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Heukimja-juk
Heugimja-juk (흑임자죽): silky black sesame rice porridge
This charcoal-grey porridge of roasted black sesame and rice is one of Korea's gentlest breakfasts, often made for elders, for people getting over a cold, or simply on a slow weekend morning. It is nutty, lightly sweet and smooth as cream. The mistake is burning the sesame: the seeds are already black, so you cannot judge by colour; toast them only until they crackle and smell nutty, or the porridge turns bitter. Chef's tip: grind the toasted seeds with a little of the soaked rice and water rather than on their own, which turns them into a smooth paste instead of an oily clump.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
- 3 ⅛ oz short-grain ricesoaked for 1 hour
- 2 ⅛ oz black sesame seeds
- 3 ¾ cups water
- 1 tbsp pine nuts (optional)
- 1 tbsp sugaror to taste
- ¼ tsp salt
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Spices & pantry
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Toast 2 ⅛ oz black sesame seeds in a dry frying pan over a medium-low heat for 3–4 minutes, shaking the pan, until the seeds start to pop and smell nutty. Tip onto a plate to cool.
4 minStep 2: Drain 3 ⅛ oz short-grain rice and blend it with the sesame, the 1 tbsp pine nuts if using, and 400 ml of 3 ¾ cups water for 2 minutes until very smooth.
Step 3: Pour into a saucepan with the remaining water and bring to a simmer over a medium heat, stirring all the time.
5 minStep 4: Lower the heat and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring often, until the porridge is thick and glossy and the raw-rice taste has gone. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick.
20 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 290 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 36 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
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Good to know
- How long does heukimja-juk take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of short-grain rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of black sesame seeds?
- Poppy seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds, same amount.
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