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The Rise of Traditional Korean Snacks Among Gen Z
In the ever-evolving world of food trends, a surprising phenomenon has emerged in Korea – the resurgence of traditional snacks among the younger generation. Yakgwa, a beloved Korean honey cookie, has been gaining immense popularity, particularly among the country’s Gen Z population.
The trend, dubbed “halmae-nials,” is a captivating blend of the Korean word “halmae,” meaning “granny,” and the term “millennial.” This phenomenon embraces and redefines the granny style, with honey cookies becoming a favorite snack among Millennials and Gen Z Koreans. They don’t even mind waiting in long lines to purchase these handmade delicacies, which they affectionately refer to as “halmaenial desserts.”
The Allure of Traditional Korean Snacks
The rise of traditional Korean snacks among the younger generation can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the “granny chic” style has become a prevalent trend in both food and fashion, with young Koreans embracing the nostalgic and authentic charm of these time-honored treats. The Yakgwa cookie, in particular, has become a symbol of this movement, representing a connection to Korea’s rich cultural heritage.
Additionally, the growing interest in artisanal and handcrafted products has fueled the demand for these traditional snacks. The Millennials and Gen Z Koreans are drawn to the authenticity and craftsmanship that goes into the creation of these cookies, often waiting patiently in long lines to secure their share of
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Rediscovering the Delightful World of Korean Rice Cakes
Rice cakes have been a staple food in most East Asian countries that grow rice as their staple crop, and they’re especially popular as a snack in Korea, where they can be found in convenience stores and subway station kiosks. Because rice cakes are quite filling, they were either thought of as more of meal replacements or old-fashioned snacks associated with traditional tea, especially in terms of their characteristic chewiness and sweetness. Due to these facts, they were more popular among the older generations, rather than youngsters. But with the retro wave sweeping over the world of desserts in Korea, fusion-style desserts made with rice cakes are becoming ever more popular with the younger generation. Instead of more common types of rice cake that are usually chewy or springier in texture, snow white rice cake and steamed rice cake with a light and fluffy texture are used as the sponge of the cake. Put together with cream and various toppings, these fusion-style rice cakes go well not only with traditional beverages but also with cafe-style beverages like coffee and ade as well. Furthermore, these cakes utilize the “halmae-nial” ingredients like black sesame, matcha, and pumpkin to seamlessly connect the art of rice cakes with contemporary dessert cakes and capture the trendy taste buds of young consumers. Snow white rice cake topped with bittersweet matcha cream and rice roll cake topped with black sesame became particularly popular among people of all age and gender. The popularity of such rice cakes can be seen in the fact that , a Korean TV show in its second season that visits bakeries throughout Korea, even had a cafe specializing in such rice cakes that rank high in popularity in any given region. So if you want to see a new side of rice cakes that is different from the rice cakes you are used to, follow the youngsters and opt for some party rice cake.
Places that Serve Excellent Party Rice Cake
Honey Cookies: A Sweet Comeback of a Traditional Korean Delight
Honey cookies are a traditional Korean snack made of dough using honey, flour, water, oil, and liquor, which is then shaped with a mold and deep-fried in oil. During the Goryeo period when sugar was not common, honey was a highly valued sweetener that was also used as a medicine. Yakgwa in Korean, was named as such because the name “Yak-gwa” literally means “medicinal-confection” in Korean. In the age where sweet foods were not common, honey cookies were a valuable confection that delivered luxurious sweet flavors to the eater, but its popularity fell with the emergence of a wide range of desserts, particularly among the younger consumers. Recently, honey cookies became popular among young Koreans. Famous honey cookie stores at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market see crowds of young visitors waiting for their turn, while others around Korea put their ticketing skills to good use in “Yaketing” (Yakgwa + Ticketing), races to secure their chances in getting highly coveted Yakgwa products that are said to be similar to ticketing races for K-Pop concerts. Posts boasting successful “Yaketing” can easily be found in social media as well. This honey cookie craze has also resulted in making it a popular ingredient for other types of new snacks as well. Yakgwa Cookies, Yakgwa Financier, Yakgwa Ice Cream, and other desserts utilizing honey cookie as an ingredient can be found not only at dessert cafes but also in convenience stores. Yakgwa cookies in particular has become popular for the combination of their characteristic texture and soft cream cheese. Honey cookies and other traditional Korean desserts have proved to be very popular overseas as well. Shopee Korea, an E-commerce platform serving Southeast Asian markets and Taiwan, saw the number of orders for traditional Korean desserts increase by 53% in the first half of 2023, compared to the previous year. In particular, honey cookie sales have increased by 450% from the previous year, demonstrating honey cookie’s popularity in Southeast Asian markets.
Places that Serve Excellent Honey Cookies
Gaeseong Juak: The Next Big Thing in Korean Snacks
Gaeseong juak is the most likely candidate to take over the popularity of honey cookies. Originating from Gaeseong, the ancient capital of Goryeo, Gaeseong juak is made by using the following recipe: First, knead a dough made with sweet rice powder, flour, and unrefined rice wine into a round and flat disc, then make an indent on the top of the disc for garnishing. Deep-fry the dough until golden, then coat the cake in malt syrup. Finally, add garnishing onto the indent on top of the disc, such as pumpkin seeds, jujube, or other types of nuts, to complete the delicious Gaeseong juak’s persimmon-like shape. Because Gaeseong juak is soaked in cinnamon malt syrup, it’s very sweet and crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. These days, Gaeseong juak is topped with novel garnishes like cream cheese, fruit, and chocolate. Because Gaeseong juak can present a variety of flavors and looks according to different garnishes used on the confection, it can appeal to a wide range of preferences. Because it’s beautifully decorated, Gaeseon juak makes a great snack or gift for guests and perfect for Social media photos.
Places that Serve Excellent Gaeseong Juak
In conclusion, the world of Korean snacks is constantly evolving, with traditional favorites like rice cakes and honey cookies finding new life through innovative fusion creations. Whether you’re a fan of classic flavors or seeking out the latest trendy treats, Korea’s vibrant snack scene has something to delight every palate. So why not embark on a delicious journey of discovery and explore the diverse and delightful world of Korean snacks?
