길거리 음식
gilgeori eumsik[kiɭk͈ʌ̹ɾi ɯmɕʰik̚]
The English phrase street food is translated into Korean as 길거리 음식 (gilgeori eumsik).
길거리 음식 is used to refer to food obtainable from a streetside vendor. You can also use the term 노점 음식, which literally means 'stall food', to refer to the same concept.
Meaning: food obtainable from a streetside vendor (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 길거리 음식 is a compound of 길거리 (street) and 음식 (food).
How do you pronounce it?
gilgeori eumsik
Did you know?
- The word 음식 (eumsik) actually contains the Hanja 飮, which specifically refers to 'drinking', making the literal translation 'drink-eat' food.
- If you are looking for street food in a specific area, you might ask for 포장마차 (pojangmacha) food, which refers to the traditional orange-tented mobile carts.
- In Korean, many popular 'street foods' like 'tteokbokki' are technically considered 'snacks' called 간식 (gansik) rather than a full meal.
Examples in context
- 당신이 가장 좋아하는 길거리 음식은 뭔가요?What is your favourite street food?This sentence is useful for asking someone about their favorite 길거리 음식.Tatoeba #11107003 by intertime, translation #7801420 by sundown
- 저기요, 이 근처에 길거리 음식이 팔리나요?Excuse me, do they sell street food around here?
- 한국의 길거리 음식을 좋아해요!I love Korean street food!
- 떡볶이 하나 주세요.One plate of spicy rice cakes, please.
- 저는 길거리 음식을 정말 좋아해요.jeoneun gilgeori eomsigeul jeongmal joahae-yo.I really love street food.
- 이 길거리 음식은 정말 맛있어요.i gilgeori eomsigeun jeongmal masisseoyo.This street food is really delicious.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are walking through a night market.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 저 길거리 음식 좀 보세요!Seoyeon ssi, jeo gilgeori eumsik jom boseyo!Seoyeon, look at that street food!
- 서연 Seo-yeon와, 진짜 맛있어 보여요.wa, jinjja masisseo boyeoyo.Wow, it looks really delicious.
- 민준 Min-jun우리 이것도 한번 먹어볼까요?uri igeotdo hanbeon meogeobolkkayo?Shall we try eating this too?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 좋아요. 민준 씨가 골라주세요.ne, joayo. Minjun ssi-ga golrajuseyo.Yes, sounds good. Minjun, please pick one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “street food” translations and entries 길거리 음식, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 길거리, 길거리 음식, 음식, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
