If you’re a fan of discovering hidden foodie havens, you’re in for a treat! Today, we’re excited to introduce a slightly underrated yet absolutely delectable Korean snack bar. Don’t let its small size fool you—this cozy spot serves up some of Korea’s most popular street foods like duk-bok-ki (spicy rice cakes), along with household favorites such as dolsot (stone pot bibimbap) and a variety of kimbap rice rolls.
Korean street food, or bunshik (粉食), usually refers to flour-based treats like steamed dumplings and ramen, but this restaurant also offers a fantastic selection of lighter, non-flour-based snacks like kimbap. The best part? It’s quite affordable, offering hearty meals that don’t compromise on flavor. You can find these small eateries all over Korea, often serving locals who pop in for a quick, flavorful bite—whether it’s a casual lunch or a late-night craving.
Restaurant Profile
- Name of the Restaurant: SEOULFOOD (incl. menu)
- Adress: Weserstraße 17, 60329 Frankfurt am Main
- Style: Korean Cuisine
- Price: around 15 – 20 EUR per Person (incl. drinks and tips)
This little gem is run by Koreans and frequented by locals, so you know you’re in for an authentic experience. And yes, many Koreans love their food spicy, and this place doesn’t shy away! But don’t worry—if spice isn’t your thing, they have milder options or adjustable sauces. With a menu full of deliciousness, it’s hard to go wrong here. Let us walk you through a few of our favorites!
Let’s start with something small yet inviting: the S4 Gimmari. This delightful Korean snack is vegetarian and made with delicate egg skin and seaweed, encasing a filling of glass noodles.
The outside is wonderfully crispy, while the inside remains soft and tender. For this dish, the vinegar-soy dip is a classic pairing. Blended with a touch of sugar and sesame oil, this sauce strikes the perfect balance of savory, sweet and sour notes, enhancing the subtle sweetness and umami of the filling beautifully.
Next up is a dish that packs some serious heat: Jjamppong, one of the signature dishes at SEOULFOOD. This spicy kimchi noodle soup features tender noodles swimming in a red broth made from pickled napa cabbage (kimchi) and a fiery blend of chili powder.
But it’s not just heat—it’s a deep, smoky spiced flavor that lingers. The broth begins with a rich, savory stock, similar to a pork bone soup, giving it a robust base. The kimchi adds a tangy, fermented sourness that cuts through the richness, while a subtle sweetness from sautéed vegetables rounds out the spice. The final layer comes from the briny taste of fresh seafood like shrimps, calamari, octopus, mussels and clams, adding a depth of umami. It’s bold and brimming with flavor, definitely a dish for those who love a bit of a kick in their meal!
Kimbap (Korean rice rolls) may look like sushi at first glance, but the experience is entirely different. Unlike sushi, kimbap rice is seasoned with sesame oil and salt, giving it a richer, nuttier flavor. The fillings are usually cooked or pickled, not raw, and the rolls are packed with hearty ingredients like meats, eggs, and vegetables. A spot-on example is the K3 Jeyuk Kimbap we tried.
Inside the seaweed wrap, you’ll find tender pork marinated in a spicy chili sauce, paired with crunchy pickled radish, crisp cucumber, fluffy egg, sweet carrots, and seasoned white rice. Each bite brings a pleasant mix of sweet, spicy, and savory, with the refreshing crunch of the vegetables enhancing the soft, flavorful pork. It’s not overly spicy—just enough to give a gentle, warming heat that makes it both soothing and satisfying.
Ramyun, the popular Korean instant noodles, is a staple at any Korean snack shop, known for its bouncy, chewy texture and bold flavors. At SEOULFOOD, you can customize your ramyun by adding ingredients like kimchi, dumplings, or eggs. We opted for dumplings.
The noodles come coated in a spicy seasoning powder that delivers a punch of heat right from the first bite. The vegetarian flakes and meat extracts mixed in add a subtle depth, blending the spice with savory umami flavors. The broth itself is rich, with warm, tingling sensation that many find addictive, especially those who love heat.
The dumplings, filled with a combination of minced vegetables and glass noodles, are soft and appetizing. Pairing this dish with a roll of kimbap is a classic move—tempering the spiciness of the Ramyun and creating a balance of flavors.
Dolsot, the main offering at SEOULFOOD, is one of Korea’s most iconic and comforting dishes – a sizzling version of bibimbap (mixed rice dish) served in a hot stone bowl that keeps the food warm while creating that crispy layer of rice at the bottom. It’s topped with seasoned vegetables like carrots, bean sprouts, zucchini, pickled radish, long green beans, and a raw egg that cooks as you stir everything together.
