Yaksik (Korean Sweet Rice with Dates and Chestnuts)
Sticky glutinous rice steamed with dark sugar, sesame oil, dates and chestnuts, a rich and fragrant festival sweet.
- Time1 hr 45
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.70 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
Drain the rice and steam it in a lined steamer over boiling water for 30 minutes, until just tender but still a little firm.
30 min - 2
Tip the hot rice into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, cinnamon, salt and water until the sugar melts, then mix in the dates, chestnuts and raisins.
- 3
Cover the bowl and leave for 20 minutes to soak up the flavours.
- 4
Transfer to a lined heatproof dish about 20 cm square, pressing down firmly. Scatter over the pine nuts.
- 5
Cover tightly with foil and steam for 40 minutes, until the rice is shiny, deep brown and sticky.
40 min - 6
Press it down again, leave for 15 minutes to firm up, then cut into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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.
