
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Expression: 이거 한번 먹어볼래요?
Pronunciation: i-geo han-beon meo-geo-bol-lae-yo?
Meaning: Do you want to try this? (lit. Shall we try eating this once?) -
Expression: 한번 맛보세요.
Pronunciation: han-beon mat-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please try it (once). / Have a taste. -
Expression: 무슨 맛이에요?
Pronunciation: mu-seun ma-si-e-yo?
Meaning: What flavor is it? / What does it taste like? -
Expression: 이거 맛있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo ma-si-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is this delicious? -
Expression: 와, 진짜 맛있어요!
Pronunciation: wa, jin-jja ma-si-sseo-yo!
Meaning: Wow, it’s really delicious! -
Expression: 제 입맛에는 좀 안 맞아요.
Pronunciation: je im-ma-se-neun jom an ma-ja-yo.
Meaning: It doesn’t quite suit my taste. -
Expression: 이 과자 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i gwa-ja i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s the name of this snack? -
Expression: 하나 더 먹어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: ha-na deo meo-geo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I have one more? -
Expression: 이거 어디서 샀어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-di-seo sa-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where did you buy this? -
Expression: 이 맛 처음 먹어봐요.
Pronunciation: i mat cheo-eum meo-geo-bwa-yo.
Meaning: It’s the first time I’m trying this flavor. -
Expression: 생각보다 괜찮네요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-bo-da gwaen-chan-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s better than I thought. -
Expression: 이거 추천해요!
Pronunciation: i-geo chu-cheon-hae-yo!
Meaning: I recommend this!
Describing Flavors and Textures
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Expression: 달콤해요 (달아요).
Pronunciation: dal-kom-hae-yo (da-ra-yo).
Meaning: It’s sweet. -
Expression: 짭짤해요 (짜요).
Pronunciation: jjap-jjal-hae-yo (jja-yo).
Meaning: It’s salty/savory. -
Expression: 매콤해요 (매워요).
Pronunciation: mae-kom-hae-yo (mae-wo-yo).
Meaning: It’s spicy. -
Expression: 새콤해요 (셔요).
Pronunciation: sae-kom-hae-yo (syeo-yo).
Meaning: It’s sour/tangy. -
Expression: 고소해요.
Pronunciation: go-so-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s nutty/savory (like sesame oil or roasted nuts). -
Expression: 바삭바삭해요.
Pronunciation: ba-sak-ba-sak-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s crispy/crunchy. -
Expression: 쫄깃쫄깃해요.
Pronunciation: jjol-git-jjol-git-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s chewy. -
Expression: 부드러워요.
Pronunciation: bu-deu-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s soft. -
Expression: 딱딱해요.
Pronunciation: ttak-tta-kae-yo.
Meaning: It’s hard. -
Expression: 느끼해요.
Pronunciation: neu-kki-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s greasy/oily/rich (sometimes in a negative sense). -
Expression: 담백해요.
Pronunciation: dam-bae-kae-yo.
Meaning: It’s light/plain/not greasy (often positive). -
Expression: 독특한 맛이에요.
Pronunciation: dok-teu-kan ma-si-e-yo.
Meaning: It has a unique taste.
Shopping for Snacks
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Expression: 이 과자 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i gwa-ja eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this snack? -
Expression: 가장 인기 있는 과자가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang in-gi it-neun gwa-ja-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the most popular snack? -
Expression: 추천해 주실 만한 과자 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han gwa-ja i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any snacks you would recommend? -
Expression: 단맛 과자 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: dan-mat gwa-ja jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like sweet snacks. -
Expression: 짠맛 과자 있어요?
Pronunciation: jjan-mat gwa-ja i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have salty snacks? -
Expression: 이거 두 개 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo du gae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me two of these. -
Expression: 봉투 필요하세요?
Pronunciation: bong-tu pi-ryo-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you need a bag? (Often asked by cashier) -
Expression: 네, 봉투 하나 주세요. / 아니요, 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: ne, bong-tu ha-na ju-se-yo. / a-ni-yo, gwaen-cha-na-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please give me one bag. / No, it’s okay (I don’t need one). -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geu-meu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 이거 세일 상품인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geo se-il sang-pu-min-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this item on sale?
