Korean desserts offer a delightful mix of flavors and textures, ranging from sweet and refreshing to rich and indulgent. Here are the top 10 must-try Korean desserts you shouldn’t miss:
- Bingsu (빙수): A popular shaved ice dessert topped with various sweet toppings like sweetened condensed milk, red bean paste, fruits, ice cream, and more. The combination of fluffy ice and diverse flavors makes it a perfect treat for hot summer days.
- Hotteok (호떡): These are sweet pancakes filled with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts. They are griddled until crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Hotteok is a fantastic street food and a great winter treat.
- Tteok (떡): Korean rice cakes come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors. Some popular types include Injeolmi (coated with roasted soybean powder), Songpyeon (half-moon shaped rice cakes filled with sweet fillings), and Gyeongdan (small rice cakes covered with sweet bean powder or coconut).
- Patbingsu (팥빙수): A variation of bingsu, Patbingsu features a generous amount of sweet red bean paste as a topping along with other toppings like mochi, rice cakes, and fruits.
- Hodugwaja (호두과자): Walnut-shaped pastries filled with sweet red bean paste, custard, or other flavored fillings. They are often enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
- Korean Rice Pudding (Sikhye, 식혜): A traditional sweet rice drink made from cooked rice and malt barley. It has a unique flavor and is served chilled as a refreshing dessert.
- Chapssal Donuts (찹쌀도넛): These are gluten-free Korean rice flour donuts, soft and chewy on the inside, and coated with sugar on the outside. Sometimes they are filled with sweet fillings like custard or red bean paste.
- Yakgwa (약과): Deep-fried honey cookies made with wheat flour, sesame oil, honey, and ginger juice. They have a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and are often enjoyed during holidays and special occasions.
- Sujeonggwa (수정과): A traditional cinnamon and ginger punch infused with dried persimmons and sweetened with honey or sugar. It’s a popular dessert beverage that’s also served cold.
- Japgokbap (잡곡밥): A sweet and nutritious multigrain rice dessert made by mixing various grains like glutinous rice, beans, millet, and barley with honey or brown sugar.
These Korean desserts offer a delightful taste of Korean cuisine and are widely enjoyed both locally and internationally. Give them a try to experience the unique flavors of Korean sweets!