When the cold winds start to blow, there’s nothing like a warm, sweet potato or “goguma“.
This humble root is THE winter treat, enjoyed in many ways.
Here’s how Koreans eat sweet potatoes!
Quick Summary
- Roasting is the most popular way to enjoy a sweet potato. Pair it with a glass of milk, some kimchi, or dongchimi for a truly Korean experience.
- Steamed and boiled sweet potatoes are common recipes for health-conscious Koreans.
- Koreans enjoy sweet potato desserts like goguma mattang, goguma latte, and goguma cake.
- Koreans even have sweet potato pizza, using sweet potato mousse as a topping or a filling in the pizza crust.
- Fried sweet potatoes go perfectly when dipped in a spicy tteokbokki sauce.
1. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasting is the most popular way to enjoy sweet potatoes in Korea.
Street vendors with small carts and makeshift wood-fired ovens pop up on streets during winter, selling perfectly roasted goguma with crispy skin and soft, steaming flesh.
If you can’t spot the vendors, don’t worry. Convenience stores sell them as well.
Also, many Koreans roast sweet potatoes at home with an air fryer!
Pro Tip: Try pairing them with a glass of milk, some kimchi, or dongchimi (radish water kimchi) for a truly Korean experience. Surprisingly, it works and tastes even better!
2. Steamed and Boiled Sweet Potatoes
Steaming and boiling are other common ways for Koreans.
Steaming preserves more moisture, giving the goguma a softer, creamier texture compared to roasting.
Health-conscious people prefer these, as they’re low-calorie, nutrient-dense snacks both filling and satisfying.
Many Koreans enjoy sweet potatoes as a light breakfast, meal replacement, or post-workout snack.
3. Sweet Potato Desserts
What’s better than sweet on sweets?
“Goguma mattang” is a candied dish where sweet potatoes are deep-fried and then coated in a glossy caramel glaze.
The result is a crunchy, sweet, and sticky delight.
I still remember the goguma mattang my mom made when I was 5. I went to a sweet potato farm for a kindergarten field trip and harvested ’90s telephone-sized sweet potatoes. She turned them into the dessert the same day – still the best I’ve had.
Another popular dessert drink is “goguma latte.”
It’s a creamy, hot beverage made by blending steamed sweet potatoes with milk and honey. You can try this seasonal drink at Korean coffee shops.
It’s the perfect drink when you’re craving something warm and sweet without caffeine.
You can also try “goguma cake” at Korean bakeries. It has sweet potato mousse and is pretty delicious.
4. Sweet Potato Pizza
Koreans even have sweet potato pizza. (Please don’t get mad at me if you’re Italian.)
They use sweet potato mousse as a topping, or a filling hidden in the pizza crust.
It’s a unique Korean invention that perfectly blends sweet and savory flavors. Even Domino’s Pizza in Korea sells it.
I think this recipe exists because many older Koreans believe that pizza is a snack, not a meal.
5. Fried Sweet Potatoes
Koreans also eat fried sweet potatoes by slicing them thick, coating them in batter, and deep frying them.
With a sweet taste and crunchy texture, they go perfectly when dipped in a spicy tteokbokki sauce.
Different Types of Sweet Potatoes
In Korea, sweet potatoes come in a variety of textures and flavors.
- Bam Goguma (Chestnut Sweet Potato) has a dense, chestnut-like texture for those who like a more substantial bite.
- Mul Goguma (Water Sweet Potato) is soft and moist, making it easy to chew and popular among those who prefer a creamier consistency.
- Hobak Goguma (Pumpkin Sweet Potato) is the go-to choice for those who crave something sweeter. It has golden-yellow flesh, reminiscent of sweet pumpkin, offering a rich and velvety flavor.
Koreans Also Enjoy Sweet Potatoes With Furry Friends!
Sweet potatoes aren’t just for people in Korea. They’re a favorite among dogs too!
Roasted or steamed sweet potatoes are a healthy, tasty treat for your furry friends.
Just be sure to peel them first and keep portions in check, as too much can lead to weight gain.
Every year when the sweet potato season comes around, you can see so many dog owners visiting vets with their fat dogs who had too many sweet potatoes.
If you ever find yourself in Korea during the winter, make sure to try goguma in every delicious form.
It’s a taste of Korean comfort food that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out!
