18 Must-Try Korean Desserts and Sweets
Explore easy and delicious Korean desserts and sweets! From classic to modern, these recipes are perfect for sweetening up your meal. Enjoy warm and cold treats that are just right for any occasion.
Korean desserts are increasingly popular worldwide for their unique flavors and easy recipes. From traditional to modern, they showcase Korea’s culinary heritage and are simple to make with common ingredients. This simplicity, paired with great taste, is why they’re loved worldwide.
Making Korean desserts can be both fun and creative. Some popular treats are enjoyable to make, while traditional Korean desserts mark special occasions and holidays.
Get new recipes via email:
Try our top 18 Korean dessert recipes. From warm comfort foods for the chilly weather to cool refreshments on hot summer days, these sweets cater to every taste.
You’ll find many of these desserts served at street cafes or bakeries all over Korea. Some require a bit of time and effort, while others are super easy to make at home. I hope you get to try a few!
18 Popular Korean Desserts and Sweets
Korean Watermelon Punch (Subak Hwachae)
Subak hwachae, or Korean watermelon punch, is a refreshing Korean summer drink made with juicy watermelon, soda, and seasonal fruits. This classic hwachae recipe is perfect for hot days and comes together in minutes with just 4 ingredients.
Easy Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancake)
Hotteok is a pan-fried Korean sweet pancake filled with gooey cinnamon and brown sugar syrup. It's a beloved Korean street food sweet. This easy recipe using a few basic ingredients brings you the classic taste.
Homemade Mango Shaved Ice (Mango Bingsu)
Create Mango Shaved Ice (Mango Bingsu) with 4 ingredients & a blender. Enjoy Korea's authentic icy treat or add vanilla ice cream. Easy and tasty!
Patbingsu (Red Bean Shaved Ice Dessert)
Patbingsu is a popular Korean red bean shaved ice dessert. This easy recipe uses milk and canned sweetened red beans, making it simple to prepare at home with or without an ice shaver.
Sujeonggwa (Korean Cinnamon Drink)
Sujeonggwa is a Korean cinnamon drink made with cinnamon, ginger, and brown sugar, known for its unique and delicious taste.
Korean Sweet Rice with Dried Fruit and Nuts (Yakshik)
Korean sweet rice cake (yakshik) is made with sticky rice, jujube, chestnut, and other nuts. An instant pot makes this authentic recipe extremely easy and quick to prepare. It also serves as a good breakfast or snack.
Bungeoppang (Korean Fish-Shaped Taiyaki Bread)
Bungeoppang, Korean fish-shaped bread, is a twist on the classic Japanese snack, Taiyaki. Crispy and soft pastry filled with sweet red bean filling, enjoy this must-try Asian dessert all year with this easy recipe.
Twisted Donut (Kkwabaegi)
Korean twisted donut (kkwabaegi) is a traditional Korean fried dough pastry. They are made by twisting the dough before deep-frying, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy, and chewy interior. Coat with cinnamon sugar.
Injeolmi (Quick Korean Sweet Rice Cake)
Injeolmi is a chewy, sticky Korean sweet rice cake with a mochi-like texture. This quick microwave recipe lets you enjoy this delicious treat in just 10 minutes.
Songpyeon (Korean Chuseok Rice Cake)
Songpyeon is a Korean rice cake filled with sweet fillings and naturally colored. It's an essential treat for Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving celebration. Makes 32 rice cakes.
Easy Sikhye (Sweet Korean Rice Drink)
Sikhye is a sweet, non-alcoholic Korean rice drink made with malted barley and rice. With this simple recipe, you can make it at home using an Instant Pot or rice cooker.
5-Minute Dalgona Candy
Make Korean Dalgona candy in just 5 minutes with this easy recipe using sugar and baking soda. Enjoy the fun and traditional method of making it in a soup ladle.
Fresh Korean Strawberry Milk (Strawberry Latte)
Korean strawberry milk, also called strawberry latte, is a delicious and refreshing drink made with homemade strawberry syrup. This easy recipe uses just 4 simple ingredients and requires no cooking, creating a sweet, creamy treat that’s perfect for any occasion!
Jolly Pong Shake (Korean Cereal Milkshake)
Jolly Pong shake is a delightful milkshake made with Korean puffed wheat cereal. This easy recipe allows you to create a creamy and satisfying beverage that will leave you craving more.
Crunchy Korean Candied Sweet Potato (Goguma Mattang)
Goguma mattang is Korean candied sweet potato covered in a hard caramelized sugar candy. It has a crunchy outside and a soft, fluffy inside, making it an ideal sweet snack for fall and winter.
Danpatjuk (Korean Sweet Red Bean Soup)
Danpatjuk is a warm, Korean sweet red bean soup, often enjoyed as a dessert. This mildly sweet dish, also known as red bean porridge for its thick texture, is a favorite in winter.
Sweet Potato Rice Donuts
Korean rice donuts made with sweet potato and rice flour! These sweet potato rice donuts are soft and chewy, and coated with cinnamon sugar. Makes 3 dozens
Korean Sweet Rice Cake Bars (LA Chapssalteok)
These crispy chewy Korean style sweet rice cake bars are made without butter or oil. Loaded with nuts and seeds, these bars make perfect gluten-free snack!
Love these recipes? Rate them and share your experience in the comments below! On Instagram? Tag me to showcase your creation. For more delicious recipes, subscribe to our newsletter!
18 Must-Try Korean Desserts and Sweets: Korean Watermelon Punch
Korean watermelon punch (subak hwachae) is a typical Korean fruit punch to enjoy in the summer. You can use watermelon alone or mix with other summer fruits. It is quick to make with just 4 ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1/4 seedless watermelon, balled or cubed
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 2 1/2 cup lemon-lime flavored soda, chilled
- 2-4 tbsp sweet condensed milk, honey or sugar
- blueberries to garnish, optional
Equipment
Instructions
- Place watermelon pieces (and its juice) in a large serving bowl.
- Mix milk and condensed milk in another bowl and add soda; stir. Pour the punch mixture over watermelon. Garnish with blueberries if using.
- To serve, ladle watermelon punch into a small individual serving bowl. Serve immediately or chill up to 2 hours.
- Leftover punch can be stored in the refrigerator up to 24 hours.
Notes
You can add other fruits like honeydew melon or cantaloupe, pineapple along with watermelon in the punch.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @beyondkimchee on Instagram. I love to see your masterpiece.
