Easy Microwave Yakbap (Korean Sweet Rice)
Easy Microwave Yakbap (Korean Sweet Rice)
Effortless Holiday Treat! Make Delicious Yakbap Easily in the Microwave!
Don’t let holiday cooking stress you out! Yakbap, a traditional Korean sweet rice dish, can be made incredibly simple with just your microwave. This recipe offers a quick and easy way to enjoy the delightful chewy texture of glutinous rice, sweet dates, savory chestnuts, and crunchy pine nuts. Perfect for making your Chuseok or Seollal celebrations even more special without the fuss!
Essential Ingredients- 1 cup glutinous rice (approx. 150g)
- 5 dates (seeds removed, thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts (approx. 10g)
- 3 chestnuts (peeled and quartered)
- 1 cup water (approx. 200ml)
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar (approx. 30g)
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- Pinch of cinnamon powder (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar (approx. 30g)
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- Pinch of cinnamon powder (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse 1 cup of glutinous rice in a bowl until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in cold water for 20 to 30 minutes. This soaking process ensures the rice becomes tender and develops a chewy texture.
Step 2
Prepare the ingredients that will go into your yakbap. Remove the seeds from 5 dates and thinly slice them. Peel the 3 chestnuts and cut them into quarters. Have the 1 tablespoon of pine nuts ready.
Step 3
Let’s make the sauce, the heart of delicious yakbap! Combine 2 1/2 tablespoons of brown sugar for a deep sweetness, 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma, 1 1/2 tablespoons of soy sauce for savory depth, and 1/2 tablespoon of honey for a smooth sweetness and glossy finish. Add a pinch of cinnamon powder for fragrant notes and a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. Mix well to create your sauce.
Step 4
Drain the soaked glutinous rice well. In a microwave-safe dish, combine 1 cup of water (approx. 200ml), the prepared sauce, and the sliced dates, quartered chestnuts, and pine nuts. Add the drained glutinous rice and gently stir to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Microwave for 15 to 20 minutes. (Cooking time may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage; 700W is a guideline).
Step 5
After the initial 15-20 minute cooking time, resist the urge to open the microwave immediately! Let the yakbap steam inside the microwave for an additional 2 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a moist and deeply flavorful dish.
Step 6
Once the steaming is done, carefully remove the dish from the microwave. Drizzle with 1/4 tablespoon of sesame oil and gently mix it through. This final touch adds a wonderful nutty fragrance that makes the yakbap even more enticing.
Step 7
Transfer the cooked yakbap to a serving plate or tray, spreading it out slightly. Letting it cool for a bit will help it set, making it easier to slice. Cut into your desired shapes and sizes, and enjoy! It’s delicious served warm, but the chewy texture is also fantastic once it has cooled.
