Yakgwa
In its own language: 약과
Deep-fried Korean sweet made with wheat flour, honey, and sesame oil
Yakgwa is a traditional Korean sweet made by deep-frying wheat flour dough mixed with honey, sesame oil, rice wine, and ginger juice. Once fried, the cookies are soaked in honey syrup, giving them a chewy texture and a lightly sweet, nutty flavor. Once reserved for special occasions and rituals, yakgwa is now enjoyed as a dessert or snack across South Korea.
- Yakgwa is a deep-fried Korean sweet soaked in honey syrup
- Traditionally served at festivals, weddings, and ancestral rites
- Its flower-like shape symbolizes good wishes and fortune
- Once reserved for the upper class, now enjoyed by everyone
- Main ingredients are wheat flour, honey, sesame oil, and ginger juice
What is Yakgwa?
Yakgwa is a Korean confection shaped like a flower, made from wheat flour, honey, sesame oil, rice wine, and ginger juice. The dough is deep-fried, then soaked in honey syrup, which gives the cookie a chewy, sticky texture and a sweet, slightly nutty taste. Its surface is often decorated with a rippled edge and a sprinkle of sesame seeds in the center. Yakgwa is known for its syrupy flavor and is widely available in shops and markets throughout South Korea.
Where does Yakgwa come from?
Yakgwa has a long history in Korea, dating back to at least the Later Silla era, when it was made for Buddhist rites. It became popular among royalty and aristocrats during the Goryeo dynasty, when honey was considered medicinal and reserved for the wealthy. Over time, yakgwa's shape changed from birds and animals to a flatter, flower-like form for easier stacking and presentation. Patterns on the cookie, like butterflies or pine trees, symbolize good wishes. Today, yakgwa is enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
How is Yakgwa made?
To make yakgwa, wheat flour is mixed with honey, sesame oil, rice wine, and ginger juice to form a dough. The dough is shaped, often with a flower-like mold, and deep-fried until golden. After frying, the cookies are soaked in a honey syrup, which gives them their characteristic sweetness and chewy texture. Sometimes, ginger powder is used in the syrup for added flavor and to help preserve the cookies.
How and when is Yakgwa eaten?
Yakgwa is served as a dessert or snack, often with tea. It is a common treat during Korean festivals such as Chuseok and Seollal, and is also given as a gift at weddings or sixtieth-birthday celebrations. In the past, it was offered during ancestral rites. Today, yakgwa can be found in both traditional markets and modern supermarkets, and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Kinds of Yakgwa
Yakgwa's shape and presentation have evolved over time, from animal and bird forms to the current flower-like design. Modern versions may use ginger powder in the syrup for better preservation and health benefits. Some recent innovations include baking instead of frying, and adding medicinal plant powders to the dough to reduce fat and calories while enhancing flavor and antioxidant properties.
What Yakgwa means
Yakgwa holds a special place in Korean culture, symbolizing celebration and good fortune. It is closely tied to important festivals and life events, such as Chuseok, Seollal, weddings, and sixtieth birthdays. The patterns pressed into the cookies carry wishes for happiness, prosperity, and harmony. Once a luxury for the elite, yakgwa is now a beloved sweet for all.
When Yakgwa is on the table
Questions people ask about Yakgwa
What is yakgwa made of?
Yakgwa is made from wheat flour, honey, sesame oil, rice wine, and ginger juice. The dough is deep-fried and then soaked in honey syrup, giving it a sweet and chewy texture.
Where does yakgwa come from?
Yakgwa comes from Korea and has a history dating back to the Later Silla era. It has long been part of Korean festive and ritual food traditions.
When is yakgwa usually eaten?
Yakgwa is commonly eaten during Korean festivals like Chuseok and Seollal, at weddings, sixtieth-birthday celebrations, and as a dessert or snack with tea.
What does yakgwa look and taste like?
Yakgwa is shaped like a flower with a rippled edge and sesame seeds in the center. It has a chewy, sticky texture and a sweet, slightly nutty flavor from the honey and sesame oil.
Are there different versions of yakgwa?
Yes, yakgwa has evolved in shape and preparation. Some modern versions use ginger powder or are baked instead of fried, and may include medicinal plant powders for health benefits.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Yakgwa", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from South Korea
All the food of South Korea
KabochaVeganカボチャ
🇯🇵 Japan and 5 moreA sweet, dense winter squash with edible skin, used in Japanese and Asian cooking
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
SikhyeVegan식혜
🇰🇷 South KoreaSweet Korean rice drink made by fermenting rice with malt
Drink
MacaronVegetarian
🇫🇷 France and 5 moreAlmond meringue sandwich cookie with a creamy or jam filling
Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time
Red bean pasteVegan
🇯🇵 Japan and 2 moreSweet or plain paste made from boiled adzuki beans, used in East Asian desserts
Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time
Its cousins elsewhere
All sweets and desserts
Doughnut
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreSweet fried or baked rings or balls, often glazed or filled
Sweet or dessert, Breakfast, Snacks
Crêpe
🇫🇷 FranceThin French pancakes, served sweet or savoury with a range of fillings
Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch
AmygdalotaVegetarianΑμυγδαλωτά
🇬🇷 GreeceAlmond cookies from the Cyclades, often shaped into pears or balls
Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time
Majounمعجون
🇲🇦 MoroccoA Moroccan sweet paste or fudge often made with cannabis and dried fruits
Sweet or dessert, Snacks