Jeonggwa (Korean Candied Lotus Root)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Medium

Jeonggwa here is the classic candied lotus root (yeongeun-jeonggwa): crisp-tender slices simmered until translucent and glazed. The syrup is mildly sweet with a clean honey finish. Makes 30 slices in about 1 hr 50 min.

Prep 20 min

Cook 60 min

Cooling 30 min

Total 1 hr 50 min

Yield 30 slices

Diet Dairy free, Gluten free

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

14 oz (400 g)lotus root, peeled, cut into 5 mm (1/4 in) rounds
1 tbsp (15 ml)rice vinegar, for the blanching water
4 ¼ cups (1000 ml)water, for blanching, for the lotus root
1 ⅔ cups (400 ml)water, for the syrup
⅔ cup (120 g)sugar
½ cup (120 ml)rice syrup or corn syrup
2 tbsp (30 ml)honey
1 tsp (3 g)toasted sesame seeds

Fresh ingredient guides

Sesame seedsHow to pick, season & nutrition · 172 kcal per 30 g

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Instructions

Bring 1000 ml water and the vinegar to a boil. Add the lotus slices and blanch for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse.
Combine the 400 ml water, sugar and rice syrup in a wide, shallow pot over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Add the lotus slices in a single layer and bring to a gentle simmer.
Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 35 to 45 minutes, without stirring much, until the slices are translucent and the syrup has reduced to a thin glaze.
Stir in the honey off the heat and let the slices cool in the syrup for 10 minutes.
Lift the slices to a wire rack and let them dry for 30 minutes; they will be tacky and glossy.
Dust with sesame and serve at room temperature.

Tips

A wide pot lets the syrup reduce evenly and keeps slices from stacking.
Add the honey at the end; long simmering dulls its aroma.
Pick pale, firm lotus roots with no soft spots.
Good with green tea or citron tea.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make jeonggwa (korean candied lotus root)?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 1 hour of cooking, plus 30 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 30 slices.

How should I store jeonggwa (korean candied lotus root)?

Layer between parchment in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

Can I make jeonggwa (korean candied lotus root) ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Jeonggwa is a Korean confection of roots, stems or fruit slowly simmered in honey or grain syrup until glossy. Serve it with green tea or citron tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 30 servings this recipe makes.

77 Calories / serving

0.1g Fat

18.0g Carbs

1.7g Protein

5.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (30 servings): ~2310 cal · 3g fat · 540g carbs · 51g protein · 162g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.