Dalgona

Dalgona is known as a snack once sold outside schools or in market alleys, made with a small ladle and a metal griddle. Rather than a luxury sweet from a time when sugar was scarce, it was closer to an inexpensive street snack made on the spot with just a few ingredients.

Depending on the region and generation, some people distinguish between “달고나 (dalgona, Dalgona)” and “뽑기 (ppopgi, ‘picking out’),” while others use the names almost interchangeably. One account says the name “뽑기 (ppopgi, ‘picking out’)” came from the game: if you could pick out a star or umbrella shape without breaking it, you got another one.

Dalgona is less a confection to keep and eat over time than a snack best eaten right where it is made. At tourist-area street stalls, vendors sometimes sell it together with the game: you choose a shape, then use a small needle or toothpick to pick around the outline. Whether you get a prize for succeeding depends on the shop.

The flavor is sweet like caramel, with a faintly burnt sugar aroma at the end. Baking soda makes the inside puff up lightly and turn crisp, but it becomes sticky quickly if it absorbs moisture from the air. Pieces that are too dark brown can taste strongly bitter; a light brown color with evenly visible bubbles is best for eating.