At SEOULFOOD, you can customize your dolsot with a variety of ingredients.
For the base, you can choose between white, black, or fried rice. Black rice is the healthier choice, with a chewy texture, mild sweetness, and a deep purple hue. Not only does it look good, but it’s also packed with more nutrients and antioxidants than white rice, making it a great option if you’re after something heartier and healthier.
Toppings are very tempting: beef, pork, chicken, tofu, kimchi, salmon, or seafood, available for a small surcharge. The traditional beef and kimchi combo offers a delicious mix of savory and tangy flavors—the tender, marinated beef brings a rich umami taste, while the kimchi adds a spicy, fermented sourness that balances the richness.
SEOULFOOD also offers a variety of sauces to complete the dish. Chokohot delivers deep chili heat with a smoky undertone, while Citrus-Soy gives you a tangy, umami kick. Cucumber-Wasabi is refreshing with a sharp, spicy kick from the wasabi, while Sesame provides a nutty, toasted flavor that adds depth. For spice lovers, we’d recommend Kohot. It’s a bold, fiery option that adds lingering heat, perfect with the marinated beef and crispy rice. If you prefer something milder, Ssamjang, one of the classic condiments, is a savory paste with a mild spice, offering a rich, earthy flavor that pairs well with the vegetables and rice.
The beauty of Dolsot is its versatility. You can mix and match ingredients—like tofu for a vegetarian version or seafood for a lighter take—and still enjoy a hearty, wholesome meal filled with nutritious vegetables and protein.
Duk-bok-ki is a cherished Korean street food consisting of chewy long rice cakes, tender fish cakes, and fresh spring onions, all simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce.
The magic of duk-bok-ki lies in its sauce, made from gochujang (Korean chili paste), sugar, and various seasonings. This sauce delivers a unique sweet-spicy flavor, with a rich depth that makes every bite both fiery and exhilarating. The glossy sauce clings beautifully to the chewy rice cakes and soft, spongy fish cake, enhancing their natural flavors. The subtle sweet, briny fish flavors complement the bold sauce, while the spring onions add a refreshing sharpness that brightens the dish. This appetizing creation is a must-try for anyone eager to explore the lure of Korean street food!
Japchae is a beloved Korean noodle dish. Made with stir-fried glass noodles (called dangmyeon) and a colorful array of vegetables including carrots, bean sprouts, spinach, and green beans, it’s a vegan dish that’s full of flavor.
The noodles are soft, yet impressively elastic, fully absorbing the soy sauce without breaking, giving them a rich umami and a unique chewiness. What sets Japchae apart is its peppery, savory flavor, complimented by the natural sweetness of the vegetables. It’s both light and comforting – ideal for anyone who prefers milder meals.
Bulgogi and Korean fried chicken are practically household names in Korean cuisine. Bulgogi, known for its tender, marinated beef, brings a rich, sweet, and savory flavor. The marinade, made with soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil, gives the beef a slightly smoky, caramelized taste that’s very enticing. The Korean fried chicken, on the other hand, is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a sweet yet spicy kick.
At SEOULFOOD, you’ll find plenty of rice dishes paired with bulgogi, fried chicken, tofu, seafood, or pork at your choice.
But here’s a tip: if you want both bulgogi and fried chicken in one go, check out the G3 Best of Both. You’ll get tender bulgogi alongside crispy chicken on one plate. It’s served on a bed of crispy fried potato chips with your choice of spicy chili sauce, yogurt sauce, or both. If you prefer rice – you can swap it in, just like we did. It’s a terrific way to enjoy both classics in a single dish!
SEOULFOOD delights with a tempting array of Korean street food worth trying, including Gunmandu (Korean dumplings), Kimchi Jeon (savory kimchi pancakes), and Yachae Tykim (fried vegetable pancakes). Their main dishes, like Bibimbap (a mixed rise bowl) and Kimbap (Korean rice rolls), excellently embody the Korean nutritional philosophy of “five colors and five flavors,” which encourages incorporating a variety of colorful foods into everyday diet. You’ll also find various soups—spicy or mild, with or without meat—available in large or small sizes, well-suited for pairing with main noodles or rice dishes for a comforting meal. With reasonably priced options and a great selection of iconic dishes, this cozy little eatery makes it very easy to explore the rich flavors of Korean cuisine.
