News: Try the K-dog, Cambridge’s hottest new street food

Manna Seoul Korean Street Food is bringing the K-dog - a deep-fried, sugar-dusted doughnut filled with sausage and cheese and squirted with spicy sauce - to Cambridge. It’s the concept of Seoul native Lan Williamson and husband Ian, as he tells Velvet

For the uninitiated: what *is* a K-dog?
A South Korean take on the classic American snack, it takes the corn dog to another level with a cruncher exterior thanks to panko breadcrumbs. It’s essentially a doughnut exterior and on the inside has mozzarella or Frankfurter or both. You can have potato or sweet potato cubes on the outside too.

They've been one of the last year's biggest foodie hits on TikTok, haven't they? Why do you think they've captured the imagination?
They are just such a fun and playful food. Watching people eat them from our airstream trailer, they always have a smile on their face thanks to the video-friendly “cheese pull”!

How and when did the business come to be?
We first thought about doing Korean corn dogs at the start of 2023. Lan knew they were a really popular snack in other countries and, though they’re a relatively new thing here in the UK, they instantly became a hit - in London you see people queuing round the block just to try them. So Lan wanted to bring them to Cambridge, creating a version similar to the ones found in her home city of Seoul.

What's the reaction been like among the foodies of Cambridge?
We have had some great feedback and are already starting to build up quite a following; with customers visiting week on week, you start to recognise the regulars, which is really nice. Some travel for 45 minutes or more just to try them, and they haven’t been disappointed.

What's the reward, for the two of you, of running the business?
For me, it’s something I’ve always loved and been interested in; I like eating at new places, trying new foods. Lan lived in Korea for 40-odd years, growing up with some amazing street food. We can bring both our strengths to the business and together create something which brings a big smile to many people.

Find the Manna Seoul van at Cambridge farm shop The Gog every Saturday, noon to 3.30pm, and popping up at sites across the city. For dates, times and locations, follow @mannaseoulcambridge on Instagram.