Yaksik

A common staple at every special occasion in Korea is a rich and sweet rice cake known as yaksik. It is made with a combination of steamed glutinous rice, honey, pine nuts, dried jujube fruit, and chestnuts. The dessert is infused with a dark brown sauce consisting of caramelized sugar, cinnamon, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The cake is then steamed until all the elements are bound and the sauce develops a more pronounced flavor. The sticky and warm yaksik is usually scooped with a spoon from the tray, and when chilled, it is easily cut into squares and can be eaten by hand.