Yakgwa

Yakgwa
Alternative namesGwajul
TypeYumil-gwa
Place of originKorea
Associated cuisineKorean cuisine
Main ingredientsWheat flour, honey, sesame oil
Food energy
(per 1 serving)
67.5 kcal (282 kJ)
Korean name
Hangul
약과
Hanja
藥菓
RRyakgwa
MRyakkwa
IPA[jak̚.k͈wa]

Yakgwa (Korean: 약과), also called gwajul (과줄), is a type of yumil-gwa, which is deep-fried, wheat-based hangwa (Korean confection) made with honey, cheongju (rice wine), sesame oil, and ginger juice. Traditionally, the sweet was offered in a jesa (ancestral rite) and enjoyed on festive days such as chuseok (harvest festival), marriages, or hwangap (sixtieth-birthday) celebrations. In modern South Korea, it is also served as a dessert and can be bought at traditional markets or supermarkets.