[Korean Culture & Language] Carp Pastries in Winter


Hello, this is Uptempo Marketers!


붕어빵 (Bungeo-ppang) is one of the most popular winter street foods in Korea. 붕어(Bungeo) means carp, and 빵(ppang) means bread.


It is a fish-shaped pastry filled with sweetened red bean paste and is cooked on a device that looks like a waffle iron with a fish-shaped mold. They are usually sold at street booths and only cost around KRW 1,000 for three pieces. 


https://m.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2020122213070005643


These steaming pastries on the street become even more popular in the winter, especially because colder weather lowers our body temperature and stimulates our appetite. Eating does contribute to the production of internal heat and a rise in body temperature.

Since they are all made from the same mold, they look similar to each other. So, Koreans say ‘둘이 붕어빵이다 (You two are like the carp pastries)’ to express how closely two people resemble each other.

Ex) 너는 너희 아버지와 붕어빵이다!
You and your dad are like the carp pastries = You resemble your dad so much!


붕어빵 is so popular in Korea that there’s even a 붕어빵 심리테스트 (carp pastry personality test):

붕어

It reads: Which section of the 붕어빵 do you eat first?
1. Its head
2. Its stomach
3. Its fins
4. Its tail
5. Break it in half and eat the head first
6. Break it in half and eat the tail first


Below is the result of the personality test:

붕어2

1. You’re open-minded and popular among your opposite-sex friends. However, you can be too stubborn and competitive.
2. You’re a go-getter who enjoys exercising. Sometimes you’re a little too naïve, though.
3. You’re friendly, calm, and empathetic. You enjoy your alone time.
4. You’re cautious and considerate. You’re bad at picking up hints.
5. You’re competitive and good at completing a task. Saying no is hard for you.
6. You’re an economical and lovable person. However, you can be too frugal at times.


Which part of 붕어빵 do you bite into first?

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