| Jjondeugi | |
| Name Italics: | true |
| Place Of Origin: | South Korea |
Jjondeugi ([1], or [2]) is a type of Korean snack food that was popular around the 1960s to 1970s. It is a fried food made from a variety of ingredients, although namely wheat flour and corn starch.[3] What is shared amongst the varieties is the chewy texture of the food; the food is even named after this chewiness ("" means "chewy"). It is generally sweet or salty or both.[4]
It was commonly sold in stationery stores near schools, and was popular as a cheap snack for students.[5] The food has seen a resurgence in popularity as a nostalgia food.
It has a significant variety of flavors and regional varieties.[6] Various brands for and flavors of the snack now exist. Flavorings include wasabi, glutinous barley, mugwort,[7] mala,[8] and even ramen soup powder.[9] Sometimes there can be multiple flavorings on different parts of a single piece of jjondeugi for a varied eating experience.[10]
It can be grilled in an oven, over a yeontan,[11] or even in an air fryer. It has been described as an anju (food consumed with alcohol).