Yaksik (Korean Sweet Rice with Dates)
Chewy steamed sticky rice with dark sugar, dates and sesame oil, sliced into squares for the Korean New Year.
- Time5 hr 30
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.40 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then soak in plenty of cold water for 4 hours or overnight. Drain well.
240 min - 2
Line a steamer basket with a damp cloth or baking paper. Spread the rice in it and steam over boiling water for 35 minutes, until the grains are soft and translucent.
35 min - 3
Tip the hot rice into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar, tamari, sesame oil, cinnamon, dates, raisins and 100 ml water with a wet spoon until every grain is dark and glossy.
- 4
Return the mix to the steamer, still covered with the cloth, and steam for another 40 minutes until sticky and richly brown.
40 min - 5
Press firmly into a lined 20 cm square tin. Scatter with the pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds and press them in.
- 6
Cool for 1 hour, then cut into squares. Serve at room temperature; it keeps for 3 days.
60 min
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
