Making Hangwa Korean Traditional Cookies

The best way to better understand other cultures is to embrace their cuisines and more often than not as you start trying different foods, you become more and more experimental. When it comes to deserts and treats, we tend to stick with the norm, which isn’t really adventurous!

The team break to mould and try something completely different. An almost addictive treat with interesting ancient tradition, they try the traditional biscuit for Korean people, Hangwa.

Hangwa quite literally means Korean confectionary and it doesn’t seem to have moved very far from the Korean shores just yet. The history of this delicious treat goes back some 2,000 years and was used in special ceremonies, as it was the Royal’s favourite treat. The cookie became so popular that the King enforced a rule that commoners weren’t allowed to eat this confectionary except for special occasions. The restrictions on the biscuit continued through the Joseon Period from 1392 to 1910. If you broke this rule, you would be subject to 80 lashes with a bamboo rod! The influences that come from making this treat are from both North and South of Korea, finding a unique blend of both.

Crunchy on the outside and soft as meringue on the inside, this sweet and delicious dish is first cut into small strips and deep-fried. Once dried, they are delicately shielded in honey and coated in an array of coatings.

We promise, if you try Hangwa you will just love it and you can even get it in Australia from Korean supermarkets.

For more information on making Korean cookies, CLICK HERE

The Korea Tourism Organization website on: www.visitkorea.org.au

If you’d like to receive a FREE information pack with guidebooks and maps, email visitkorea@knto.org.au for more information.