Korea’s dessert scene has transformed dramatically in recent years, showcasing a masterful integration of innovation and tradition. From the bustling streets of Hongdae to the upscale cafes in Gangnam, Korean desserts have evolved into must-try culinary experiences that go far beyond traditional tteok (rice cakes) and patbingsu (shaved ice).
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Today, the Korean dessert landscape offers an exciting array of treats that combine local ingredients with international techniques that even Koreans can’t get enough of. Here’s your guide to Korea’s sweet revolution.
Korean bingsu (shaved ice) reimagined
Traditionally, bingsu consists of crushed ice with various fruits but modern Korean bingsu has evolved into an artisanal dessert experience. Several establishments have experimented with and revolutionised this classic Korean dessert with:
- Milk-based shaved ice for enhanced creaminess
- Premium toppings like fresh mango and gold kiwi
- Innovative combinations such as cheese bingsu
- Year-round availability in heated cafes
- Using Western ingredients and flavours such as Oreo or Earl Grey tea
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Korean croffle revolution
The Korean croffle phenomenon first took Seoul by storm, thanks to the capital city’s booming cafe culture, before going viral and taking the global centre stage. Much like the cronut, which is a croissant and donut hybrid, the croffle is a Korean-style croissant-waffle hybrid. People love it for:
- The crispy, buttery layers on the outside with distinctive waffle patterns and a soft and chewy texture inside
- Toppings like injeolmi powder, fruits with whipped cream, Nutella banana, maple syrup, caramel sauce, Lotus Biscoff, and more
- Its innovative savoury variations such as cheese, ham, salami, basil pesto, garlic butter, and more
- Perfect Instagram-worthy presentations
Artisanal rice cakes with modern flavours
Traditional tteok (rice cakes) have undergone a modern makeover. These traditional treats have been transformed into creative desserts with innovative flavours and presentations, appealing to younger generations while preserving cultural heritage. What was once primarily served during holidays and special occasions has become a contemporary gourmet treat. The modern variations include:
- Cream-filled tteok with flavours such as matcha, chocolate ganache, fresh strawberry, and more
- Seasonal collections incorporating premium ingredients like champagne, gold leaf, and imported chocolate
- A combination of traditional rice cake techniques with Western influences including tiramisu tteok, crème brûlée tteok, black sesame opera tteok, and even “tteok and cheese” (a fun play on mac and cheese)
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Dalgona in everything
Thanks to the explosive popularity of the Squid Game franchise, which put a deadly twist to a children’s game where contestants must cut a shape out of dalgona, a brittle honeycomb-like Korean candy, without breaking it, it was reinvigorated. This saw plenty of dalgona-inspired creations such as:
- Dalgona coffee, lattes, milk tea, and even martinis
- Creative dalgona dessert compositions such as dalgona cakes, tiramisu, cheesecakes, and tarts
- Soft serve ice cream with crushed dalgona candy toppings and dalgona-flavoured popsicles
- Dalgona cream-topped puddings, cupcakes, pies, and dalgona cream-filled croissants
Korean honey butter toast
A spin on Korea’s honey butter craze, this dessert is crispy on the outside, topped with decadent honey butter topping, with an irresistible combination of a warm, pillowy, and buttery interior. It transforms ordinary white bread into a luxurious dessert by cutting it into a distinctive cube pattern, allowing the honey butter to seep into every crevice. What makes this the ultimate sweet and crunchy fix is:
- The sweetness of honey harmonises with the richness of butter, while a light dusting of powdered sugar adds an extra touch of indulgence
- Often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the temperature contrast between warm bread and ice cream creates an exciting sensory experience
- Its customisable nature allows cafes to create unique variations, from matcha-flavoured versions to seasonal fruit toppings
- The interactive dining experience of pulling apart the bread cubes adds an element of fun
- Its highly photogenic presentation makes it a social media sensation
The hype around these dessert trends is closely tied to social media. Korean cafes have put great importance on aesthetically pleasing and photography-friendly establishments, ensuring food presentations are Instagram-worthy, and quickly pivoting to piggyback on viral dessert challenges.
Aside from setting global dessert trends, Korean cafes are also embracing healthy alternatives such as vegan Korean desserts, sugar-free options, gluten-free variations, and the inclusion of superfood ingredients to cater to various dietary needs and preferences so there’s something for everyone.
Tip: When exploring Korea’s dessert scene, check social media for the latest trends, visit during off-peak hours (2pm - 5pm), look for seasonal specialities, and try combination sets for variety.
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