Simple “Yaksik” (Sweet Rice)
Simple “Yaksik” (Sweet Rice)
Easy Homemade Sweet Rice with Traditional Korean Tea
Craving some sweet and chewy Yaksik but don’t have time to soak glutinous rice? This super simple recipe uses a convenient Korean herbal tea blend (‘Ssanghwacha’) to create a delicious and aromatic sweet rice dish in no time! Perfect for a quick homemade treat.
Main Ingredients- 1 cup glutinous rice (approx. 180ml, measured with a rice cup)
- Assorted nuts (e.g., walnuts, almonds), to taste
- Dried jujubes (dates), to taste
Seasoning & Other Ingredients- 150ml water
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 sachets Ssanghwacha (Korean herbal tea, liquid form)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 150ml water
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 sachets Ssanghwacha (Korean herbal tea, liquid form)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse 1 cup of glutinous rice thoroughly. Using a standard Korean rice cup (180ml) ensures the correct measurement. The beauty of this recipe is that you don’t need to pre-soak the rice!
Step 2
Place the rinsed glutinous rice into your rice cooker. Add 150ml of water. You might need to slightly adjust the water amount depending on the type or freshness of your glutinous rice.
Step 3
Now, add all the seasoning ingredients to the rice cooker to create the distinctive Yaksik flavor. Combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 sachets of Ssanghwacha, 2 Tbsp sugar, and 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil. Add your desired amount of assorted nuts and dried jujubes. Tip: For the jujubes, remove the seeds and chop them into bite-sized pieces for a better texture. Be mindful not to add too many nuts, as this can absorb too much moisture, potentially making the rice too dry.
Step 4
Using a spatula, mix all the ingredients in the rice cooker thoroughly. Ensure the glutinous rice, seasonings, and additions are evenly distributed for consistent flavor throughout.
Step 5
Once everything is mixed, close the lid and press the ‘Cook’ or ‘White Rice’ button on your rice cooker, just as you would for regular rice. Let the magic happen as your Yaksik cooks!
Step 6
When the cooking cycle is complete, open the rice cooker! Your delicious Yaksik is ready. You might notice the rice grains are clumped together, so gently stir and loosen them with your spatula.
Step 7
Line a tray or container with plastic wrap. Scoop the cooked Yaksik onto the plastic wrap. Lining the container makes it easier to remove the Yaksik later and keeps things hygienic.
Step 8
Allow the Yaksik to cool slightly, then cut it into your preferred serving sizes. I cut mine into 6 pieces (though they are uneven sizes!). Tip: Cutting while too hot can cause it to crumble, so waiting until it’s slightly cooled will give you cleaner cuts.
Step 9
Finally, wrap each piece individually with plastic wrap. This completes your homemade Yaksik! Wrapped this way, it’s perfect for enjoying as a snack on the go or for gifting. Enjoy your sweet, chewy, and homemade Yaksik!
