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Saewookkang (새우깍) is Korea’s best-known shrimp cracker — and its oldest mass-produced snack. First the facts, then the story.
🍫 The basics
- What it is: light, crispy puffed crackers with a savoury shrimp flavour and a long ridged shape.
- Main ingredients: wheat flour, real shrimp, vegetable oil, sugar and salt.
- Calories: about 500 kcal for a standard ~90 g bag.
- Maker & year: Nongshim launched it in 1971 — Korea’s first big packaged snack.
- ⚠️ Allergens: wheat, shrimp (shellfish) and soy.
The story: the snack Korea grew up on
When Nongshim released Saewookkang in 1971, Korea had almost no home-grown packaged snacks. It became an instant staple and never left — more than half a century later it is still on every shop shelf, which makes it the country’s longest-running snack.
Its old jingle, 손이 가요, 손이 가요 (“my hand keeps reaching for it”), is still instantly familiar to Koreans of every age. Light, salty and gently sweet from real shrimp, it is the definition of a nostalgic everyday snack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Light and crispy with a gentle savoury-sweet shrimp flavour — more umami than fishy. It is mild enough to eat by the handful.
Nongshim, since 1971 — it is widely considered Korea’s first mass-produced snack and is still a top seller.
It contains wheat, shrimp (shellfish) and soy, so it is not suitable for anyone with a shellfish or gluten allergy.
The classic Saewookkang is not spicy at all — just lightly savoury-sweet. If you want options, Nongshim makes a few versions: Rice Saewookkang (쌀새우깡), the original Saewookkang (새우깡), and a Spicy Saewookkang (매운새우깡).
Where it ranks: No. 4 in our 10 Best Korean Snacks guide. Like it? Try Honey Butter Chip and Kkokkal Corn too.
