Hobakjuk – creamy sweet pumpkin rice porridge Recipe
Hobakjuk is a thick, creamy porridge made with pumpkin and rice, served warm as a dessert or light breakfast. In Korea it’s often eaten in autumn and winter, when sweet pumpkin appears and evenings turn chilly. The taste is reminiscent of a mix between pumpkin soup and rice pudding, but in a lighter, less milky version.
Hobakjuk combines the natural sweetness of pumpkin with the comforting texture of rice porridge, creating a dish that is both nourishing and dessert-like. It’s a classic of Korean home cooking for colder months, gently warming and easy to digest, perfect for days when you crave something cozy but not too heavy.
Chef's tips
Use a naturally sweet, flavorful pumpkin – the better the pumpkin, the less sugar you’ll need. If you like an ultra-smooth texture, blend both the pumpkin and the cooked rice together. Stir often while cooking so the porridge doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pot, especially once it starts to thicken.
How to serve
Serve in small bowls, topped with toasted pumpkin seeds, sliced dates or other dried fruit. You can also add a spoonful of yogurt or a drizzle of cream on top for extra richness. For a more breakfast-style version, sprinkle with nuts and a bit of granola.
Ingredients
- pumpkin - 600 g
- rice - 80 g
- water - 900 ml
- milk - 200 ml
- sugar - 3 tablespoon
- salt - 0.25 teaspoon
- rice flour - 2 tablespoon
- pumpkin seeds - 2 tablespoon
- dates - 4 pieces
Preparation
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water is almost clear, then drain.
- Peel the pumpkin (if you use Hokkaido, you can leave the skin on), remove the seeds and cut into 2–3 cm cubes.
- In a pot bring 600 ml of water to a boil. Add the pumpkin and cook over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, until the pieces are very soft and easily fall apart when pressed with a spoon.
- Blend the cooked pumpkin together with the cooking water into a smooth purée. If you don’t have a blender, mash the pumpkin thoroughly with a potato masher.
- In a separate small pot bring the remaining 300 ml of water to a boil. Add the rice and cook over low heat for 12–15 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the rice is soft and the water is partially absorbed.
- Add the cooked rice along with the remaining cooking water to the pot with the pumpkin purée. Pour in the milk, add the sugar and salt, and mix well.
- In a small bowl mix the rice flour with a few tablespoons of cold water to make a smooth slurry without lumps.
- Place the pot with the pumpkin and rice over medium heat. When it starts to bubble gently, pour in the rice flour slurry, stirring constantly.
- Cook for another 5–7 minutes over low heat, stirring every now and then, until the porridge thickens to the consistency of a thick cream. If it’s too thick, add a little water or milk.
- Taste and, if needed, add more sugar or a pinch of salt to highlight the sweetness of the pumpkin.
- Cut the dates into thin strips. Lightly toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry pan until they become fragrant and lightly golden.
- Pour the hot hobakjuk into bowls, sprinkle with the date strips and toasted pumpkin seeds. Serve warm.
Storage
Owsiankę przechowuj w lodówce w szczelnym pojemniku. Przy podgrzewaniu dodaj odrobinę wody lub mleka, bo gęstnieje w czasie stania. Możesz ją też zamrozić w porcjach i rozmrażać na noc w lodówce.
