Still Craving Dalgona? Where to Buy the Squid Game Candy in Seoul (2026)

You’ve seen it on your screens, probably tried to make it, and definitely remember the high-stakes game from Squid Game. I’m talking about dalgona candy, that fragile, sweet, honeycomb treat that took the world by storm. So, if you’re coming to Seoul right now, in June 2026, and wondering, "Where can I find dalgona candy from Squid Game?" – here’s the straightforward answer: you can still find it, but it’s mostly a novelty for tourists now, not the local craze it once seemed.

Still Searching? Where to Actually Buy Dalgona Candy in 2026

If you're determined to get your hands on some dalgona (달고나), also known as ppopgi (뽑기) in its more traditional form, your best bet is to head to the usual tourist hotspots. The immediate post-Squid Game explosion saw vendors pop up everywhere, but as of 2026, that has significantly scaled back. You’ll find the most consistent options in areas frequented by international visitors, where the nostalgia and foreign curiosity keep the demand alive.

Specifically, look for street vendors in places like Myeongdong (명동) and Insadong (인사동). In Myeongdong, where tourists flock for skincare and trendy clothes, you might spot a small cart or a corner stall, especially in the evenings. The prices typically range from 3,000 to 5,000 won (roughly $2.20-$3.70 USD) for a piece, often with the option to try the 'game' yourself. Insadong, known for its traditional crafts and tea houses, also has a few permanent souvenir shops that stock pre-made dalgona, often packaged. These aren't the same as the fresh-made street version, but they're a convenient grab-and-go option.

Beyond the streets, you might stumble upon dalgona-themed items in larger souvenir shops or even some specialty cafes that lean into Korean retro aesthetics. Occasionally, you’ll find DIY dalgona kits in large supermarkets like E-mart or Lotte Mart, or online through local delivery apps like Coupang (쿠팡), though these are usually for Koreans who want a nostalgic activity rather than a daily snack. For foreigners wanting to buy dalgona candy from Squid Game to take home, the packaged versions in tourist areas are your safest bet. Just don't expect a vendor on every corner like it was in 2021.

In my office, when a foreign client visits, they sometimes ask about dalgona, and I'll direct them to Myeongdong. It's become part of the 'Korean experience' package for visitors, but I haven't seen a local coworker buy a piece in years. It’s definitely not part of my daily commute or a spontaneous snack choice anymore.

Point: Dalgona is now primarily a tourist-oriented souvenir, found in specific high-traffic areas, rather than a widespread local treat.

The Squid Game Hype vs. Real Dalgona (Ppopgi) Culture

Let’s be honest: Squid Game amplified dalgona (달고나) into a global sensation, but it also painted a slightly skewed picture of its place in Korean culture. The high-stakes game depicted in the show was a dramatic exaggeration for TV; the reality of ppopgi (뽑기), as we Koreans know it, was far simpler and more innocent.

Ppopgi was a cheap, sugary street snack from my childhood. Imagine a small cart with a vendor, a simple burner, and a few metal molds. Kids would gather, pick a shape – a star, a circle, a triangle – and for a few hundred won (less than a dollar even back then), you’d get a piece of dalgona. The game wasn't about life or death, but about carefully ppopgi-ing (뽑기하다) – literally 'picking out' or 'pitting out' – the shape without breaking the outer candy. If you succeeded, you might get another piece for free, or a small toy prize. It was a test of patience and fine motor skills, a rite of passage for many Korean kids.

When Squid Game exploded, it brought a flood of nostalgia for Koreans, but also a chuckle. The show's version was intensely difficult, almost impossibly thin, and of course, had deadly consequences. The dalgona we grew up with was a bit thicker, more forgiving. My coworkers and I shared stories of our childhood ppopgi triumphs and failures after the show aired. We even tried making some in the office kitchen during a team-building exercise – it was a sticky, chaotic mess, but fun. It was a brief, fun moment, but the local excitement quickly faded. The candy itself is extremely sweet, sticky, and can be messy to eat. It’s not really an adult snack, and certainly not something you’d casually eat on the subway.

Point: Squid Game turned a simple, nostalgic childhood street game into a global, exaggerated spectacle, making foreigners think it was a bigger deal for adult Koreans than it ever truly was.

Why Dalgona Isn't a Local Obsession Anymore (If It Ever Was)

For many foreigners, dalgona became synonymous with Korea overnight thanks to Squid Game. But for us Koreans, it’s always been more of a fleeting, nostalgic memory rather than a staple. The truth is, the local obsession with dalgona, if you can even call it that, was very brief and largely driven by the sheer global attention. As of June 2026, its cultural moment has definitely passed among locals.

Think about it: dalgona is essentially burnt sugar with a hint of baking soda. It's intensely sweet, sticks to your teeth, and can be quite brittle. While the novelty of ppopgi as a childhood game was fun, the candy itself isn't a gourmet experience or a daily indulgence for adults. We have so many other incredible, diverse, and constantly evolving snacks and desserts in Korea that dalgona simply can't compete with on a regular basis.

