5 Korean snacks K-pop stars love

In a scene from the hit Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," Zoey, a member of a fictional — but chart-topping in real-life — K-pop group Huntrix, hungrily gobbles down a bag of snacks. Though simply labeled potato chips in the film, any Korean viewer would instantly recognize the twisted sticks as Saeukkang, the beloved shrimp crackers from Korean food company Nongshim.

K-pop artists, whether real or fictional, are helping to fuel global interest in Korea’s food products, driving both buzz and sales.

To celebrate the trend, The Korea Times has compiled a list of Korean snacks that frequently appear in K-pop content and fan conversations around the world.

1. Saeukkang

Also known as Shrimp Crackers, Saeukkang is a classic Korean snack that has been around since 1971 and remains one of Nongshim’s most beloved global exports. The idea behind the product was to capture the savory salt-grilled shrimp flavor that Koreans love.

While "KPop Demon Hunters" recently boosted its profile, Mingi from ATEEZ is also a known fan of this snack. On First We Feast, a popular YouTube food channel, Mingi picked Hot & Spicy Saeukkang as his favorite snack. BLACKPINK’s Rose and fellow ATEEZ member Wooyoung also favored the spicy version over the original during a taste test on Snack Wars, a YouTube channel comparing snacks from around the world.

2. Banana Kick

First launched in 1978, Banana Kick is another iconic snack by Nongshim, offering the sweet flavor of bananas in a light, crunchy puff. Though bananas are now widely available in Korea, they were once considered a luxury due to limited imports in those days, making this snack popular.

Jennie from BLACKPINK turned this airy, banana-flavored puffed snack into a global phenomenon in March after she mentioned it as her favorite on "The Jennifer Hudson Show" in the U.S.

Jungkook of BTS is also known to be a fan, frequently spotted munching on this puffy treat.

3. Ppushu Ppushu

Ppushu Ppushu may resemble a packet of ramyeon (instant noodles) at first glance, but it’s actually a crunchy noodle snack meant to be eaten straight from the bag — no cooking required. Just crush the noodles, sprinkle on the seasoning, shake and eat. Produced by Ottogi since 1999, its name in Korean mimics the sound of crushing noodles.

Nayeon from TWICE and solo artist Jeon Somi have both declared it their favorite on YouTube channel First We Feast.

4. Choco Songyi

Known in English as Choco Boy, this snack features biscuit sticks topped with mushroom-shaped chocolate caps. Produced by Orion since 1984, it’s a nostalgic treat for many. Dahyun of TWICE and Giselle of girl group aespa are among its celebrity fans.

5. Pepero

Pepero are slender biscuit sticks coated with chocolate or other flavors. First introduced by Lotte Wellfood in 1983, the snack inspired Korea’s own version of Valentine’s Day: Pepero Day, celebrated on Nov. 11, thanks to the date’s resemblance to the shape of the sticks.

Although largely a marketing creation, Pepero Day has become a cultural mainstay among younger generations. Stray Kids currently serves as brand ambassadors, with limited-edition packages featuring all eight members flying off the shelves, and V of BTS is often spotted eating the snack.

Beyond these, a growing list of Korean snacks is gaining attention among global K-pop fans, thanks to their favorite idols enjoying them. Popular picks include Binch, a chocolate-covered cracker; Homerun Ball, bite-sized choux puffs filled with chocolate cream; and Honey Butter Chips, sweet and savory potato chips. And while not technically a snack, Buldak Ramen — Korea’s iconic spicy instant noodles — remains one of the country’s top food exports, beloved for its intense flavor.