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    Home » All Recipes » Desserts

    Candied Korean Sweet Potatoes (Goguma Mattang 고구마 맛탕)

    Published: Nov 21, 2020 · Modified: Jul 23, 2021 by Jamie · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

    868 shares
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    A piece of candied Korean sweet potato with black sesame seeds held by hand.
    Candied Korean sweet potatoes covered in caramelized sugar.
    Candied Korean sweet potatoes glazed in golden caramelized sugar.
    Candied Korean sweet potatoes covered in a candied shell and sprinkled with black sesame seeds.

    Candied Korean sweet potatoes (goguma mattang 고구마 맛탕)) are fried pieces of Korean sweet potatoes covered in a hard candy shell made of caramelized sugar!

    Korean candied sweet potatoes with golden caramel coating and black sesame seeds on a white plate

    Candied Korean sweet potatoes, called goguma mattang (고구마 맛탕), is made from deep fried pieces of Korean sweet potato that's candied with a golden brown, hard candy shell!

    The hard, caramelized candy coating gives these Korean sweet potatoes a beautiful sheen and caramel color that's makes this the perfect sweet potato dessert for fall or winter!

    hand holding Korean caramelized sweet potato showing fluffy inside with hard candy shell

    This is very similar to Japanese candied sweet potatoes, also called Daigaku Imo. The Korean version (Goguma Mattang) has a slightly thicker and hard caramelized coating that has a wonderful crunchy texture - almost like brittle.

    Caramelized sweet potatoes are a simple, delicious Thanksgiving snack or dessert that's easy to make and loved by all - children and adults!

    close up of Japanese candied sweet potatoes with caramelized coating and black sesame seeds

    Tips for Candying Korean Sweet Potatoes

    • Deep frying the Korean sweet potatoes make them tender and soft on the inside with a crispy outer layer.
    • Coating these fried sweet potato pieces with a hard candy shell adds an amazing crunchy texture made of caramelized sugar!
    • The hard candy coating keeps the sweet potatoes soft and fluffy on the inside and adds an amazing contrast in texture!
    • If you prefer the caramel candy to have a deep, darker color with a slight hint of bitterness, let the caramel cook for a bit longer but keep a close eye on it. I find a subtle hint of bitterness adds depth of flavor and prevents it from tasting too sweet.
    • Be careful not to cook the caramel too long as it can burn very quickly. Too much bitterness is an indication that it cooked for too long and burned.
    Korean candied sweet potatoes, goguma mattang, covered in golden brown caramel candy and sprinkled with black sesame seeds

    Ingredients you'll need

    labeled ingredients for Korean candied sweet potatoes in small white bowls
    • Korean sweet potatoes 고구마 - also called Japanese sweet potatoes. These have a purplish red skin and pale yellow interior. They also have less moisture than American sweet potatoes and are more similar in texture to chestnuts. They're very sweet and tender when cooked.
    • Sugar - Use plain white sugar for this recipe since we're making a hard, caramel candy.

    How to Make Candied Korean Sweet Potatoes

    numbered step by step photos for making Korean candied sweet potatoes
    1. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Any remaining moisture on the sweet potatoes will cause splatter when fried.
    2. Cut the sweet potato into bite sized wedges. I like to cut them at an angle and then rotate the sweet potato for different shapes.
    3. Deep fry the sweet potato pieces at 340 degrees F for about 6 to 8 minutes or until they are golden brown and tender. Insert a toothpick to check for doneness. If your pieces are smaller, reduce the frying time.
    golden brown fried sweet potato pieces on a paper towel
    1. Make the caramel candy - Add the oil and sugar into a shallow pan and heat over low heat. Once the sugar starts to melt, slowly swirl the pan and allow the caramel to turn a golden brown color. Once it starts to bubble up on itself and foam, add the fried sweet potato pieces.
    2. Toss the sweet potato pieces with the caramel candy until each piece is coated.
    3. Lay them separately on parchment paper. Quickly sprinkle on black sesame seeds before the candy hardens. Serve when the candy coating hardens.
    Korean caramelized sweet potatoes garnished with black sesame seeds

    Frequently Asked Questions

    close up of Japanese candied sweet potato, Daigaku Imo
    What are Korean sweet potatos?

    Korean sweet potatoes (goguma 고구마), also called Japanese sweet potatoes or Asian sweet potatoes, have a red purplish skin with a pale, yellow interior. They're very sweet and have a soft, fluffy texture when cooked and will turn a golden yellow color inside.

    They're different from American sweet potatoes because they have less moisture and a texture more similar to roasted chestnuts.

    Where can I buy Korean or Japanese sweet potatoes?

    You can buy them in any Asian grocery store, including Korean, Japanese, and Chinese markets.

    Can you eat the skin of the sweet potato?

    Yes the skin is safe to eat! Make sure to scrub the skin well and wash under running water. The skin contains fiber and and nutrients so keep the peel on if you prefer to.

    How do I store leftovers?

    These are best when consumed right away. The hard candy shell will start to soften if left out for too long.

