Cheese Hot Dog
Cheese Hotdog (Cheese Hotdog, 치즈핫도그) is a street food originating from South Korea, consisting of cheese or sausage on a stick, wrapped in a slightly sweet batter and breadcrumbs, and deep-fried as a snack. The exterior is characterized by a crispy texture, while the inside features cheese that stretches when heated. In South Korea, it is widely enjoyed at food stalls and specialty shops, and its popularity has recently spread to various countries, especially across Asia. In tourist areas such as Myeong-dong, it has become an established staple street food among young people and travelers.
- Taste Rating
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- Price
- 5000 Won
- Meal Date
- 11/23/2023
- Food Travel Log
- The Korean viral food "Cheese Hotdog" was crispy and delicious when freshly fried. The cheese was supposed to stretch impressively but didn't. Still, I planned to share this joy online. Only the vendor smiled, though.
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview
Cheese Hot Dog (Korean: 치즈핫도그) is a type of hot snack originating from South Korea, which has recently gained remarkable popularity, particularly in Asia. In English, it is also known as "Korean Cheese Hot Dog" or "Korean Cheese Corn Dog." Its main feature is cheese or sausage on a skewer, wrapped in a slightly sweet batter, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. The finished product is characterized by a crispy outer layer and melty cheese inside, and it is common to enjoy it freshly fried and hot.
History and Origin
The original hot dog (American style) was introduced to South Korea from the United States and evolved into a unique "hot dog (핫도그)" culture. It began to spread in South Korea around the 1980s, originally with variations using fish sausages or potatoes as fillings. In the mid-2010s, a new variation called "Cheese Hot Dog," which used cheese as the main filling, emerged and quickly gained popularity among young people through social networking platforms.
Preparation and Characteristics
The basic cooking procedure for Cheese Hot Dog involves skewering cheese (such as mozzarella) or a combination of cheese and sausage, wrapping them in a slightly sweet fermented dough, and coating with breadcrumbs before deep-frying. It is typically served hot and topped with various sauces such as ketchup, mustard, sugar, and sometimes chili sauce or honey mustard, according to personal preference. Its most distinctive feature is the way the cheese stretches in long strings when bitten into, a characteristic that depends on the type of dough, how it’s fried, and the kind of cheese used.
Variations
| Variation Name | Filling | Outer Features |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Cheese | 100% Cheese | Fondant cheese stretches from the inside |
| Half & Half | Sausage + Cheese | Enjoy a different taste with every bite |
| Potato Hot Dog | Cheese or Sausage | Diced fried potatoes are coated on the batter |
| Injeolmi (Kinako) | Cheese | Topped with soybean flour (kinako) or peanut powder |
Cultural Background and Social Spread
Representing South Korea's street stall culture, Cheese Hot Dog has become established as a trendy gourmet food, especially among young people and tourists. In South Korea, it can often be found at street stalls and specialty shops or food courts in popular youth areas such as Myeongdong and Hongdae, as well as throughout the country. With the spread of social networking services such as Instagram and TikTok, sharing photos and videos of the cheese stretching out from the cross-section has become a popular trend, igniting its popularity not only in Korea but also in Japan, China, the United States, and other overseas countries.
Expansion and Localization in Various Countries
- Japan: Since around 2017, specialty stores have opened one after another in areas such as Harajuku and Shibuya. It has independently evolved as "Cheese Dog" or "Mozzarella Cheese Dog."
- Taiwan and China: Popular in Taiwan night markets and food courts. Sometimes spicy seasonings are added.
- United States: Korean chain franchises have expanded across the country. There are many adaptations, such as using local cheeses and sauces.
Nutrition and Health Aspects
As a deep-fried food, Cheese Hot Dog contains relatively high energy content, using calorie-rich ingredients such as wheat flour batter, breadcrumbs, and cheese or sausage. On the other hand, the sweetness of the fermented dough, the rich texture, and its convenience have earned it wide popularity. Symbolizing the B-grade (casual) gourmet food culture of Korea, it is expected that more diverse variations and adaptations will continue to appear in the future.