Goguma Mattang (고구마 맛탕) Korean Candied sweet potatoes

Goguma mattang (고구마 맛탕), which is Candied Korean sweet potatoes, is made from deep-fried pieces of sweet potato that's candied with a golden brown, hard candy shell on the outside but fluffy soft on the inside! The hard, caramelized candy coating gives these Korean sweet potatoes a beautiful sheen and caramel color that makes this the perfect sweet potato dessert any time! Be careful not to cook the caramel too long as it can burn very quickly. If they taste too bitter, then it cooked for too long and burned.

 

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you'll need:

For the Candied Sweet Potatoes:

• 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
• 1 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 cup of sugar
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder (optional, for a warm flavor)

For Garnish (optional):

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

1. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes.
2. Cut them into bite-sized chunks or thin strips, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

1. In a deep pan or pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. To check if the oil is hot enough, drop a small piece of sweet potato into the oil. If it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready.

Step 3: Fry the Sweet Potatoes

1. Carefully add the prepared sweet potatoes to the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to fry them in batches.
2. Fry the sweet potatoes until they turn golden brown and crispy. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
3. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried sweet potatoes from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Prepare the Caramel Sauce

1. In a separate pan, add the sugar and a pinch of salt.
2. Heat the sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it melts and turns into a golden caramel sauce. Be careful not to burn it.
3. Once the caramel is ready, remove it from heat immediately.

Step 5: Coat the Sweet Potatoes

1. Carefully add the fried sweet potatoes to the caramel sauce.
2. Quickly toss and coat the sweet potatoes evenly with the caramel sauce, ensuring each piece is coated deliciously.

Step 6: Optional Seasoning

1. For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle cinnamon powder over the caramel-coated sweet potatoes. Toss them gently to incorporate the cinnamon.

Goguma Mattang is a standalone treat, but you can pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience.

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 10 Minutes

Cook time: 10 Minutes

Total time: 20 Minutes

Yield: 1 Serving

Ingredients

• 3 1 kg sweet potatoes
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Cooking Oil
• Vegetable oil for deep frying
• 3 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds

Cooking Directions

1. Wash the sweet potato, peel the skin and cut it into small chunks. Soak them in cold water for 30 minutes to reduce the starch
2. Drain away the water and thoroughly wipe off the water from the sweet potatoes with kitchen paper.
3. Pour the deep frying oil into a large pot and heat it up Add the sweet potatoes and fry until cooked through (about 5 to 8 minutes).
4. Take out the fried sweet potatoes and place them onto some kitchen paper to soak away the excess oil.
5. Add the cooking oil to a well well-heated add the sugar. Melt it over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves, and reduce the heat to low
6. Add the sweet potatoes into the pan and mix well with the sauce (for 1 to 2 minutes).
7. Lay them separately on parchment paper. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving

Goguma Mattang – FAQs

1. What is Goguma Mattang?

Goguma Mattang is a popular Korean snack made of sweet potatoes that are deep-fried until crispy and then coated with a sweet, sticky caramelized sugar glaze.

2. How do you make the glaze?

The glaze is typically made by melting sugar (sometimes with a bit of corn syrup or honey) until caramelized, then tossing the fried sweet potato pieces in it quickly before it hardens.

3. What kind of sweet potatoes are best?

Medium to large sweet potatoes with a firm texture and natural sweetness work best for this recipe.

4. Is Goguma Mattang served hot or cold?

It’s best enjoyed warm or at room temperature when the caramel coating is crisp and shiny.

5. Can I bake instead of deep-fry?

Yes, for a healthier version you can bake sweet potato chunks, but they won’t be as crispy as the deep-fried original.

Nutrition Card – Approx. per 100g serving

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)	Notes
Calories	220 kcal	—	Moderate calorie from sweet potatoes and sugar
Protein	1.5 g	3%	Low protein
Carbohydrates	45 g	15%	High in carbs, mainly sugars and starch
Sugars	30 g	—	High due to caramelized sugar
Fat	4 g	6%	From frying oil
Fiber	3 g	12%	Good fiber from sweet potatoes

Dietary Compatibility & Notes

Diet Type	Compatible?	Suggestions
Vegan	✅ Yes	Uses plant-based ingredients
Vegetarian	✅ Yes	No animal products used
Gluten-Free	✅ Yes	Naturally gluten-free
Dairy-Free	✅ Yes	No dairy
Keto/Low-Carb	❌ No	High sugar and carbs

Serving Tip:

Serve Goguma Mattang fresh and crispy as a sweet snack or dessert. Pair it with a cup of tea for a perfect treat.

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.

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