A vendor is making bungeoppang at a stall in Dongseong-ro, Jung District, Daegu. (Yonhap)
DAEGU, South Korea, Jan. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — The once-familiar aroma of freshly baked fish-shaped pastries, known as bungeoppang, is becoming increasingly rare on South Korean streets this winter.
Strengthened enforcement against unauthorized street vending and soaring ingredient prices have led to a noticeable decline in these traditional winter snack stalls.
A recent survey of Daegu’s bustling Dongseong-ro and Gyodong districts on January 17, 2025, revealed a stark absence of bungeoppang vendors. Even with the help of location-based apps designed to guide users to nearby sellers, four recommended spots turned up empty.
Vendors, wary of intensified crackdowns, have resorted to frequently relocating, leaving no trace of their carts.
After 90 minutes of searching, only one vendor was found operating inside a small corner of a convenience store. A modest sign read, “Three red bean pastries for 2,000 won, three custard pastries for 2,000 won.”
Vendor Mr. A explained, “With rising costs of batter, LPG gas, and red beans, it’s impossible to sell at the old price of three for 1,000 won. A 5kg bag of batter now costs 11,000 won, and even if I sell everything, I barely make 33,000 won.”
He added, “Calculating by hourly wages, there’s hardly any profit. A 20kg LPG tank costs around 53,000 won and only lasts about five days.”
Former vendor Mr. Son, in his 30s, commented, “Selling in high-traffic areas with high volume could allow for cheaper prices, but with stricter crackdowns, it’s difficult to stay in one spot or build a steady customer base. That’s why I quit.”
In 2024, Daegu recorded 489 reports of illegal street vending across its nine districts. The situation escalated in Seoul after a popular bungeoppang vendor gained viral attention on social media, prompting a surge in complaints that eventually forced the vendor to close.
Public opinion on this trend is divided. Seo, a 30-year-old homemaker, expressed nostalgia: “As a child, I remember holding a warm bag of bungeoppang my parents bought me in winter. It’s sad to see that tradition fading. Cafes sell them now, but it’s not the same.”
Conversely, Lee, a 40-something office worker, supported stricter regulations: “More legally permitted vendors would improve hygiene and safety.”
A Daegu district official noted, “Illegal vending reports come in almost daily, so we conduct daily crackdowns. By law, we must impose fines ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 won.”
As winter deepens in 2025, the beloved street snack faces an uncertain future amid economic pressures and legal challenges.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
