SWEET, CRUNCHY, colorful, and fruity. Sugary on the outside, juicy on the inside. What am I? If your first guess was Tanghulu, you may happen to be part of most Koreans who snack on this guilty pleasure. Tanghulu, a popular sugar-coated Chinese dessert, has captivated the taste buds of Koreans across generations, from millennials to Generation Z. Reflecting its immeasurable popularity, the amount of times Tanghulu was searched for in Bae-dal Min-jok[1] increased 47.3 times in July 2023 compared to January and ranked third place overall.

History of Tanghulu 

   Two myths surrounding the origin of Tanghulu have passed down from generation to generation. The first myth illustrates Tanghulu in an unbelievable view - a medicine. Delving into the Chinese folktale during the Southern Song Dynasty in China, despite the immense medical efforts dedicated to Queen Hwang, her weak immune system showed no signs of improving. Then one doctor, renowned for his expertise in curing digestion problems, came up with the idea of making the queen eat five to ten sugar-boiled hawthorn berries before each meal. This attempt was a resounding success. After curing the queen’s seemingly helpless symptom, the sugary hawthorn berries gained a reputation among the citizens of China and sustained its popularity till today[2]. The second myth elaborates its origin from the customs of the Khitan people, who sugar-coated fruits and froze them, aiming to keep the fruits fresh and juicy[2]. Furthermore, the “Dasu Liuzhuang Tanghulu Village’s” 100-year old history of making Tanghulu spotlights the prolonged history of Tanghulu in China[2].

The ongoing popularity of Tanghulu in South Korea

   Since when did Tanghulu start to gain popularity in South Korea? According to the survey conducted by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, Tanghulu ranked in first place for the ‘frozen and convenience foods’ sector most sought-after by teenagers[2]. This reign was held for approximately 5 months — from Jan. 1 to June 27, 2023[2]. Mirroring local trends while still preserving their original flavor, franchise stores selling Tanghulu slowly started making their appearances in the streets of South Korea. While the first Tanghulu store that opened in 2017 was Wanga-Tanghulu in Ulsan, there are now over 420 Wanga-Tanghulu branches nationwide[3]. 

   Furthermore, Tanghulu has been extensively featured in Korean popular culture. Tanghulu ASMR and Mukbang clips on SNS, including YouTube and TikTok, have been mega hits that have been circulated en masse as reels and shorts, leading to even greater popularity. Tanghulu has also managed to expand cross-cultural borders through the creation of unique desserts. Desserts such as Tanghulu Bingsu and Tanghulu Omakase are a few that have enthralled Koreans’ souls.  

Concerns of Tanghulu

   However, as the saying goes, there are always two sides to every coin — and Tanghulu is no exception. There are two primary concerns to consider- health problems and societal disputes. 

   A single skewer of Tanghulu contains 10 to 25 grams of sugar, which is almost half of the recommended amount of daily sugar intake. Snacking on a lot of Tanghulu every day could lead to diabetes and obesity, which may bring on further medical complications. Furthermore, research conducted by the National Health Insurance Service in 2023 announced that the number of cavity patients among those under 19 increased by 30 percent compared to 5 years ago – which just goes to prove that Tanghulu is the main cause of tooth decay and other dental diseases[4].

   While Tanghulu has turned out to be a highly popular merchandised item in South Korea, some critics view it as divisive figure leading social disputes. Last October, there was a dispute over whether an old employee had cheated on the Tanghulu recipe and started a new business. However, as there is no distinguishable special recipe for Tanghulu, the criterion for copying the recipe remains ambiguous.

   Originated by a medicine that was used to cure a queen’s helpless disease, Tanghulu has become a beloved snack across generations these days. Despite the deniable pleasure of crunching on Tanghulu, it is apparent that avoiding excessive consumption is necessary, to maintain your health and fulfill your life with prolonged joy. 

[1] Bae-dal Min-jok: A popular food delivery service in South Korea

[2] The Kookje Daily News

[3] Chinacorea

[4] News1