"Dalgona," once a forgotten snack, has been making a remarkable comeback among Koreans in recent years. Its resurgence began with its prominent appearance in the popular NETFLIX series "Squid Game," capturing the attention of viewers worldwide and sparking a wave of nostalgia among Koreans.
NETFLIX
The renewed interest in dalgona has even attracted an influx of foreign tourists seeking to taste this iconic treat, with street vendors occasionally spotted selling it. Today, let's delve into the story of dalgona.
The renewed interest in dalgona has even attracted an influx of foreign tourists seeking to taste this iconic treat, with street vendors occasionally spotted selling it. Today, let's delve into the story of dalgona.
Dalgona, known by various names depending on the region, was called "dalgona" or "bbopgi" in the Seoul metropolitan area. Alongside the names used in the metropolitan region, due to the success of "Squid Game," the name "dalgona" has become definitively established. There have even been reports that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is considering adding dalgona to its dictionary list.
Lee Jung-jae
The origin of the name "dalgona" is quite simple. According to an interview with Bae Jin-soo, the CEO who first introduced the finished product "dalgona" in the early 1960s, it was named after the phrase "(Dalguna)달구나," meaning "to be sweeter." This choice reflects the inherent sweetness of dalgona compared to regular sugar. Initially, dalgona was made by melting chunks of glucose, but over time, the recipe shifted to using sugar due to storage issues with glucose.
경남도민일보
1950 Korea
Making dalgona is a straightforward process. It involves heating a mixture of sugar and baking soda over a flame until it caramelizes. Similar recipes can be found beyond Korea, like the Western "honeycomb toffee" and Japanese "karumeyaki" sharing similar cooking methods.
Making dalgona is a straightforward process. It involves heating a mixture of sugar and baking soda over a flame until it caramelizes. Similar recipes can be found beyond Korea, like the Western "honeycomb toffee" and Japanese "karumeyaki" sharing similar cooking methods.
Honeycomb toffee
One distinguishing factor of dalgona is that while snacks with similar recipes are typically just broken apart and eaten, dalgona has evolved into a "game" of breaking it into pieces using molds. The appearance of dalgona in the drama "Squid Game" revolves around reviving childhood memories and participating in a deadly "game."
One distinguishing factor of dalgona is that while snacks with similar recipes are typically just broken apart and eaten, dalgona has evolved into a "game" of breaking it into pieces using molds. The appearance of dalgona in the drama "Squid Game" revolves around reviving childhood memories and participating in a deadly "game."
서울우유, Dalgona taste milk
During the 1970s and 1980s, dalgona reached its peak popularity as a street snack. Street vendors would sell dalgona in front of schools, while some shops near schools would make and sell them directly. Since dalgona could easily burn if cooked for too long, mastering the skill of stirring with sticks or wooden chopsticks was essential.
Many shops had their own unique services, with some offering an extra piece of dalgona if it was successfully separated according to the dalgona pattern. People had their own techniques for separating the dalgona pattern, and the protagonist of "Squid Game" was no exception. If you're curious about the winning technique, watch "Squid Game."
NETFLIX
While dalgona still exists today, its popularity has somewhat diminished. There are several factors contributing to this decline, including dalgona's classification as a representative junk food due to its lack of nutritional value. Additionally, government crackdowns on street vendors around the time of the 1988 Seoul Olympics may have played a role in its gradual disappearance.
While dalgona still exists today, its popularity has somewhat diminished. There are several factors contributing to this decline, including dalgona's classification as a representative junk food due to its lack of nutritional value. Additionally, government crackdowns on street vendors around the time of the 1988 Seoul Olympics may have played a role in its gradual disappearance.
데일리안
President of South Korea when he was a presidential candidate
Ultimately, the changing tastes of consumers, coupled with South Korea's rapid economic growth, led to the emergence of more upscale and diverse snack options. Despite this decline, dalgona remains a cherished symbol of Korean culture, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the country's culinary history.
국민일보
Ultimately, the changing tastes of consumers, coupled with South Korea's rapid economic growth, led to the emergence of more upscale and diverse snack options. Despite this decline, dalgona remains a cherished symbol of Korean culture, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the country's culinary history.
국민일보