Korean Honey Pastry (Yakgwa or Yakwa)
Yakgwa(약과) is a traditional Korean sweet pastry that is fried and coated in syrup rich with flavors of ginger and honey.
- Prep time
- 30 min
- Cook time
- 40 min
- Yield
- 12 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 3 cup all purpose flour ((medium-protein flour))
- 1/3 cup sesame oil
- 1/3 cup soju
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup chopped pine nuts
- 1/4 tsp salt ((optional – original recipe omits salt))
- 1 cup rice syrup ((jochung 조청 – if not available, you can substitute honey))
- 1 cup honey
- 2 cup water
- 1 Tbsp ginger ((grated, 1 -2 tsp ginger powder is OK too))
Instructions
- 1
Prepare oil for frying. Note for Yakgwa, we want to start frying at a low temperature.
- 2
Make syrup by mixing rice syrup, honey and water in a sauce pan or frying pan. Heat on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once it boils, turn the heat off and add the chopped ginger, mix and set it aside.
- 3
In a large mixing bowl, add flour (add salt – optional) and then sesame oil. Mix the flour with the oil by rubbing the mixture thoroughly with your hands, until you feel the oil is all blended in with the flour.
- 4
Mix the Soju and honey in a separate cup/bowl until the honey is all dissolved.
- 5
Pour soju/honey mixture into the flour mixture and gently press the dough to form a ball.
- 6
Divide dough in half. Roll out one half of the dough into 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick rectangular shape. Cut the dough into 1 inch wide strips and then cut the strips at an angle to make diamond shapes.
- 7
Yakgwa is fried in 2 different temperatures and this what makes it tricky. For the first part, oil should be around 265° F (130°C). Yakwa will slowly rise to the top.
- 8
For the second part, when all the pieces have risen to the top, raise the heat to medium high to reach normal frying temperature . Continue frying until Yakgwa turns rich brown in color.
- 9
When Yakgwa pieces turn rich dark brown, removec from oil and let oil drain in a colander lined with paper towel.
- 10
Soak fried Yakgwa in prepared ginger honey syrup.
- 11
Leave for few min until it has soaked up all the syrup, take it out of the syrup and place onto a plate.
- 12
Sprinkle top with chopped pine nuts while it is still wet so the nuts will stick to it.