Danpatjuk (단팥죽)
Korea
Traditional Korean sweet porridge made from red beans, served hot with tender rice balls (tteok) and an aromatic garnish of pine nuts, chestnuts, and cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon adzuki (red bean)
- 8 cups water
- 1 tablespoon glutinous rice flour
- 2 tablespoon sugar (for porridge)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoon boiling water
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- 5 pieces chestnuts (boiled)
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Steps
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Discard damaged beans and rinse them.
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Add the beans and 4 cups of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
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Drain the water.
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Return the beans to the pot, add another 4 cups of water, cover, and simmer over medium‑low heat until the beans are very soft (about 1–1.5 hours).
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Puree the beans with the liquid until smooth and very fine.
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In a separate cup, dissolve 1 tablespoon of glutinous rice flour in ½ cup of water, then pour into the pot with the puree. Add ½ teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and honey to taste.
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Simmer uncovered over medium‑low heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes; if needed, thin with water to desired consistency.
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Mix ½ cup of glutinous rice flour, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
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Add 4 tablespoons of boiling water, stir with a spoon. When the dough cools enough, knead it by hand until smooth.
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Shape the dough into a cylinder about 3 cm thick, cut into pieces about 3 cm long, and roll each piece into a small ball.
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil, drop the balls in, and cook until they float (≈ 2–3 minutes).
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Transfer the balls to a large bowl of cold water, cool, then drain.
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Place a serving of porridge in a bowl, add a few hot rice balls, and garnish with pine nuts, chestnuts, and a pinch of cinnamon if desired.
FAQ
What is Danpatjuk (단팥죽)?
Danpatjuk is a traditional Korean sweet porridge made from red beans, often served warm with chewy rice cakes (tteok) and garnished with pine nuts or chestnuts.
How do you pronounce 단팥죽?
단팥죽 is pronounced 'Dan-pat-juk'. The 'dan' means sweet, 'pat' refers to red beans, and 'juk' means porridge.
Can I make Danpatjuk without adzuki beans?
While adzuki beans are traditional, you can substitute with other red beans, though the flavor and texture may vary slightly. Our AI assistant can help suggest alternatives!
What is Danpatjuk typically served with in Korea?
Danpatjuk is commonly served hot with small, chewy rice balls (saealsim or tteok) and often garnished with pine nuts, boiled chestnuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
How does Danpatjuk differ from other Asian sweet bean soups?
Danpatjuk is distinct due to its thicker, porridge-like consistency and often includes glutinous rice flour for texture, along with specific Korean garnishes like tteok and pine nuts, setting it apart from thinner Chinese or Japanese sweet red bean soups.