Travelling or moving abroad can be both challenging and a form of adventure. You might crave the snacks you grew up with, but they don’t exist at your current location. What if you could find something similar to a snack swap that hits the same feeling but in a different way?

Whether you’re a Nigerian living in South Korea or a Korean visiting Nigeria, you can make convenient snack switches that make both worlds feel like home.

Puff-Puff ⇄ Kkwabaegi (Korean Doughnut)

The soft, deep-fried dough balls in Nigeria can pass as a substitute for a Korean craving for kkwabaegi because they are similar to the twisted doughnut covered in sugar. It is sometimes filled with sweet bean paste or custard.  Both snacks are street foods, are sweet, and give a doughy feeling.

Suya ⇄ Dak-kkochi (Korean Chicken Skewers)

A Nigerian in love with suya can replace the craving with Dak-kkochi because of the similar texture and smoky, juicy taste. Both are peppery and chewy street foods, which makes a perfect switch. If you miss suya’s heat in Korea, try dak-kkochi, and if you’re a Korean in Nigeria, suya might just give you that same peppery satisfaction.

Gala Sausage Roll ⇄ Sosiji-ppang (Korean Sausage Bread)

The iconic sausage roll is at almost every bus stop in Nigeria. It’s one of the meaty snacks for commuters. As a Nigerian, if you crave such in Korea, Sosiji-ppang is your best shot. The soft roll baked with a sausage inside is sometimes topped with ketchup, cheese, or mayonnaise. Although not as flaky as gala, it has a softer feel and gives the same meat-in-pastry snack feeling.

Plantain Chips ⇄  Goguma (Sweet Potato Chips)

Both chips have the crunchy, slightly sweet or savory fried taste. The only difference is the base ingredient, which is either plantain or potatoes.

LaCasera Apple Drink ⇄ Chilsung Cider

The Nigerian fizzy apple-flavored LaCasera drink is the perfect companion with any street snack. A Korean alternative is the lemon-lime soda Chilsung Cider. They might not be similar in taste, but they both have the bubbly texture that refreshes the palate.  

Instant Noodles ⇄ Ramyeon

Just like Ramyeon, Indomie is a national treasure. They are both quick to make, can be spicy, and are comforting. They can be paired with kimchi or boiled egg. If you’re a Nigerian in Korea, Shin Ramyeon or Samyang Hot Chicken noodles will feel familiar. If you’re Korean in Nigeria, indomitable will give you that same spicy rush.

Chin-Chin ⇄ Matdongsan (Korean Packaged Snack)

The Nigerian chin-chin is a small, crunchy, fried dough cube that is mildly sweet. They are similar to Matdongsan, which shares the same crunchy feeling. The nut-coated sticks are made from fried wheat dough, although they are longer in shape.

Roasted Corn & Groundnuts ⇄ Roasted Chestnuts (Gunbam) & Dried Squid (Ojingeo)

One of the popular street-side Nigerian snacks is corn and groundnuts. The warm and smoky snack is filling and similar to Gunbam and Ojingeo, which are popular Korean winter snacks. They both share the roasted flavor and are often eaten outdoors.

Zobo Drink ⇄ Omija-cha (Five-Flavour Tea)

Both Zobo and Omija-cha have the bright red or pink color. They can be served hot or cold based on preference. The teas both cleanse the body and energy because of the herbal tendencies of the ingredients. While Zobo is made from hibiscus flowers, Omija-cha is made from Omija berries, but they can pass for each other’s replacement.

Even with the difference in culture, there are similarities in food textures, recipes, and appearances that can fill in the gap. There’s often a local version of your cravings, so whether you are in Korea or Nigeria, you can still enjoy the equivalent of your favorite snacks!

Next time you travel, explore because you might find home in a bite you’ve never tried before.