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    Home » All Recipes » Asian Recipes

    Perfect Baked Korean Sweet Potatoes (Gungoguma 군고구마)

    Published: Jul 25, 2021 · Modified: Jul 25, 2021 by Jamie · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Roasted Korean sweet potatoes split in half to reveal caramelized inside.
    Roasted Korean sweet potatoes held by hand.
    Baked Korean sweet potatoes with yellow flesh and purple skin.

    Try these perfectly baked Korean sweet potatoes that are sweet, soft, and fluffy on the inside with crispy purple skin. It's roasted until tender and caramelized with a sweet chestnut flavor!

    Korean sweet potatoes baked in the oven until soft and fluffy split open to reveal golden yellow flesh with crispy purple skin.

    Baked Korean sweet potatoes are an easy and delicious snack that's great all year round but especially during the fall and winter. It's roasted until soft and caramelized on the inside with a crispy skin on the outside.

    Korean sweet potato baked until golden brown and caramelized split in half to reveal golden yellow color inside.

    All About Korean Sweet Potatoes (고구마)

    Korean sweet potatoes, called goguma (고구마) are a healthy, delicious snack that's popular all throughout Korea. They're sweet, satisfying, and full of healthy carbohydrates that will keep you full for hours.

    They're so popular in Korea, they're sold from street vendors and even made into cakes, cookies, chips, and bread!

    Varieties of Korean sweet potatoes:

    Bam goguma 밤고구마 (Chestnut sweet potatoes): These have a chestnut like flavor and turn a golden, yellow color when roasted. The flesh is slighter more dense and dry. The skin is edible with a reddish, purple hue that gets crispy when baked.

    Hand holding a roasted Korean sweet potato baked until soft and fluffy.

    Mul goguma 물고구마 (Water sweet potatoes): Water sweet potatoes have a higher water content compared to chestnut sweet potatoes, hence their name. They also have a reddish, purple skin with a golden yellow flesh, though they come smaller in size.

    Baked Korean sweet potatoes also called gungoguma 군고구마 on a white plate.

    Benefits

    • Great source of fiber in both the skin and the flesh.
    • Full of vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, selenium, and calcium.
    • Keeps you full for hours.
    • Great source of healthy carbohydrates.

    Where to buy them

    You can find them in Korean grocery stores and most Asian grocery stores. They're also called Japanese sweet potatoes, Asian sweet potatoes, and Korean yam.

    Look for ones that have a smooth, blemish free skin and feel firm to the touch.

    Korean sweet potatoes vs American sweet potatoes

    Korean sweet potatoes next to American sweet potatoes.

    American sweet potatoes have a bright orange flesh and high water content making them great for casseroles and mashed sweet potatoes.

    The Korean variety on the other hand, usually have a yellow or pale white flesh with a denser, drier texture depending on the variety. I find the Korean variety to be sweeter, though they're both great options for baking and roasting.

    Try out my baked American sweet potato recipe!

    perfect baked sweet potato cut open to reveal fluffy inside with a pad of butter

    How to Bake Korean Sweet Potatoes

    Korean sweet potatoes being poked with a fork before roasting.
    1. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes then take a fork and poke about 5 to 6 holes per potato. This is to help the steam vent during the bake.
    Korean sweet potatoes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
    Korean sweet potatoes baking in the oven.
    1. Place it on a baking rack lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the width of the sweet potatoes.
    Roasted Korean sweet potatoes (Gungoguma 군고구마) with wrinkled purple skin.
    1. They're ready when soft and fluffy. Use a fork or toothpick to pierce the sweet potatoes to check that it's fork tender. The skin should start to wrinkle and easily separate from the flesh when removed from the oven.
    Hand holding a roasted Korean sweet potato baked until soft and fluffy.

    Other ways to enjoy them

    • Goguma Mattang (Candied Korean Sweet Potatoes)
    Korean caramelized sweet potatoes garnished with black sesame seeds
    • Sweet potato bread
    • Dried sweet potato strips
    • Sweets - sweet potato cakes, cookies, chips
    • Sweet potato pizza
    Hand holding a perfectly baked Korean sweet potato with golden, caramelized inside and crisp purple skin.

    FAQ

    How are Korean sweet potatoes different from American sweet potatoes?

    American sweet potatoes have a bright orange flesh and high water content making them great for casseroles and mashed sweet potatoes.

    On the other hand, the Korean variety usually has a yellow or pale white flesh with a denser, drier texture depending on the variety. I find these to be sweeter, though they're both great options for baking and roasting.

    What are the health benefits of Korean sweet potatoes?

    They're a great source of fiber in both the skin and the flesh, they're full of vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, selenium, and calcium.

    I hope you enjoy this recipe! Please share, rate, or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

    Come find me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram! Share your recipes by tagging @drivemehungry. I love seeing your creations!

    Thanks so much for stopping by! 🧡 -Jamie


    More recipes:

    • Candied Korean Sweet Potatoes (Goguma Mattang 고구마 맛탕)
    • Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes - Baking times and optional toppings included!
    • Roasted Kabocha Squash | Japanese Pumpkin
    • Kabocha Squash Fries | Japanese Pumpkin Fries
    Korean sweet potatoes baked until soft and fluffy with crispy purple skin.

    Perfect Baked Korean Sweet Potatoes

    Try these perfectly baked Korean sweet potatoes that are sweet, soft, and fluffy on the inside with crispy purple skin. It's roasted until tender and caramelized with a sweet chestnut flavor!
    5 from 97 votes
    Pin Share Print
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Snack
    Cuisine Asian, Japanese, Korean
    Servings 6

    ☑ Ingredients
     

    • 4 Korean sweet potatoes
    • pinch of salt - for serving
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Prep: Preheat to 400° F. Wash the sweet potatoes and using a fork, poke a few holes in them to allow venting. See Note 1.
      4 Korean sweet potatoes
      Korean sweet potatoes being poked with a fork before roasting.
    • Bake: Bake until soft and fork tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the thickness of the sweet potatoes. Use a toothpick or fork to check for doneness. There should be no resistance. See Note 2.
      Korean sweet potatoes baking in the oven.
    • Serve: Remove from the oven and serve once cool enough to handle. The skin should be wrinkled and easily separate. Sprinkle with salt if preferred. Enjoy!
      pinch of salt
      Roasted Korean sweet potatoes (Gungoguma 군고구마) with wrinkled purple skin.

    ✎ Recipe Notes

    1. Poke 4 to 6 holes per sweet potato.
    2. There's no need to wait for the oven to preheat. Add the sweet potatoes in the oven once prepped.
    3. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
    4. Freeze for up to 1 month.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 508mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 21375IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was and give it a 5 star rating! Tag @drivemehungry to show off your creations! I love seeing your photos!

    *Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.

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