    You can refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container but the hard caramel coating will turn into a sweet syrup, which is still delicious but different from the crunchy candy coating it had when first made.

    Want more? Try these other recipes:

    • Japanese Strawberry Shortcake
    • Delicious Mini Pumpkin Layer Cakes - Soft and Fluffy!
    • Bakery Swiss Roll Cake Recipe
    • Vegan Coconut Mochi Bites
    • Homemade Korean Strawberry Milk
    • Chewy Hawaiian Butter Mochi Recipe
    close up of Korean candied sweet potatoes with golden brown caramel coating and black sesame seeds

    Korean Candied Sweet Potatoes (Goguma Mattang)

    Korean candied sweet potatoes (goguma mattang) are fried pieces of sweet potatoes covered in a hard candy shell made of caramelized sugar! A delicious, sweet treat for the fall or winter!
    5 from 70 votes
    Pin Share Print
    Prep Time 7 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 22 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine Asian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean
    Servings 6 people

    ☑ Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb Korean sweet potatoes - - about two medium sweet potatoes
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 3 Tablespoons cooking oil - - plus extra for deep frying
    • 1 Tablespoon toasted black sesame seeds
    • pinch of salt
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    Instructions
     

    • Wash and dry your sweet potatoes. Cut them into medium-small size pieces about 2 inches in length.
      sweet potato cut into small wedges on a cutting board
    • Add enough oil to a deep pot to fry the sweet potato wedges. Heat the pot over medium high heat until it reaches 340 degrees F.
      Add the sweet potato pieces and fry for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Work in batches if needed. Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the sweet potatoes. Remove and let them drain on a paper towel.
      sweet potatoes being deep fried in oil inside a metal pot
    • In a nonstick shallow pan, add 3 Tablespoons of oil into the pan, then pour the sugar directly over the oil. Heat the pan over low heat and avoid stirring or shaking the pan for now. (See Note 2)
      oil and white sugar in a shallow frying pan
    • The sugar will start to melt and turn into a light syrup. Once the sugar is halfway melted, carefully and slowly swirl the pan so that the syrup doesn't burn.
      It will start to turn a golden caramel color and bubble up on itself. (Note: Be careful not to burn the caramel and watch it carefully as it can happen quickly. Burnt caramel will taste very bitter. )
      sugar caramelizing and bubbling in a shallow pan with oil
    • As soon as the caramel starts to bubble and foam, add in the fried sweet potato pieces and a pinch of salt. Quickly toss them together so each piece is coated in a layer of hard candy. Discard any leftover oil.
      sweet potato pieces tossed in candied sugar with tongs in a frying pan
    • Lay the candied sweet potato pieces on a layer of parchment paper, making sure they don't touch. Quickly garnish with black sesame seeds before the caramel candy hardens. Serve once cooled. (See Notes 3 and 4)
      goguma mattang covered in hard caramel and black sesame seeds laying separated on a white surface

    ✎ Recipe Notes

    1. Leftovers - these are best when consumed shortly after. You can store leftovers in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. However, the hard candy shell will softened and turn into a sweet syrup (which is still delicious).
    2. I recommend using a nonstick pan for easier cleaning of the caramel.
    3. I strongly recommend laying the candied sweet potatoes on parchment paper. Otherwise, they are very sticky and may be hard to remove from your plates once it hardens.
    4. Be careful handling the candied sweet potatoes. The outer shell will still be very hot.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 10725IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 23mg | 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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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kate

      December 11, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      First of all a compliment for your pictures. They look so good. I want to take a bite right away. I really love the idea of glazing those sweet potatoes in this way. I am looking forward to trying this recipe. Thanks for sharing it.

      Reply
    2. Toni

      December 01, 2020 at 10:31 am

      5 stars
      These are incredible and really easy to make! Great instructions and beautiful photos (they really help).

      Reply
      • Jamie

        December 08, 2020 at 3:36 pm

        Thanks Toni! So glad you enjoyed this recipe!

        Reply
    3. Ipsa

      November 22, 2020 at 9:40 am

      5 stars
      Wooww.. I love these candied sweet potatoes. They look so tempting. I'm making this soon.

      Reply
    4. Liz

      November 22, 2020 at 7:58 am

      5 stars
      Wow, these look amazing! I love sweet potatoes. I'll definitely have to try these soon!

      Reply
    5. Erika

      November 22, 2020 at 7:07 am

      5 stars
      These candied sweet potatoes look delicious! What a great addition to our Thanksgiving menu this week.

      Reply
    6. Suzy

      November 22, 2020 at 6:54 am

      5 stars
      I LOVE how easy this is to make! Definitely making this on repeat! So tasty!

      Reply
    7. Angela

      November 22, 2020 at 6:42 am

      5 stars
      Wow! These looks so tasty. Love the sweetness with the sweet potato. YUM!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        November 23, 2020 at 8:44 pm

        Thanks Angela! It's such a great sweet potato dessert that also works as a snack!

        Reply

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