Sweets
붕어빵 Bungeoppang
A fish-shaped bread baked in an iron mold and filled with sweet red bean paste, sold at winter street stalls.
Spice: Not spicy
Hangwa (sweets)
약과 Yakgwa
A fried cookie of wheat flour, honey and sesame oil, soaked in syrup and eaten as a sweet snack.
- Honey Cookie
- Spice: Not spicy
- Vegetarian option
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Wheat flour, honey, sesame oil, grain syrup |
| How it's served | A few pieces at room temperature, on a small plate or wrapped one by one |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Vegetarian option — The dish is meat-free, or a meat-free version is commonly served. Still check the broth and sauces. |
| Allergens | Wheat · Sesame |
| Ask about | Pine nuts (tree nuts) are a traditional garnish; packaged yakgwa may contain soy or milk. |
| On the menu | 약과 (Yakgwa) |
| Also called | yakkwa · yak gwa · yakgua · Korean honey pastry |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Honey Cookie
Hold it over the plate
The surface is sticky with syrup. Use a napkin or keep the wrapper under it.
Take small bites
The cookie is dense and very sweet, so one piece goes a long way.
Sip tea between bites
Warm, unsweetened tea balances the honey and syrup.
How to order it
Order it as 약과. Tea houses serve a few pieces with tea, and shops sell it by the piece or pack, so one person can buy it alone.
- On the menu: 약과
- Usually sold: 1 piece or 1 pack
Where it comes from
The name yakgwa comes from the honey in the dough. The same yak appears in yaksik and yakju. Yakgwa is a standard food at Korean feasts and funeral rites.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
Questions about Honey Cookie
Is yakgwa vegetarian?
Usually yes. The dough is wheat flour, honey and sesame oil, with no meat. Packaged versions may add milk, so check the label or ask.
Why is it called yakgwa?
Because of the honey. Yak means medicine, and the name comes from the honey in the dough, as in yaksik and yakju.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 29, 2026