Odeng (Korean Fish Cake)

If you ever find yourself in the streets of Seoul without a plan, here’s a mission you can scroll on your travel journal: binge on odeng. Odeng, or Korean fish cake, is fish paste mixed with starch, flour, rice wine, and seasoned with spices.

The real mission is not just to stuff your mouth with fish cake, but to try the different ways it is prepared.

The most common is skewered odeng submerged in warm, flavorful broth. Something similar but definitely much more filling and potent: served in broth with chopped chilies, green onions, and seasoned with gochujang –a cure for colds and hangovers. Deep-fried odeng is also a tasty find, especially when served with a mustard-ketchup sauce.

Here are the best places to have odeng in Seoul.

• GWANGJANG MARKET | Jongno-gu
  For Seoul’s best street food all in one place
  What to order: Odeng, Dumplings, Korean Pancakes
  Price range: 500 to 5,000 Won ($0.43 to $4.32)
  When: 11:00 – 23:00 Daily
  Where: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• MYEONG-DONG | Jung-gu
  For heavy snacking in between intense shopping
  What to order: Odeng, Stuffed Squid, Steamed Egg
  Price range: 500 to 5,000 Won ($0.43 to $4.32)
  When: 17:00 – 23:00 Daily
  Where: MRT Exit 5/6/7/8, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
• NAMDAEMUN MARKET | Jung-gu
  For massive stretches of street food carts
  What to order: Odeng, Red Bean Bun, Pork Knuckles
  Price range: 500 to 8,000 Won ($0.43 to $6.91)
  When: 10:30 - 02:00 Daily
  Where: 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Namchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul