Nongshim Cuttlefish Snack Review: Is Ojing-eo Jip Worth It?

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It was past midnight when I dragged my feet into the GS25 near Mangwon Station, hunting for something to pair with a cold can of Cass. Standing in front of the snack aisle, past the rows of Honey Butter Chips and spicy ramen cups, my eyes landed on the bright yellow bag featuring a goofy cartoon cuttlefish wearing a chef hat. That bag is Ojing-eo Jip (오징어집), officially known in English as the Nongshim cuttlefish snack. It costs around 1,500 to 2,000 won at most Korean convenience stores, depending on current promotions, and it has been a fixture on supermarket shelves in Seoul since 1992.

For international fans exploring K-food, seafood-flavored snacks can feel like a gamble. You might wonder if it smells like a fishing pier or if it delivers that rich, buttery umami taste that keeps local night owls coming back. After consuming more bags of this classic treat than I care to admit during my years living in Seoul, I am breaking down everything you need to know about this iconic crunchy chip.

Nongshim Cuttlefish Snack Flavor and Texture Breakdown

When you open a fresh bag of this classic Nongshim cuttlefish snack, the first thing you notice is the distinct waffle-grid shape. Nongshim intentionally designed each piece to resemble the crisscross cuts made on fresh cuttlefish bodies before grill cooking in traditional Korean kitchens. This design is not just cosmetic; the deep grid pattern creates an airy structure that delivers an incredibly crisp snap when you bite down.

Texture: Light, Grid-Pattern Crunch

Unlike heavy potato chips or dense corn curls, this cuttlefish snack hits a sweet spot in texture. It is firm enough to hold its shape in the bag without crumbling into dust, yet delicate enough that it shatters easily upon chewing. The waffle pockets trap air, giving each piece a satisfying crunch that feels satisfying without scratching the roof of your mouth.

Flavor Profile: Sweet Butter Meets Savory Umami

Despite being called a cuttlefish chip, the taste profile leans heavily into butter-grilled seafood rather than raw fishiness. The primary seasoning blends squid extract, soy sauce powder, butter flavor, and a subtle sweetness. When you take your first bite, you get a quick wave of rich, caramelized butter followed by a deep seafood umami tone. The aftertaste leaves a faint roasted aroma that makes it almost impossible to stop at just one piece.

Spice Level: How Hot Is It Really?

If you are worried about intense Korean heat, you can breathe easily. The standard Nongshim cuttlefish snack contains zero heat. On a spice scale compared to popular Korean foods, it ranks like this:

• Buldak 2x Spicy Ramen: Extremely scorching heat
• Shin Ramyun: Medium spicy baseline
• Nongshim Cuttlefish Snack (Ojing-eo Jip): Completely mild with 0/10 spice intensity

It is significantly milder than Shin Ramyun and sits far below any spicy ramen offerings from Samyang. Small children in Korea eat these regularly, so if you have zero tolerance for chili peppers, this product is completely safe for you.

How Koreans Actually Eat Ojing-eo Jip

In South Korea, snacks are divided into general munchies and anju (food specifically consumed alongside alcohol). While kids enjoy Ojing-eo Jip as an after-school treat, adults largely treat this classic cuttlefish snack as an effortless beer pairing.

If you sit outside a CU or 7-Eleven on a warm evening in Seoul, you will frequently see tables holding a couple of cold lager cans and an opened bag of these chips folded down at the top. The savory butter-seafood flavor cuts right through the crisp carbonation of Korean lagers like Cass, Terra, or Kelly.

The Ultimate Convenience Store Mayo Dip Hack

If you want to experience this snack like a true Seoul insider, do not eat it straight out of the bag without a sauce. Go to the refrigerated section of the convenience store, grab a small packet of mayonnaise, and make the legendary Korean dried squid dip at home. Here is how to assemble it:

1. Squeeze two tablespoons of Japanese or Korean mayonnaise into a small dish.
2. Add half a teaspoon of soy sauce right in the center.
3. Finely slice one fresh Cheongyang green chili pepper (or a jalapeño if you are outside Korea) and float the pieces on top.

Dip the grid-patterned chip directly into the mayo mixture. The creamy fat from the mayonnaise combined with the sharp bite of the chili creates an unbelievable balance against the sweet and savory cuttlefish chip.

Comparing Nongshim Seafood Snacks

Nongshim manufactures several classic seafood-themed chips that dominate convenience store shelves across the country. Here is how the cuttlefish snack compares to its closest shelf-mates:

Snack Name	Primary Flavor	Crunch Level
Ojing-eo Jip (Cuttlefish)	Butter-grilled seafood, slightly sweet	Medium-light waffle snap
Saeukkang (Shrimp Crackers)	Salty toasted shrimp, earthy	Dense, crispy stick crunch
Jagalchi (Octopus Balls)	Mild octopus soy glaze	Puffed, melt-in-mouth airiness

While Saeukkang remains the highest-selling shrimp cracker in Korean history, Ojing-eo Jip offers a much richer, butterier profile that appeals to those who prefer savory-sweet combinations over pure saltiness.

Limited Editions and Packaging Variations

Product lineups in Korean convenience stores shift rapidly, and Nongshim frequently releases special flavor iterations of their core hits. Over the years, we have seen roasted butter limited runs, extra savory garlic editions, and black squid ink variants. Keep in mind that while the classic yellow bag is a permanent fixture in almost every mart, these seasonal variations pop up without warning and disappear just as fast.

How to Get It Abroad

If you do not live in South Korea, you do not have to miss out on this classic snack. Major Asian grocery chains and online retailers carry the imported packages regularly.

• H Mart: The snack aisle at almost any H Mart location in North America routinely stocks the standard yellow Ojing-eo Jip bag alongside other Nongshim staples.
• Amazon: You can frequently find multi-packs of the official export version labeled as “Nongshim Cuttlefish Snack.”
• Local Asian Supermarkets: Independent stores like 99 Ranch Market, Mitsuwa, or regional Korean markets almost always feature this item in their crisp snack sections.

Expect prices outside Korea to sit around $2.00 to $3.50 USD per bag depending on the retailer and import fees, compared to the local price of roughly 1,500 to 2,000 won in Seoul.

Verdict

Nongshim Cuttlefish Snack (Ojing-eo Jip) is an absolute classic for a reason. Its unique grid texture offers an addictive crunch, and the butter-grilled seafood seasoning strikes a great balance between savory umami and light sweetness without ever tasting overly fishy or harsh.

Whether you are looking for an authentic Korean beer snack or simply want to try a legendary item from Seoul convenience store aisles, this bag delivers every time. Pair it with a cold drink and a side of chili-mayo for the best experience.

Final Rating: 8.5/10

FAQ

Does Nongshim cuttlefish snack taste very fishy?

No, it does not have a strong or offensive fishy taste. The dominant flavor notes are sweet butter, toasted seafood umami, and mild soy sauce, making it very approachable even for people who are cautious about seafood snacks.

Is Nongshim cuttlefish snack spicy?

Not at all. The original Ojing-eo Jip contains zero chili heat, making it suitable for all spice tolerance levels, including kids.

How should I store an opened bag of cuttlefish chips?

Because humidity in Korea (and elsewhere) can soften airy chips quickly, roll the top of the bag down tightly and seal it with a bag clip to preserve its crisp grid texture for up to two days.

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