15 Scrumptious Korean Desserts You Must Try

Korean culture is known for many things, but most of all, people remember their cuisine, which is tasty and flavourful. But Korea’s fascination with desserts is crazy, which includes chewy, stretchy popular Korean desserts together with some light and fluffy sweets.

Known for their gentle sweetness and artistic presentation, Korean desserts are quite different from typical Western sweets. Traditional varieties often feature honey, grains, fruits, and red beans, reflecting the Korean concept of “ohmi,” or the balance of five flavours.

From refreshing and sticky treats to desserts passed down through generations and newer trendy creations, there is plenty to explore. Let’s take a look at some popular Korean desserts worth trying.

What Are Korean Desserts?

Korean desserts are a mix of traditional sweets and modern treats made with ingredients such as rice, honey, grains, fruits, sesame, nuts, and red beans. They include chewy rice cakes, crispy cookies, refreshing shaved ice, sweet pancakes, and many other unique creations.

Korean traditional sweets, which are referred to as “hangwa”, have been part of the country's food culture for centuries. While some of them are connected to festivities and celebrations, modern Korean sweets have also gained popularity at cafés and food stalls.

15 Popular Korean Desserts That Are Worth Trying

1] Songpyeon

Songpyeon is a crescent-shaped rice cake traditionally enjoyed during Chuseok, Korea’s autumn harvest festival. It is made with rice flour and can be filled with sesame seeds, red beans, or chestnuts.

2] Hotteok

Are you craving something warm and sweet? Hotteok is a popular Korean street treat, especially during winter. Enjoy a pan-fried pancake with a crisp outside and a gooey filling of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts.

3] Gangjeong

If crunchy sweets are more your thing, give Gangjeong a try. It is made by coating puffed grains, sesame seeds, or nuts with a sweet syrup.

4] Dalgona

You may recognise Dalgona from Korean pop culture. You can even make simple candy just by heating sugar and adding a little baking soda, creating a thin, caramel-like flavour. Dalgona is also remembered as a nostalgic Korean street snack.

5] Bingsu

Nothing beats a bowl of Bingsu on a hot day. Finely shaved ice forms the base, while toppings can range from sweet red beans and fruit to condensed milk, matcha, or ice cream.

6] Yakgwa

Yakgwa is a soft, chewy honey cookie made with wheat flour, sesame oil, and honey. You will often find it at traditional celebrations and special occasions.

7] Hodugwaja

These adorable walnut-shaped cakes are a must-try if you love a nutty kick. It has a soft outer layer filled with sweet red bean paste and walnut pieces. Hodugwaja originated in Cheonan and is now commonly enjoyed while travelling or as an everyday treat.

8] Yaksik

Yaksik lets you enjoy glutinous rice, which is turned into a mildly sweet, comforting dessert. For extra flavour, jujubes, chestnuts, pine nuts, and honey or brown sugar are generally added.

9] Yanggang

Yanggang is basically a smooth, firm red-bean jelly with a mild sweetness. Viral Gen Z snack. It is also known as a viral Gen Z snack and an old-fashioned Korean snack.

10] Injeolmi

Injeolmi are soft rice cakes coated with roasted soybean powder that give you an indulgent nutty kick with a chewy texture and are worth trying.

11] Hwajeon

Hwajeon are small rice cakes that are pan-fried and decorated with colourful edible flowers, which look almost too pretty to eat.

12] Bukkumi

Bukkumi is a soft and chewy rice cake with a sweet filling, usually red bean paste. Its lightly crisp outside makes every bite interesting.

13] Gaeseong Juak

Gaeseong Juak originates from Gaeseong and is a dessert in Korea made from glutinous rice flour and wheat flour kneaded in makgeolli, fried, and served with syrup.

14] Jeonggwa

Jeonggwa is made by slowly cooking fruits, roots, or other ingredients in honey or syrup. You will notice its glossy look and concentrated sweetness.

15] Kkwabaegi

If you have a love for doughnuts, you will definitely enjoy Kkwabaegi. A twisted Korean doughnut is finished with sprinkled sugar or cinnamon sugar.

Why Are Famous Korean Desserts Worth Trying?

If you are someone who loves discovering new food, Korean desserts are definitely worth a try. Here’s what makes them interesting:

• Different textures: From light and chewy, as in classic rice cakes, to crispy and crunchy textures, and even light and fluffy textures.
• Light sweetness: Most Korean desserts are not overly sweet, allowing you to better enjoy the flavours.
• Beautiful presentation: Korean desserts are often colourful, elegant, picture-perfect, and eye-soothing.
• Unique tastes: Delicious, unique tastes that include sweet red beans, toasted soy bean powder, honey, fruit, and nuts.
• Handful of varieties: Whether you need a hot street snack or a cold summer treat, you will find a perfect popular Korean dessert that will satisfy your cravings.

FAQs - Korean Desserts

Q. What is the most famous Korean dessert?

Ans - Bingsu, Dalgona, and Hotteok are some of the most famous Korean desserts.

Q. What are some of the traditional Korean desserts?

Ans - Songpyeon, Yakgwa, Yaksik, Injeolmi, and Hwajeon are examples of traditional Korean desserts. Many of them are made with ingredients like rice, honey, nuts, and red beans.

Q. Are Korean desserts really sweet?

Ans - Top Korean desserts are not the same as Western-style desserts, which are excessively sweet. Korean desserts are made less sweet so that you can enjoy the real flavours.