Description
Hobak Beombeok is a comforting Korean porridge made with Korean squash, sweet potatoes, and tender beans. This wholesome dish combines the natural sweetness of the vegetables with the creaminess of the beans, gently simmered to create a smooth, nourishing porridge perfect for any time of day. It can be lightly sweetened and garnished with toasted nuts and sesame oil for an added layer of flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium Korean squash (hobak), peeled and diced
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 cup red beans or mung beans, rinsed and soaked for 3–8 hours
- 4–5 cups water or vegetable broth
- A pinch of salt
Optional Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sweet rice flour (to thicken, if desired)
- 1–2 teaspoons honey or brown sugar (for extra sweetness, optional)
- Chopped toasted nuts (for garnish)
- Black sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Roasted sesame oil drizzle (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Peel and dice the Korean squash and sweet potatoes into small, even pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Rinse the beans thoroughly and soak them in water for several hours or overnight to soften and reduce cooking time.
- Cook the Beans: Drain the soaked beans and place them in a pot with fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 30 to 40 minutes, until the beans are tender but still hold their shape.
- Add the Squash and Sweet Potatoes: Add the diced Korean squash and sweet potatoes to the pot with the cooked beans. Continue to simmer gently until the vegetables are soft and beginning to break down, releasing their natural sweetness into the porridge.
- Blend or Mash: For a creamy porridge, mash the mixture gently with a wooden spoon or partially blend it, leaving some chunks for texture. If desired, stir in additional water or broth to achieve your preferred consistency. Optionally, add the sweet rice flour at this point to thicken the porridge.
- Season and Sweeten: Add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. If you like a sweeter porridge, stir in honey or brown sugar, although it is often naturally sweet enough from the vegetables.
- Simmer and Serve: Let the porridge gently simmer on low heat for a few more minutes to blend the flavors together. Serve warm, garnished with chopped toasted nuts, black sesame seeds, and a drizzle of roasted sesame oil for added aroma and texture.
Notes
- Soaking the beans overnight helps reduce cooking time and makes them more digestible.
- Adjust the thickness of the porridge by adding more or less liquid and using sweet rice flour as a natural thickener.
- This porridge is naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan by ensuring any optional sweetener used is plant-based.
- For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender, but leaving some texture adds to the authentic comfort of the dish.
- Garnishes are optional but add a nice crunch and flavor contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Porridge
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
