Dalgaun

Dalgaun is a Korean candy made with melted sugar and baking soda. It is a popular street food in South Korea, often associated with childhood nostalgia.

Production: Dalgaun is prepared by melting sugar (typically white granulated sugar) over low heat. Once the sugar is completely melted and forms a syrupy consistency, a small amount of baking soda is added. The baking soda causes a chemical reaction, releasing carbon dioxide gas which creates a light and porous texture. The mixture is then poured onto a flat surface, usually oiled or coated with sugar to prevent sticking, and flattened with a press. A shape (such as a star, circle, or umbrella) is often imprinted onto the surface using a cookie cutter.

Consumption: Consumers, typically children, attempt to extract the imprinted shape intact from the candy without breaking it. Successfully removing the shape is often rewarded, either with another dalgaun or a small prize. The difficulty lies in the brittle nature of the candy, which is prone to cracking along the imprinted lines.

Cultural Significance: Dalgaun gained significant international attention after being featured in the South Korean television series "Squid Game" (2021). In the series, contestants are challenged to extract shapes from dalgaun, and failure results in elimination. This depiction led to a surge in popularity and interest in dalgaun around the world. Beyond its recent fame, dalgaun has long been a staple of Korean street food culture.