Yaksik Korean Sticky Rice
KoreanDessert

Recipe Story

origins & traditions

Yaksik is a beloved Korean dessert traditionally prepared for special occasions and holidays. This nutritious sticky rice dish combines glutinous rice steamed with dried jujubes, chestnuts, raisins, and pine nuts, all bound together with a fragrant mixture of honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The result is a chewy, naturally sweet confection with complex flavors and varied textures. Each bite offers the tender chewiness of sticky rice punctuated by the crunch of nuts and the natural sweetness of dried fruits. Historically served during celebrations like weddings and ancestral memorial services, yaksik represents prosperity and good fortune. The combination of ingredients provides not only delicious flavor but also nutritional benefits, making it a wholesome dessert that has been cherished across generations in Korean culture.

Instructions

step by step
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  1. Rinse the glutinous rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in cold water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain well before cooking.

  2. Soak the dried jujubes in warm water for 20 minutes to soften. Remove pits and slice into thin strips. Soak raisins in warm water for 10 minutes and drain.

  3. If using dried chestnuts, soak in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain and chop into small pieces. If using fresh or vacuum-packed chestnuts, simply chop them.

  4. In a large pot, combine the drained rice with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is partially cooked but still slightly firm.

  5. While rice is cooking, prepare the sweetening mixture. In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat.

  6. Once rice is partially cooked, add the jujube strips, raisins, chopped chestnuts, and pine nuts to the pot. Pour the honey-sugar mixture over the rice and stir gently but thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

  7. Cover the pot again and continue cooking over very low heat for another 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The rice should become sticky and glossy, with all liquid absorbed.

  8. When done, the yaksik should be shiny, sticky, and fragrant. Remove from heat and let it rest covered for 10 minutes.

  9. Transfer to a serving dish or press into a rectangular pan and cut into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Yaksik Korean Sticky Rice

4.6 (38)

A traditional Korean celebratory dessert made with glutinous rice, jujubes, chestnuts, pine nuts, and sweetened with honey and brown sugar, creating a rich and aromatic one-pot treat.

medium
1h 15m
8 servings

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

  • 3 cups rice-white, glutinous/sweet rice, soaked 4 hours
  • 12 pieces date, dried jujubes, pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cups grape, raisins, soaked and drained

Sweetening Mixture

  • 6 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy-sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sesame-oil
  • 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
  • 1/4 teaspoons salt

Chef Tips

expert advice
For best results, use Korean glutinous rice (also called sweet rice) which has the proper stickiness.
The ratio of honey to brown sugar can be adjusted to your taste preference—more honey creates a more aromatic sweetness while more brown sugar gives a deeper, molasses-like flavor.
Toast the pine nuts lightly in a dry pan before adding to enhance their nutty aroma.
You can substitute dates for jujubes if Korean jujubes are unavailable.
For a richer version, add a tablespoon of butter along with the sweetening mixture.
Some families add black sesame seeds for extra nutrition and visual appeal.
The soy sauce may seem unusual in a dessert, but it adds depth and balances the sweetness perfectly—do not omit it.
If the mixture seems too dry during cooking, add water one tablespoon at a time.
For individual servings, press the warm yaksik into oiled molds or muffin tins and unmold when cooled.