Dessert Trends: The 4 Most Popular K-Food Treats in Korea Right Now

What Are the Most Popular Dessert Trends in Korea

Recently, the Korean dessert market has been changing rapidly as tradition and modernity harmonize. In particular, snacks that spread quickly through social media are characterized by providing visual pleasure that goes beyond just taste. If you are visiting Korea or are interested in K-Food, there are a few key items you must pay attention to.

The Brilliant Transformation of Traditional Snacks: Yakgwa

Yakgwa is a traditional confection made by mixing flour with honey and oil and deep-frying it. While it was once a food eaten only during holidays, it has recently been reinterpreted with various shapes and textures, gaining great popularity among the younger generation. In particular, 'Paji Yakgwa' (broken pieces), which is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, or serving it with ice cream has become a trend.

• It creates a perfect 'sweet and salty' harmony when eaten with vanilla ice cream.
• You can enjoy a chewier texture by storing it in the refrigerator before eating.

A New Discovery of Fruit: Tanghulu

Tanghulu is a snack made by coating fresh fruit in sugar syrup and letting it harden, which has gained sensational popularity in Korea. The key is to use seasonal fruits such as strawberries, Shine Muscat grapes, and mandarin oranges, and coat them in a thin, crispy sugar shell. Korean-style Tanghulu is characterized by a very thin sugar coating that doesn't stick to your teeth while remaining packed with fruit juices. It is easily found on the streets and is very convenient to enjoy as the fruits are served on skewers.

2 Must-Try Menu Items at Dessert Cafes

Korea's cafe culture is world-renowned for its high standards. Beyond being spaces just for drinking coffee, many experimental spaces develop and showcase creative desserts. If you are planning a cafe tour in Korea, keep an eye on these two menu items.

The Ultimate Crispy Treat: Crookie

Crookie is a new concept dessert that combines a croissant and a cookie. By inserting cookie dough into croissant dough and baking it, you can experience a texture that is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside simultaneously. The combination of savory butter aroma and sweet chocolate chips is excellent, making it a perfect match for coffee or milk.

The Pinnacle of Korean Desserts: Bingsu

Bingsu is a representative Korean summer snack made by finely shaving ice and adding various toppings on top. Recently, it has moved beyond simple red bean toppings to include a wide range of ingredients like Injeolmi (bean powder rice cake), mango, melon, and chocolate. In particular, 'snowflake bingsu' made with shaved frozen milk is highly praised by foreign tourists for its texture that melts softly in the mouth.

• When eating bingsu, scoop it from the top down without mixing it to maintain the texture of the ice for longer.
• Drizzle condensed milk in between layers to enjoy the sweetness until the very last bite.