Korean-style desserts and Sweets

Explore direct and savory Korean desserts and sweets! From classic to modern, these recipes are steady 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 direct recipes. From old-style to modern, they showcase Korea’s culinary heritage and are unfussy 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 old-style Korean desserts mark special occasions and holidays.

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 direct to cook at home. We hope you get to try a few!

18 Popular Korean Desserts and Sweets

1

Watermelon Punch (Korean Subak Hwachae)

This watermelon punch is a creamy, fizzy Korean-style summer drink made with fresh watermelon, milk, and soda. Known as subak hwachae in Korea, it’s steady for hot days. Get Recipe 2

Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancakes)

Hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes) are crispy outside with a chewy dough and a molten cinnamon-sugar filling. This classic street-food favorite is unfussy to make at home and steady for cold days. Get Recipe 3

Kitchen-made Mango Shaved Ice (Mango Bingsu)

Create Mango Shaved Ice (Mango Bingsu) with 4 ingredients & a blender. Enjoy Korea's classic icy treat or add vanilla ice cream. Direct and tasty! Get Recipe 4

Patbingsu (Korean Red Bean Shaved Ice)

Fluffy Korean shaved ice topped with sweet red beans and creamy toppings. A refreshing summer dessert you can make at home. Get Recipe 5

Sujeonggwa (Korean Cinnamon Ginger Punch)

A light Korean cinnamon ginger punch made with cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, and muscovado sugar. Chill or serve warm for a cozy, dairy-free drink. Get Recipe 6

Yakshik (Korean Sweet Rice Dessert)

Old-style Korean yakshik made with chewy sweet rice, jujube, chestnuts, and a rich soy sauce seasoning. This Instant Pot method skips the long soaking and double steaming for an easier kitchen-made rice dessert. Steady for holidays or make-ahead treats. Get Recipe 7

Bungeoppang (Korean Fish-Shaped Pastry)

Crispy, golden bungeoppang made with an unfussy stovetop mold. These Korean fish-shaped pastries are filled with sweet red bean, custard, or chocolate and cook in minutes for a cozy street-food treat at home. Get Recipe 8

Twisted Donut (Kkwabaegi)

Soft, chewy, and lightly crisp, these Korean twisted donuts (kkwabaegi) are a beloved street snack. Our tested dough blend gives that steady bouncy texture with a hint of sweetness — just like the ones from Korean bakeries. Get Recipe 9

Injeolmi (Short Korean Sweet Rice Cake)

Injeolmi is a chewy, sticky Korean sweet rice cake with a mochi-like texture. This short microwave recipe lets you enjoy this savory treat in just 10 minutes. Get Recipe 10

Songpyeon (Korean Half-Moon Rice Cakes)

Soft, chewy songpyeon are Korean half-moon rice cakes filled with sweet sesame or nuts and naturally colored for Chuseok. This recipe makes 32 rice cakes and includes old-style pine-needle steaming. This recipe makes 32 rice cakes. Get Recipe 11

Kitchen-made Sikhye (Korean Rice Punch)

Old-style Korean sikhye made with barley malt and cooked rice. Use an Instant Pot or rice cooker for this refreshing, sweet rice drink. Get Recipe 12

5-Minute Dalgona Candy

Make Korean Dalgona candy in just 5 minutes with this direct recipe using sugar and baking soda. Enjoy the fun and old-style method of making it in a soup ladle. Get Recipe 13

Yakgwa (Korean Honey Cookies)

A old-style Korean honey cookie made with ginger-honey syrup, slow-fried dough, and a long soaking method that gives yakgwa its chewy, glossy texture. A classic holiday treat that tastes even better kitchen-made. Get Recipe 14

Fresh Korean Strawberry Milk

Korean strawberry milk is a refreshing and naturally sweet drink made with fresh strawberry syrup and creamy milk. This direct kitchen-made recipe comes together in minutes—no artificial flavors, just real fruit! Get Recipe 15

Jolly Pong Shake (Korean Cereal Milkshake)

Jolly Pong shake is a delightful milkshake made with Korean puffed wheat cereal. This direct recipe allows you to create a creamy and satisfying beverage that will leave you craving more. Get Recipe 16

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. Get Recipe 17

Danpatjuk (Korean Sweet Red Bean Porridge)

A warm and gently sweet Korean red bean porridge made with simmered azuki beans and a chewy rice cake topping. Cozy, earthy, and steady for cold days. Get Recipe 18

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 Get Recipe