Kwajul is one of the traditional dishes favoured by the Korean people.
It is well known for its savoury taste from a harmonious mix of different flavours and for its high nutritional value.
Originally kwajul was the name of traditional cakes as a whole such as yakkwa (a kind of cake made of wheat flour, honey and oil), kangjong (fried glutinous rice cake) and tasik (patterned savoury cake).
Over the time, it came to denote the cake which is made with glutinous rice powder by kneading and fermenting it into thinly rolled dough, with its slices dried, fried and coated with honey, corn syrup and flours of different kinds.
Old records tell kwajul was an indispensable food for weddings, memorial services and New Year’s feasts in the period of the Koryo dynasty (918-1392), which means it was widely spread at that time.
According to the kind of coating material, it was divided into jat (pine nut) kwajul , kkae (sesame) kwajul and paengmi (polished rice) kwajul .
In most cases kwajul was prepared on folk holidays such as the lunar New Year’s Day, birthdays and wedding ceremonies and in honour of a guest.
The cake was made largely in Phyongan, Hamgyong and Kangwon provinces.
In the area of Phyongan province it was made by rolling steamed glutinous rice flour while adding a small amount of liquid of ground soybean, cutting it into 2 to 4-centimetre-long slices. Then the slices were dried, fried and coated with fried white rice.
That of the Hamgyong provincial area was characteristically coated with fried grains of rice which are dyed red or not done so. The local people used the cakes to set a table for wedding or memorial service. What is noteworthy is that both red and white kwajul was used for the table of a wedding but only white one for the table of a memorial service.
Kwajul was so ubiquitous on the table of a wedding in northern part of Hamgyong province that visitors from other areas called the wedding a “ kwajul party.” The local people considered kwajul was indispensable for the table of a wedding.
Jat (pine nut) kwajul was popular in Kangwon province.
Pine nut, a speciality of the province, was widely used by locals to make confectionery.
Jat kwajul was especially popular in the Mt Kumgang area.
The kwajul -making method was put on the national intangible cultural heritage list in May 2016.
Sim Chol Yong
More From Naenara (En)
A well-regulated nationwide system is in place in the DPRK for producing and supplying school uniforms and assessing their
December 31, 2025
A well-regulated nationwide system is in place in the DPRK for producing and supplying school uniforms and assessing their
The artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea performed at the Academy of
December 31, 2025
The artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea performed at the Academy of
Top ten IT model units of 2025 have been selected. Those selected are the Chollima Tile Factory, Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory,
December 31, 2025
Top ten IT model units of 2025 have been selected. Those selected are the Chollima Tile Factory, Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory,
A meeting of workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea took place at the Central Hall of Workers on
December 31, 2025
A meeting of workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea took place at the Central Hall of Workers on
The recent 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea reviewed the implementation of
December 31, 2025
The recent 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea reviewed the implementation of
The Academy of Pedagogical Science is conducting extensive research to give students advanced education as the second programme
December 31, 2025
The Academy of Pedagogical Science is conducting extensive research to give students advanced education as the second programme
Jonjin Senior Middle School newly built in Pyongyang’s Rangnang District is an all-in-one educational institution in which
December 31, 2025
Jonjin Senior Middle School newly built in Pyongyang’s Rangnang District is an all-in-one educational institution in which
Villages of the Konggwi Vegetable Farm in Kanggye City, and the Kaewon Farm in Wiwon County, Jagang Province of the DPRK,
December 31, 2025
Villages of the Konggwi Vegetable Farm in Kanggye City, and the Kaewon Farm in Wiwon County, Jagang Province of the DPRK,
Considerable achievements have been made in the work for land and environment protection this year. The Eleventh Plenary Meeting
December 30, 2025
Considerable achievements have been made in the work for land and environment protection this year. The Eleventh Plenary Meeting
According to the decisions made at the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, projects for readjustment and
December 30, 2025
According to the decisions made at the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, projects for readjustment and
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un shows boundless affection to the service personnel regarding them as his own beloved sons and
December 30, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un shows boundless affection to the service personnel regarding them as his own beloved sons and
Modern houses have been built in Amdu-ri of Jongju City, Pongnin-ri of Pakchon County and Pugil-ri of Unjon County in North
December 30, 2025
Modern houses have been built in Amdu-ri of Jongju City, Pongnin-ri of Pakchon County and Pugil-ri of Unjon County in North
Creators of the Art and Literature Publishing House and the Central Fine Arts Studio and teachers and students of Pyongyang
December 30, 2025
Creators of the Art and Literature Publishing House and the Central Fine Arts Studio and teachers and students of Pyongyang
A project for promoting environmentally sound management of plastic waste is underway in the DPRK. The project aims to build up
December 30, 2025
A project for promoting environmentally sound management of plastic waste is underway in the DPRK. The project aims to build up
In the DPRK precedence is given to labour protection over production, and everyone is leading a working life in a safe and
December 29, 2025
In the DPRK precedence is given to labour protection over production, and everyone is leading a working life in a safe and
New houses have appeared at the Samwon Industrial Crop Farm and the Hyangphung Farm in Songchon County and the Yakjon Farm in
December 29, 2025
New houses have appeared at the Samwon Industrial Crop Farm and the Hyangphung Farm in Songchon County and the Yakjon Farm in
In summer last year flash flood wreaked havoc on some parts of North Phyongan, Jagang and Ryanggang provinces in the DPRK.The gove
December 29, 2025
In summer last year flash flood wreaked havoc on some parts of North Phyongan, Jagang and Ryanggang provinces in the DPRK.The gove
DPRK players returned home on December 27 after taking part in the Qatar International Weightlifting Cup 2025. They bagged 18 gold
December 29, 2025
DPRK players returned home on December 27 after taking part in the Qatar International Weightlifting Cup 2025. They bagged 18 gold
A men’s ice hockey match was held at the Ice Rink on December 27 to celebrate Constitution Day of the Democratic People’s Republic
December 29, 2025
A men’s ice hockey match was held at the Ice Rink on December 27 to celebrate Constitution Day of the Democratic People’s Republic
The following happened one day in June 1951 when the DPRK was fighting a fierce war against the US invaders. The great leader
December 29, 2025
The following happened one day in June 1951 when the DPRK was fighting a fierce war against the US invaders. The great leader
More Articles
