The BoonSeek, a Korean-fusion food truck, first opened its window in late 2020, which was a true feat given the ongoing COVID pandemic. This truck may be small, but it’s mighty and is currently thriving in the saturated Pittsburgh food truck scene.
The BoonSeek specializes in Korean corn dogs but offers other Korean specialties as well, such as kim-bob and Korean fried chicken. It parks at various spots around Pittsburgh, including the University of Pittsburgh’s campus, Carnegie Mellon University’s campus, Eleventh Hour Brewing, Ka-Fair Coffee and Cakery, and more. They consistently post their weekly schedule on their Instagram @theboonseek.
There are not many Korean restaurants in Pittsburgh, and even fewer serving Korean-style corn dogs. Korean-style corn dogs differ from American-style corn dogs in several ways: their batter is yeasted and made with wheat or rice flour instead of cornmeal; they’re dusted with sugar; and they’re often half hot dog, half cheese. They made their first appearance in Korean street food culture in the late 1970s due to the longstanding presence of U.S. troops in Korea after World War II, according to NBC News. They’ve become popular in the U.S. thanks to social media and the rising interest in Korean culture.
I’d never had a Korean corn dog before and was anxious to try one after watching various food influencers around the world try them. I first tried The BoonSeek in 2021 and have been hooked ever since. Their Korean corn dogs are addicting, as most fried foods typically are. The fried batter topped with sugar is crunchy and isn’t overly sweet like you might expect. The lightly drizzled ketchup and mustard add a layer of acidity to the rich corn dog. At The BoonSeek, you can have several fillings in your corn dog: a full hot dog, mozzarella cheese, or a half hot dog, half mozzarella cheese combo. I usually opt for the latter. The inside of the corn dog is decadent, with both a hot dog and mozzarella cheese. I’ve had some pretty insane cheese stretches! If you’re feeling extra hungry, you can choose to add potatoes to the outside of your corn dog. This isn’t on their regular menu, but if you ask, they’ll happily accommodate you. The potatoes add another layer of crunchy goodness to this already satisfying dish.
In addition to Korean corn dogs, The BoonSeek serves several other delicious Korean dishes. Their Korean fried chicken is a favorite of mine. It’s delightfully crispy but isn’t too heavy, and it doesn’t weigh you down after eating it. It’s slathered in a gochujang sauce, which is made with red chili paste and is a fermented condiment popular in Korean cooking. It is both sweet and savory, which is a popular flavor combination in Korean cuisine. This dish is also served with rice and pickled radish, which are common accompaniments to fried chicken. The pickled radish is used as a way to refresh your palate between bites of chicken.
Another dish that’s a must-try from The BoonSeek is their bulgogi mandu. These dumplings are hefty and filled with perfectly cooked and flavorful beef. Vegetables and glass noodles round out the filling. The dumplings themselves are delightfully crispy on the outside, providing a nice contrast to the tender filling.
While The BoonSeek’s menu is small, I suggest visiting multiple times to get the best experience. The food is rich, and you won’t possibly be able to order everything you want to try in one visit (I know I couldn’t). I still haven’t tried the kim-bob after multiple visits, but it’s next on my list.
The BoonSeek found its niche in the Pittsburgh food truck industry with its flavorful take on Korean street food specialties. They’ve certainly found a lifelong customer in me.
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