November eleventh is a special day named after a snack called 빼빼로. 빼빼로 is a commercial snack usually sold in a thin rectangular box. The snack itself consists of chocolate covered sticks made of cookie dough. Usually people eat the sticks two at a time. When you place two sticks together they look like the number eleven. That’s why the eleventh of November (which is also the eleventh month) is the designated day for Pepero Day.

In South Korea, Pepero Day is a lot like Valentines Day. Pepero Day is a day where people give 빼빼로 snacks to friends and lovers. It’s a day usually capitalized by the younger generation. All over Korea, you’ll see stores sell these packaged baskets full of Pepero. Some local bakeries make their own special version of the Pepero sticks. It’s a day where businesses really profit, and many try to sell as many of these chocolate varieties. The most common kind are the ones covered with chocolate, but there are also the kinds covered with strawberry. There are also the kinds covered with chocolate nuts as well. The choices are pretty diverse.

Even though the majority of snacks sold on Pepero Day are the 빼빼로 sticks, 초코파이 is also a popular alternative. Choco Pies are these round shaped chocolate covered snacks with cream filling. Some people freeze the Choco Pies and eat them like a frozen treat. Like the Pepero sticks, the Choco Pies are also sold in red boxes. Both Pepero and Choco Pie are classic Korean snacks loved and consumed by both adults and children.