A Korean Baker Shares All About the Korean Dessert Yaksik

When it comes to Korean desserts, yaksik is incredibly popular for festive occasions, including weddings. The delicious rice-based dish is often made with love by family members for parties, although caterers have perfected making it for large groups, too.

To get a deeper understanding of one of the most scrumptious-looking Korean wedding foods, we spoke with Eunhwa Marie Kim, the owner and cake designer at Bakes by Marie in Norwood, New Jersey. She shared her expertise on this dessert, including how to make yaksik and how it fits into other Korean wedding traditions.

In this article: What Is Yaksik? | Yaksik Significance for Weddings | Where to Find Yaksik Near You | Yaksik Recipe

What Is Yaksik?

"Yaksik (약식) is a traditional Korean sweet rice dessert made with glutinous rice, dark brown sugar, soy sauce and sesame oil, combined with chestnuts, jujubes (Korean dates) and pine nuts," Kim shares. "Its flavor is mildly sweet, nutty and slightly savory, while the texture is soft and chewy.

"The honey or sugar provides sweetness, the soy sauce adds depth, and the sesame oil contributes richness," Kim continues. "The chestnuts, jujubes and pine nuts give layers of flavor and texture, making yaksik both comforting and celebratory." This makes it the perfect dish for a wedding dessert table or similar spots.

What Is the Difference Between Yaksik and Yakbap?

Kim notes, "The two terms yaksik and yakbap generally refer to the same dish. 'Sik' means 'food,' while 'bap' means 'rice,' so the names are often used interchangeably. Traditionally, yaksik was considered more formal and ceremonial, while yakbap was the everyday name. Today, most people use both terms synonymously."

Yaksik Significance for Weddings

"Yaksik is often prepared for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, first-birthday celebrations (doljanchi) and holidays like the Lunar New Year," Kim says. "Its ingredients carry symbolic meanings: chestnuts, jujubes and pine nuts are linked to harmony, prosperity and longevity, which is why the dessert is especially meaningful for celebratory events." It could also be prepared as a treat for a paebaek ceremony.

Where to Find Yaksik Near You

If you're wondering where to buy Korean yaksik, you can head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace and search for caterers and restaurants able to make your dream come true. Using the filter option, select "Korean" to focus on chefs who can bring yaksik recipes to life. They will also be able to advise on how to incorporate it alongside other wedding dessert ideas.

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Of course, couples can always request it be made by their loved ones! Kim highlights, "In many households, elders prepare yaksik for holidays or milestone events, passing down both the recipe and the tradition of sharing blessings with the younger generation. Every family has slightly different methods or ingredient preferences. Some families steam the rice first, then mix it with the seasoning and nuts before steaming again, while others cook it all together in a rice cooker. Honey can be replaced with brown sugar, and some families add raisins or walnuts."

Photo: photo1 / Imazins | Getty

Yaksik Recipe

If you or a loved one is hoping to make the Korean yaksik dessert at home, Kim shares a traditional yakbap recipe for making it, including the most important tips below. Or you can hire a local vendor to make it for you (which you can find on The Knot Vendor Marketplace). As with many global wedding traditions, there can be a lot of variation based on family preferences.

Here are the yaksik ingredients you'll need:

• 4 cups short-grain, glutinous rice, also known as chapssal (찹쌀) in Korean
• ½ cup brown sugar or honey
• 2 Tbl. soy sauce
• 2 Tbl. sesame oil
• Heavy pinch of cinnamon
• 20 chestnuts, skinned and diced
• 2 Tbl. pine nuts
• 20 dried jujubes, pitted and thinly sliced

1. Wash and Soak the Rice

To prepare the rice properly, Kim says you must "wash the glutinous rice two to three times, then drain it in a colander and let it soak for two to three hours (this soaking step gives yaksik its signature chewy texture). Alternatively, you can wash and drain the rice the night before and leave it covered in the refrigerator until ready to use."

2. Steam the Rice and Prepare the Sauce

Steam the rice according to package directions "until it is about half-cooked." While that is going, "prepare a seasoning sauce with honey (or brown sugar), soy sauce, sesame oil and a pinch of cinnamon."

3. Mix and Steam Partially Cooked Rice With Add-Ins

Kim advises to "mix the half-cooked rice with the seasoning, chestnuts, jujubes and pine nuts, then steam the mixture again until fully cooked and tender."

4. Finishing the Yaksik or Yakbap

Lastly, "transfer it into a greased pan or mold, press it firmly, and let it cool before slicing into squares or diamond shapes," Kim shares. "For a modern shortcut, you can also place all the ingredients into a rice cooker and use the "glutinous rice" setting for an easy yaksik."

This is a fast yaksik recipe you can use for any celebratory occasion. This yakbap recipe can be stored in the fridge for a few days or frozen, tightly wrapped, for up to two months.