Ice cream may rule the day in the summer, but how does a person scratch that itch in the winter? In Korea, sweet potato (고구마) is the perfect, creamy, cold season snack. Each variety has a different flavor, but our favorite is “honey sweet potato” (꿀고구마). You only have to crack open a freshly roasted sweet potato (군고구마) to see why.
In the past, it was common to see makeshift or custom made mobile sweet potato ovens on the streets during Fall and Winter. The ones we have seen were wood burning, and made of a steel drum laid on its side. Halved cylinders would be set to slide in and out of one end of the drum. These cylinders would hold the sweet potatoes, kind of like a torpedo tube. On the other side of the drum would be an opening for wood, and of course, a chimney stack up on top. It’s a little hard to explain, but it was a sight for cold eyes in the winter, that’s for sure! We actually hunted around for one to get a picture, but couldn’t find one (but will update this post if we do!).
What we see more often today is a lower maintenance electric model, that roasts the potatoes more consistently, and has a section up top for displaying and keeping them warm. Sometimes there are also regular potatoes, chestnuts, or even eggs.
These sweet potatoes are eaten by hand, fresh and hot out of the oven. They can be pulled in half, peeled and held on one end, or a combo of both. No matter how you choose to eat them, the first thing you’ll notice is how creamy and sweet they are. The longer they’re roasted, the more honey-like they become. They have a texture that is dense and creamy, moist, and surprisingly rich. The honey flavor is noticeable, and the color is a translucent gold. It’s very distinct compared to the typically orange sweet potato varieties.
Overall, roasted sweet potatoes are a treat we highly recommend trying, either on the streets of Korea or wherever you are! They are an incredibly sweet snack, with the benefit of being rich in vitamins and minerals. 군고구마 really hits the spot on cold days and we like it more with each passing year.