Hello, everyone! This is the 3rd and final part of our journey through Korean sweets.
Yesterday, we explored the wonderful world of Red Bean (Pat) desserts, wrapping up with those exquisite Yang–gaeng sets that make such perfect gifts. But as I was thinking about what else you might love, another incredible dessert came to mind!
If you’re looking for something that tastes as good as it looks—and carries a bit of Korean elegance—you’ll want to save this one.
My First Encounter with Gaeseong Juak: A Traditional Gem
I have a confession to make: Even as a Korean who loves traditional snacks, I only discovered this hidden gem about 2 or 3 years ago. It’s called Gaeseong Juak.
I first tasted it during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). A dear childhood friend—someone who grew up right in my neighborhood and is like family—came over to greet my mother. As a gift, she brought a box of these beautiful, glossy little treats.
What is Gaeseong Juak?
While many Korean snacks are casual and easy to find, Gaeseong Juak is a “true” traditional dessert made with a very refined, time-honored method. It’s a small, round doughnut made from glutinous rice flour and makgeolli (rice wine), deep-fried and then glazed with a sweet ginger-infused syrup (jocheong).
I still remember that first bite. The texture was incredibly chewy (jjol-git), with just the right amount of sweetness that surprises your palate. I was stunned—how could I not have known about such a perfect traditional dessert?
Back then, it was so rare that I actually contemplated traveling an hour away just to buy it again! Luckily, it’s become much trendier and easier to find lately, but its elegant, traditional soul remains the same.
The easiest place to find high-quality Gaeseong Juak is in the premium food halls of major department stores (like Shinsegae, Lotte, or Hyundai). They often host famous traditional dessert boutiques that craft these “Korean doughnuts” with the utmost care.
If there’s one place that single-handedly brought Gaeseong Juak back into the spotlight and made it a viral sensation, it’s definitely ‘Yeonrihui-jae‘.
Yeonrihui–jae took the humble, traditional Juak and gave it a high-fashion makeover. While the base is still that perfect, chewy glutinous rice dough, they crown it with creative toppings like Fresh Strawberries, Apple Jam, Candied Pecans, and even Savory Cheese.
It was their innovative approach that turned this ancient dessert into a “must-have” for the younger generation and foodies visiting Seoul.
The All-Time Favorite: Yak-gwa (Honey Cookies)
While Gaeseong Juak is a rare luxury, its “cousin” is something you’ve likely seen before—it’s the most beloved and popular traditional snack in Korea: Yak-gwa.
Do you see the little flower-shaped treats on the left side of my photo? That is the classic look of a mini Yak-gwa. Unlike the chewy, doughnut-like texture of Juak, Yak–gwa is more of a dense, cake-like cookie made from flour, sesame oil, honey, and ginger juice.
You can find them as everyday snacks in local marts, or even in the “K-Food” section of international grocery stores. If you have a Korean mart nearby, you will definitely be able to find a bag of these sweet, golden delights!
Great news for my global friends! I just checked, and a wide variety of Yak-gwa is now available on Amazon. It’s so much easier to get a taste of Korea delivered right to your door!
https://a.co/d/07cIPh5q
When you’re browsing, you’ll see both “Mini” and “Full-sized” versions. While the mini ones are cute for a quick bite, I personally think the larger ones are much better! Why? Because with the bigger size, you can truly enjoy that dense, chewy, and syrupy texture. The way it yields to your teeth is just so much more satisfying. If you’re trying it for the first time, I highly recommend going for the classic large flower-shaped cookies to get the full experience. ;)
The Golden Crunch: Goguma-mattang (Candied Sweet Potatoes)
Looking for a dessert that feels a bit more “wholesome”? Let me introduce you to Goguma-mattang.
Okay, I’ll admit (it does have a sugary glaze ^^) but at its heart, it’s a nutritious snack made from fiber-rich Korean sweet potatoes.
First, we cut the sweet potatoes into bite-sized chunks and fry them until they’re golden and tender. And then melt sugar in a pan until it turns into a beautiful amber syrup. Finally Toss the fried sweet potatoes in the syrup until every piece is perfectly coated in a thin, glossy sugar shell.
Once it cools, the sugar hardens into a crisp layer that “snaps” when you bite into it. It’s so addictive that you won’t be able to stop at just one!
The Global Superstar: Dalgona (Honeycomb Toffee)]
Have you watched the hit Netflix series <Squid Game>? If so, you’ve already seen the most famous “mission” involving a Korean snack: Dalgona.
Long before it became a global sensation, Dalgona was the ultimate after-school treat for Korean kids. I still remember the street vendors parked right outside the school gates with their tiny portable stoves. For just 100 won (back in the day!), we could sit down and make our own “DIY” candy.
First, you’d hold a big copper ladle over a small flame and slowly melt a spoonful of sugar. Once the sugar turned into a liquid amber, you’d add a tiny pinch of baking soda. That’s when the magic happened—the mixture would suddenly puff up into a light, airy foam!
With a quick flick of the wrist, you’d drop that puffy mixture onto a metal plate dusted with sugar—“Tak!”—and then press it flat with a metal weight. While it was still warm and soft, the vendor would press a shape, like a star or a circle, right into the center.
The real game began here! If you could carefully break away the edges and leave the center shape perfectly intact, you’d win another Dalgona for free or a small prize. It was the original “survival game” that kept every kid in Korea absolutely hooked! Haha.
Connecting Generations: Dalgona (Honeycomb Toffee) in the Age of Squid Game
It’s actually quite hard to find those street vendors outside school gates these days, but thankfully, we have a Dalgona set at home! My son and I have made it together many times over the years.
But ever since Squid Game became a global phenomenon, Dalgona has taken on a whole new meaning for him.
He’s so into it that he even got a full Squid Game costume! The photo shows him fully geared up, serious as can be, concentrating on creating the perfect Dalgona. To him, it’s not just a candy—it’s a high-stakes mission directly from the movie.
The Evolution of Dalgona: Meet the Dalgona Latte
Since we’re deep-diving into Korean desserts today, I have to show you how Dalgona has “self-evolved” into something incredibly trendy. This is the Dalgona Latte!
While you can find this trendy drink in almost any hip cafe in Seoul these days, my son actually loves making his own version right here at home.
The process is quite a workout! He takes a shot of espresso, adds a generous—and I mean generous—amount of sugar, and then starts whisking away. He keeps stirring and stirring, maybe around 400 times or more, until it transforms into a thick, frothy caramel-colored foam.
Once that fluffy topping is ready, he carefully layers it over a glass of cold milk. After a good final mix, you get this perfectly sweet Dalgona Latte—or maybe we should just call it a “Sugar Latte,” haha. It’s the ultimate sweet treat made with a lot of patience and love!
Before we wrap up this grand journey of Korean desserts, don’t forget to check out my previous posts! I’ve already shared the crispy, twisted joy of Kkaebae-gi (Twisted Doughnuts) and the gooey, cinnamon-filled Hotteok (Sweet Pancakes)we made at home. Both are legendary staples of Korean sweet culture!
With that, my “K-Dessert Marathon” comes to a close for now. But don’t worry—if I discover any more hidden treats, I’ll be back to share them with you!
The energy in Seoul is absolutely electric right now! BTS is having their massive Comeback Concert at Gwanghwamun today, and the whole city is buzzing. I’ll be tuning in via Netflix to catch all the magic from the comfort of my home.
To all the ARMYs out there: I hope your viewing experience is even sweeter than the desserts we talked about today!
Have a healthy and sweet day, just like a delicious Korean treat! ;)
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