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Korean cuisine is famous for its comforting dishes, but their desserts deserve just as much praise. From traditional sweets with centuries of history to Instagrammable treats found in almost every café, Korean desserts offer something for everybody.
Whether you are exploring Korea or curious about its food culture, here are 12 must-try Korean desserts, both traditional classics and modern favorites.
Traditional
Bingsu
Bingsu is one of Korea’s most beloved desserts, especially during the summer. Made with shaved ice, often from frozen milk or cream, it has a light, fluffy, snow-like texture. Typically topped with sweetened condensed milk, red beans (pat), rice cakes (tteok), fruit, or nuts. The perfect refreshing summer treat.
Hotteok
Photo: Nombeah
Hotteok is a popular street food, especially in winter. These pancakes originated in the Qing-Dynasty in China and came to Korea for the first time during the Joseon Dynasty in the 19th century, and are now a staple of Korean street markets. These golden, crispy pancakes are filled with a gooey mixture of brown sugar, honey, chopped nuts, and cinnamon.
Tteok
Tteok refers to a wide variety of chewy rice-based treats made from steamed or pounded rice. Sweet versions include:
- Injeolmi (coated in soybean powder)
- Kkultteok (filled with honey)
- Chapssaltteok (filled with red bean paste)
These are often enjoyed during celebrations or as everyday snacks.
Yakgwa
Photo: The Korean Herald
Yakgwa is a traditional Korean deep-fried confectionery made from wheat flour, honey, sesame oil, and ginger juice, resulting in a sweet, chewy, and rich honey cookie. Historically used in ancestral rites, it has become a popular modern dessert leading to a trend called "Halma-niel" (grandmother-millennial) and is often reinterpreted into cookies, financiers, and topped with ice cream.
Hodu Gwaja
Photo: Visit Korea
Hodu-gwaja are small, walnut-shaped pastries filled with red bean paste and real walnuts. Originating in Cheonan, they’ve become a beloved snack sold at highway rest stops across Korea. The combination of sweet red bean filling, savory walnuts, and crispy baked snacks is a favorite taste for people of all ages. Today, you’ll also find variations filled with custard or cream.
Songpyeon
Songpyeon is a crescent-shaped rice cake traditionally eaten during Chuseok, Korea’s harvest festival. Filled with sweet ingredients like sesame seeds, honey, red beans, or chestnuts, they’re steamed over pine needles, giving them a subtle, refreshing aroma.
Modern
Dalgona Candy
Photo: The New York Times
Dalgona Candy dates back to the 1960s and 70s when it was a popular after-school treat for kids. It became famous again after appearing in Squid Game (2021), where the contestants had to carve out the shapes of the candy. It has a sweet, caramel-like flavor with a slight bitterness, similar to honeycomb candy.
Tanghulu
Tanghulu may have originated in China, but it’s now a major street food trend in Korea. Fresh fruits like strawberries or grapes are coated in a glossy sugar shell and served on skewers which makes it a perfect sweet snack while exploring busy markets.
Milk Cream Bread
Photo: 만개의레시피
Milk cream bread is a soft, pillowy bun filled with lightly sweet whipped cream or custard. It’s especially popular in convenience stores, with famous versions linked to Yonsei University becoming a nationwide hit.
Sweet Potato Cake
Photo: SugarYums
Goguma cake transforms the sweet potato into an elegant dessert. This dessert is a soft, fluffy sponge paired with a smooth, gently sweet potato filling which creates a comforting and balanced flavor. Finished with light whipped cream and beautifully decorated, it’s both visually appealing and delicious.
Salt Bread (Sogeum Bread)
Photo: TasteAtlas
Sogeum-ppang or Korean salt bread, is a trendy bakery item featuring a crispy, buttery exterior and a soft, chewy interior. Inspired by Japanese shio pan, it’s topped with sea salt and often has a melted butter core, creating a rich yet balanced flavor.
Korean Style Macarons
Korean macarons, or fatcarons, are a new twist on the classic French dessert. They’re larger and packed with thick fillings like buttercream, fruit, chocolate, or even unexpected savory elements, making them as fun as they are delicious.
At The Daebak Company we want to bring Korean culture to a global audience by updating you with the newest trends and news. If reading about these delicious desserts made you crave a taste for yourself, explore our Snackfever boxes and discover your new favorite Korean treats.