When Squid Game first aired, everyone was talking about dalgona. Cafes briefly offered dalgona lattes (coffee topped with crushed dalgona), and DIY kits flew off the shelves. It was a fun, temporary trend, like any other viral food item. But Korea's food scene moves at palli-palli (빨리빨리 — the hurry-hurry, do-it-now mindset) speed. What's hot today is old news tomorrow. The attention shifted quickly to other things. Locals are always looking for the next big thing, the newest dessert craze, the most innovative convenience store snack.

I remember during one hoesik (회식 — the after-work company dinner), my manager, totally caught up in the Squid Game hype, even bought a huge batch of dalgona for us to play the game after dinner. It was hilarious, but the sticky mess and sugar rush meant nobody was asking for a repeat. We joked about it for a week, then moved on. It perfectly encapsulates how fleeting these trends are for us.

Point: Dalgona's appeal to Koreans was largely nostalgic and short-lived, quickly overshadowed by Korea's fast-paced, ever-evolving culinary trends.

Beyond Dalgona: What Koreans Are Actually Eating Right Now (June 2026)

If you're truly curious about what's hot on the streets of Seoul right now, in June 2026, you need to look beyond dalgona. Korea's food scene is a dynamic, delicious beast that constantly reinvents itself. While dalgona holds a special place in our nostalgic hearts, the real action is elsewhere.

One of the biggest, most persistent trends right now is tanghulu (탕후루). You'll see lines of young people outside tanghulu shops everywhere, especially in bustling areas like Hongdae (홍대) and Gangnam (강남). These are fresh fruits – strawberries, grapes, tangerines – coated in a thin, crunchy, clear sugar shell. They’re visually stunning and satisfyingly sweet and tart. It’s the kind of snack that's taken over the convenience store shelves too, with pre-packaged versions.

Beyond that, cafe culture is always booming, constantly churning out new viral desserts. Think Croffles (크로플 — a croissant-waffle hybrid) that are still popular, but now we're seeing more intricate, artful pastries, often incorporating traditional Korean flavors like injeolmi (인절미 — roasted soybean powder mochi) or mugwort (쑥 — ssuk). Specialty bakeries in areas like Seongsu-dong (성수동) or Hannam-dong (한남동) are always packed with people trying the latest bread or cake trend. These places are where you’ll find people lining up for hours, not for dalgona.

And let's not forget the convenience store scene. This is where many of us salarymen get our quick, trendy fixes. New instant noodles (라면 — ramyeon) with unique flavors, limited-edition sandwiches, creative lunch boxes (dosirak — 도시락), and seasonal desserts from chains like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven are constantly hitting the shelves. That's real, everyday food innovation for us. I often grab a new concoction from my local GS25 on my way to work – that’s a genuine pulse on Korean food trends.

So, while it's perfectly fine to search for dalgona candy from Squid Game as a souvenir or a fun experience, know that it's just a small, nostalgic slice of the actual, vibrant Korean food landscape. The country has moved on, and you should too if you want to truly experience what Koreans are excited about eating today.

Point: To understand current Korean food trends, you need to explore the ever-changing world of cafe desserts, convenience store innovations, and viral snacks like tanghulu, which are far more relevant than dalgona right now.

Making Your Own Dalgona: Is It Worth It?

After Squid Game, many foreigners tried to make dalgona (달고나) at home. The internet was flooded with tutorials, and for a while, it seemed like everyone was a master candy maker. But is it really worth the effort, especially if you’re just trying to relive a moment from the show? Honestly, as someone who’s been there, done that, and cleaned up the sticky aftermath, I’d say probably not for most people.

The process seems simple: melt sugar, add a tiny pinch of baking soda, stir, pour onto a flat surface, press with a stamp, and let it cool. Sounds easy, right? Here’s the catch: it requires incredibly precise heat control. Too little heat, and the sugar won't melt properly. Too much, and it burns instantly, turning bitter. The moment you add the baking soda, it puffs up, and you have mere seconds to pour and press before it hardens. It’s a delicate dance between liquid sugar and hardening honeycomb.

The first time I tried making it with my nephew a few years ago, we ended up with a lot of burnt sugar, a few rock-hard, inedible lumps, and one or two pieces that vaguely resembled dalgona. Our kitchen counter was covered in sticky sugar residue that took forever to scrub off. It was fun for about five minutes, mostly for the novelty and the mess, but the cleanup was a headache.

If you really want to experience making it, those DIY kits sold in some souvenir shops or online can make it slightly easier by providing the right tools (a ladle, a press, cookie cutters), but they don’t magically solve the temperature control issue. For a one-off experience, especially if you’re trying to buy dalgona candy from Squid Game and also want the 'making' experience, it can be a fun activity. But if you just want to taste the candy, buying a pre-made one is far less hassle and mess.

Point: Making dalgona at home is a fun, messy activity, but don't expect professional results without practice, and buying it is often a more convenient option.