Butter Potato: Korea’s Popular Rest Stops Snack

Butter Potato is one of the most popular snacks at Korean rest stops. Today, I’m going to show you how to make this buttery, sweet, and slightly salty potato dish that everyone loves!

What is Butter Potato?

Butter Potato is a popular Korean snack commonly found at highway rest stops. On Korean menus, it’s usually listed as “Al Gamja” (baby potatoes) or “Tong Gamja” (whole potatoes). This dish features small, whole potatoes that are roasted in butter until they are golden and flavorful. They are loved for their rich, nutty taste and satisfying texture.

You won’t find buttery potatoes in restaurants or cafés. They’re a unique snack that you can only get at Korean rest stops. They’re a must-try during any road trip in Korea!

What Does Butter Potato Mean to Koreans?

To many Koreans, butter potato is more than just a snack; it’s tied to childhood memories of long road trips with family.

During major holidays like Chuseok or Lunar New Year, Korea’s highways used to become extremely congested. While roads have improved and fewer people travel back to their hometowns nowadays, it used to be common to drive over 10 hours to visit family. Along the way, families would stop at rest areas to rest, eat, and stretch. That’s how snacks like Butter Potato became part of the journey. For many, the taste of Butter Potato is nostalgic and brings back memories of time spent with loved ones.

I still remember how my parents would buy me Butter Potatoes whenever we stopped at a rest area. Even now, I sometimes go out of my way to buy them just to experience that comforting, familiar taste from my childhood again.

Ingredients

• Potatoes: Traditionally, al-gamja (baby potatoes) are used, but you can also cut larger potatoes into chunks if that’s what you have.

• Butter: The key ingredient — the potatoes are coated and cooked in butter, giving them a rich, nutty flavor.
• Sugar & Salt: Korean snacks often combine sweet and salty flavors — we even have a word for it: “dan-jjan” (단짠). At rest stops, the potatoes are usually simply salted, and you can sprinkle extra sugar or salt to taste. But today, I’ll be caramelizing them in both sugar and salt for the ultimate flavor.

Butter Potato Recipe

The original Buttery Potatoes are grilled on large metal pans at rest stops until crispy and golden.
But today, I’m making a simpler home version using a frying pan, inspired by the Korean food show “Pyeon-storant” and celebrity chef Ryu Sooyoung’s recipe.

This version features a delicious caramelized glaze made with butter and sugar, creating that irresistible crispy coating. Trust me. It’s seriously good!

The Debate: Sugar or Salt?

When you order butter potatoes at a Korean rest stop, you’ll receive plain, buttered potatoes. It’s up to you to sprinkle sugar or salt on top!

This has sparked a fun — and very serious — debate among Koreans, similar to the infamous “pour or dip” argument for sweet and sour pork (Tangsuyuk). Everyone has their preference. So, if you’re traveling with a Korean friend, be sure to ask, “Team sugar or team salt?” before sprinkling. You don’t want to start a snack war!

Top 5 Korean Highway Rest Stop Snacks You Must Try

If you’re visiting Korea and planning a road trip, make sure to stop at a highway rest area — it’s not just for stretching your legs. Korean rest stops are famous for Korean street food style snacks, and many locals say it’s one of the best parts of traveling by car.

You might know about Tteokbokki or Korean corn dogs already, but that’s just scratching the surface. So here are 5 must-try Korean rest stop snacks that Koreans actually love!

Sotteok Sotteok (소떡소떡)

A skewer of Korean rice cakes (tteok) and mini sausages, grilled and coated with a sweet-and-spicy gochujang-based sauce (sometimes mixed with ketchup). If your skewer isn’t already sauced up, just head to the condiment station and load it with ketchup and mustard. Delicious and super satisfying.

Butter Potatoes (알감자)

Today’s menu! These baby potatoes are pan-fried in butter until golden and slightly crispy, then served with a choice of sugar or salt on top. They’re bite-sized, buttery, and addictive. For the best experience, try them at Gangneung Rest Area, where they’re made with locally grown Gangwon potatoes — famous for their fluffy texture.

Sweet Potato Sticks (고구마스틱)

Thinly sliced Korean sweet potatoes, deep-fried into crispy sticks. Unlike French fries, these are denser and chewier, often with a crunchy exterior. The natural sweetness of Korean sweet potato makes it a perfect snack.

Walnut Cakes (호두과자)

A beloved Korean traditional snack: bite-sized sponge cakes shaped like walnuts, filled with sweet red bean paste and bits of walnut inside. Try them fresh at Cheonan Rest Area, which is famous for its locally sourced Korean walnuts. The soft cake and nutty filling are so comforting, especially on chilly travel days.

Hot Bar (핫바)

A deep-fried fish cake (similar to eomuk) on a stick — savory, chewy, and rich in flavor. You’ll find different versions like squid hot bar, veggie hot bar, and sausage hot bar. Especially popular at Anseong Rest Area, these are perfect with a squirt of ketchup or mustard.

Korean rest stops are so much more than just restrooms and gas stations — they’re full-on food courts and snack heaven! So, the next time you drive through Korea, don’t skip the rest stop! You might discover your new favorite Korean snack.

10 Must-Try Korean Street Food

Curious about Korean street foods that only locals truly love? In this blog post, I’ll share 10 must-try street snacks that are secretly beloved by Koreans.

10 Hidden Korean Street Food Only Locals Know

Ingredients Guide

• Deep Wok Pan: US | UK

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