10 TRADITIONAL KOREAN SWEET SNACKS YOU MUST TRY

When it comes to Korean cuisine, most travellers think of Korean barbecue, kimchi, ramyeon or kimbap, but Korean traditional snacks are just as fascinating, delicious, and definitely worth trying! Rooted in centuries-old recipes, these sweet and savoury treats were once enjoyed during royal banquets, seasonal festivals, and family gatherings. From honey-drenched cookies to flower-topped rice cakes, here are 10 traditional snacks you simply must try when visiting South Korea!

1.     YAKGWA (약과 – Honey Cookie)

·       INGREDIENTS: Wheat flour, honey, sesame oil, ginger juice

·       FLAVOUR: Sweet, dense, slightly chewy with a honey-ginger aroma

·       OCCASION: Traditionally served during holidays like Chuseok and weddings

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: It’s one of Korea’s oldest desserts, offering a taste of tradition wrapped in a golden sweetness

2.     GANGJEONG (강정 – Crispy Rice Puffs)

·       INGREDIENTS: Puffed rice, sesame seeds, pine nuts, honey or syrup

·       FLAVOUR: Light, crunchy, and sweet with nutty undertones

·       OCCASION: Popular during Lunar New Year celebrations

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: Its crisp texture and nutty sweetness make it a perfect festival treat

3.     HANGWA (한과 – Traditional Confectionery)

·       INGREDIENTS: Rice flour, honey, sesame, and natural food colouring

·       FLAVOUR: Various flavours from sweet and chewy to floral and nutty

·       OCCASION: Often enjoyed on holidays, ancestral rites, and special celebrations

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: It’s an art form in itself, often beautifully shaped and colourful, representing South Korea’s culinary artistry

4.     DASIK (다식 – Tea Cookies)

·       INGREDIENTS: Rice flour, chestnut, black sesame, soybean powder, honey

·       FLAVOUR: Mildly sweet, powdery, often flavoured with nuts or grains

·       OCCASION: Traditionally paired with tea during important gatherings

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: They’re delicate, melt in your mouth and complement perfectly a Korean tea experience

5.     SONGPYEON (송편 – Half-Moon Rice Cakes)

·       INGREDIENTS: Rice flour dough filled with sesame seeds, chestnuts, or sweet beans

·       FLAVOUR: Soft and chewy exterior with a sweet and nutty filling

·       OCCASION: Specially made during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: Making and sharing songpyeon is a family ritual that symbolises luck and prosperity

6.     HWAJEON (화전 – Flower Rice Cakes)

·       INGREDIENTS: Rice flour, honey, edible flower petals like azaleas and chrysanthemums

·       FLAVOUR: Light, chewy and subtly sweet with floral notes

·       OCCASION: Traditionally eaten in spring during flower-viewing festivals

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: They are as beautiful as they are tasty, basically a true blend of food and art

7.     BUKKUMI (부꾸미 – Sweet Rice Pancakes)

·       INGREDIENTS: Glutinous rice dough filled with sesame seeds, red bean paste, or honey

·       FLAVOUR: Chewy, slightly sticky, with a sweet and nutty filling

·       OCCASION: Made for festive occasions and sometimes shared among families

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: A comforting street-style traditional snack that still carries a festive vibe

8.     YEOT (엿 – Traditional Korean Taffy)

·       INGREDIENTS: Grains (rice, corn, sweet potatoes, barley), malt, sugar

·       FLAVOUR: Sweet, sticky, chewy, sometimes brittle if hardened

·       OCCASION: Commonly enjoyed as a snack or gift during exams (symbolising ”sticking” to success)

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: It’s both a tasty and a symbolic snack because eating it signifies the cultural wish for good luck and perseverance

9.     INJEOLMI (인절미 – Coated Rice Cake)

·       INGREDIENTS: Glutinous rice flour, roasted soybean powder (konggaru) and sometimes sweet syrup

·       FLAVOUR: Soft and chewy rice cake coated in nutty and slightly sweet soybean flour

·       OCCASION: Served at celebrations like birthdays, weddings, or ancestral rites

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: It’s one of Korea’s most beloved rice cakes, famous for its chewy texture, and earthy and nutty flavour

10. BAEKSEOLGI (백설기 – White Steamed Rice Cake)

·       INGREDIENTS: Steamed white rice flour, sometimes sugar, pine nuts, or dried fruit

·       FLAVOUR: Mild, fluffy, and subtly sweet

·       OCCASION: Traditionally used in birthdays, especially a baby’s 100th day celebration (beak-il) and other milestone events

·       REASON YOU MUST TRY: Its pure white colour symbolises cleanliness and new beginnings, and tasting it is like stepping into a piece of Korean cultural heritage

From chewy rice cakes to sweet taffy and crispy bites, Korea’s traditional snacks are more than just treats. They’re a delicious way to experience history, culture, and the unique vibe of South Korea.

So next time you’re in Korea, why not step beyond the modern desserts and try these timeless sweets?

Which one would you love to try first?