Korean Culture Notes
Sharing is Caring: In Korea, it’s very common to buy snacks not just for oneself but also to share with friends, colleagues, or family. Offering snacks is a friendly gesture. If someone offers you a snack, it’s polite to accept it with thanks (감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) and perhaps try it.
Unique Flavors: Korean snacks often feature unique flavor combinations that might be new to foreigners, such as sweet corn, honey butter, shrimp, red bean, or even spicy flavors in chips and crackers. Be adventurous and try different things!
Convenience Store Heaven: Korean convenience stores (편의점 – pyeo-nui-jeom) are treasure troves for snacks. They offer an incredible variety, including exclusive items and frequent “2+1” or “1+1” deals (buy two get one free, or buy one get one free).
Snack Packaging: Korean snack packaging is often colorful and eye-catching. Sometimes snacks come in large multi-packs intended for sharing or individual portion sizes perfect for a quick treat.
Gift Giving: Nicely packaged snack assortments can be given as casual gifts, especially when visiting someone’s home or as a small token of appreciation.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sarah (B), are at Minjun’s home trying some Korean snacks he bought.
Roles:
A: Minjun (Offering snacks)
B: Sarah (Trying snacks)
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Expression: A: 사라 씨, 이 과자 한번 맛보세요. 새로 나온 거예요.
Pronunciation: sa-ra ssi, i gwa-ja han-beon mat-bo-se-yo. sae-ro na-on geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Sarah, please try this snack. It’s a new one. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다. 이게 뭐예요? 무슨 맛이에요?
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. i-ge mwo-ye-yo? mu-seun ma-si-e-yo?
Meaning: Yes, thank you. What is this? What flavor is it? -
Expression: A: 이건 꿀버터 아몬드예요. 달콤하고 고소해요.
Pronunciation: i-geon kkul-beo-teo a-mon-deu-ye-yo. dal-kom-ha-go go-so-hae-yo.
Meaning: This is honey butter almond. It’s sweet and savory/nutty. -
Expression: B: (먹어보고) 와, 진짜 맛있네요! 바삭바삭하고 맛이 독특해요.
Pronunciation: (meo-geo-bo-go) wa, jin-jja ma-sin-ne-yo! ba-sak-ba-sa-ka-go ma-si dok-teu-kae-yo.
Meaning: (After trying) Wow, it’s really delicious! It’s crunchy and has a unique taste. -
Expression: A: 그렇죠? 이것도 먹어볼래요? 이건 좀 매콤한 새우 과자예요.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-cho? i-geot-do meo-geo-bol-lae-yo? i-geon jom mae-kom-han sae-u gwa-ja-ye-yo.
Meaning: Right? Do you want to try this too? This is a slightly spicy shrimp snack. -
Expression: B: 네, 좋아요. (먹어보고) 음, 이것도 맛있어요! 짭짤하고 매콤하네요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. (meo-geo-bo-go) eum, i-geot-do ma-si-sseo-yo! jjap-jjal-ha-go mae-kom-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please. (After trying) Hmm, this is delicious too! It’s savory and spicy. -
Expression: A: 다행이네요. 한국 과자 좋아하시는 것 같아요!
Pronunciation: da-haeng-i-ne-yo. han-guk gwa-ja jo-a-ha-si-neun geot ga-ta-yo!
Meaning: That’s a relief. It seems like you like Korean snacks! -
Expression: B: 네, 정말 맛있어요! 다음에 마트에 가면 저도 사봐야겠어요.
Pronunciation: ne, jeong-mal ma-si-sseo-yo! da-eu-me ma-teu-e ga-myeon jeo-do sa-bwa-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, they’re really delicious! Next time I go to the mart, I should buy some too.
Practice Tips
Ready to explore the tasty world of Korean snacks? Here are some fun ways to practice~! Visit a local Korean mart or convenience store and try identifying different types of snacks using the vocabulary you learned. Challenge yourself to buy a snack using only Korean phrases! When you try a new snack, practice describing its taste and texture in Korean, even if just to yourself. Sharing snacks with friends is also a great way to practice offering and reacting in Korean. Enjoy your Korean snack adventure! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
