By Honorary Reporter Fotini Chatzoudi from Greece

Illustrations = Fotini Chatzoudi

The following five pastries have a common filling: sweetened red bean paste. In Korean, such paste is called danpat or danpatso.

Hodu gwaja
This walnut-shaped cake was invented in 1934 by a couple in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do Province. The treat is a specialty of the city as well as popular nationwide, with an outer dough mixed with crushed walnuts and wheat flour and a variety of fillings. Hodu is sold at street kiosks, food stalls at subway stations and bakeries.  

Chapssal
This donut with filling is made with glutinous rice flour and covered with sugar and cinnamon. It has a crusty texture on the outside and a soft texture on the inside. Chapssal means glutinous rice and is sold at many bakeries.

Hwangnam bread
Hwangnam bread is a round pastry with a chrysanthemum imprinted on top. Because it came from the Hwangnam-dong neighborhood of Gyeongju, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, it is also called "Gyeongju bread." Made from eggs and wheat flour, this treat is designated an "outstanding regional specialty" by the Korean government.

Kkulppang
Kkulppang (honey bread) is a fried bite-size treat coated with corn syrup and sesame seeds. The first person to make and sell this is believed to be Jeong Won-seok in 1963; he sold them at a stand in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. This treat got its name because the corn syrup outside the bread looks like honey. Other fillings include sweet potatoes, green tea, yuja (citrus fruit) and chestnuts.

Bungeoppang
This popular pastry is shaped like a carp, thus its name literally means "carp bread." It is traditionally sold by street kiosks that use a waffle iron with a fish-shaped mold. The popular fillings in this treat, which is especially popular in winter, are ice cream, custard and chocolate.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.