Squid Game Dalgona Recipe: Learn to Make Dalgona Without Fail + Global Challenge

Bottom line: Here's how to make the perfect dalgona at home and a guide to conquering the global challenge phenomenon that made Netflix's The Squid Game a worldwide sensation.

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Recreate the dishes that have captivated the world at home!

Part 1 Itaewon Class 'Jjampongtang' - The first step to a global hit drama recipe

Part 2 'Kimchi Jjim', a Love Crash Landing - Reimagining Korean recipes in North Korean style

Part 3 Hotel Del Luna 'Han Sang Chae Rim' - A blend of tradition and fusion

Part 4 Squid game 'Dalgona' - the dessert that took the world by storm ←now

Part 5 The youngest son of a chaebol's 'beef and wakame seaweed soup' - an emotionally charged recipe

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A traditional Korean dalgona recipe from the 1970s, showing dalgona being made on the street. — Everything you need to know about making dalgona from the squid game that got the world's attention

1. Dalgona Syndrome by Squidgame

Since Netflix's "The Squid Game" premiered in September 2021, dalgona has become more than just a traditional Korean snack, but a global cultural phenomenon. The show's dalgona pulling game has captivated audiences around the world with tense scenes where contestants must pull out the correct shape in 10 minutes to survive.

Global Dalgona fever numbers:

1) Dalgona store in Seoul: sales spike from 200 to over 500 per day

2) International Online Stores: Dalgona Making Kit Out of Stock

3) YouTube & TikTok: #DalgonaChallenge hashtag racked up millions of views

2. the history and cultural significance of dalgona

Dalgona is a classic street snack that has been a favorite of South Korean children since the mid-to-late 1950s. Made over a briquette fire in front of a stationery store, these simple sugar treats were popular because they were cheaper and sweeter than store-bought sweets at the time.

Dalgona names by region:

1) Seoul-Gyeonggi: Dalgona, draw

2) Mildness: cursive, bold

3) Jeolla: poop snack

3. The Perfect Dalgona Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

You can make cafe- or restaurant-quality dalgona at home. The key is the correct ratio of ingredients and temperature control.

🥄 Required ingredients (per serving):

1) White sugar: 3 Tablespoons (about 45 g)

2) baking soda (table soda): 1 pinch (about 0.5 grams)

3) Tools: Ladle, wooden chopsticks, foil, shape molds

📝 The creation process:

Step 1: Add 3 tablespoons of sugar to a ladle and slowly melt over low heat (about 2-3 minutes)

Step two: Once the sugar is a clear liquid, add 1 pinch of baking soda

Step three: Stir quickly with wooden chopsticks to brown and puff up

Step four: Immediately pour onto foil, press flat, and stamp with a mold

Step five: Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes and carefully unmold the shapes

💡 Pro Tip: If the sugar gets too dark brown, it will taste bitter, so the key is to add the baking soda when it's a light golden color!

4. Key tips for making dalgona without fail

Let's take a look at the most common reasons for failure and solutions for making dalgona. Temperature control and timing are the keys to success.

🔥 Temperature control tricks:

1) Maintain low heat: Medium or higher heat will burn sugar

2) Ladle Lift and Release: Essential Movements for Even Heating

3) Check the color: light golden is optimal timing

A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Squid Game Dalgona Recipe - From Sugar to Done — Key steps to making dalgona

⚠️ Common mistakes:

1) Overuse of baking soda → bitterness and excessive puffiness

2) Hasty plucking attempts → risk of burns while hot

3) Excessive force → main cause of dalgona breakage

5. Difficulty of each shape and strategies for successful draws

The four shapes presented in the squid game have the following difficulty levels: triangle (★☆☆) → circle (★★☆) → star (★★★) → umbrella (★★★★).

🎯 Success strategies by shape:

Triangle: Easiest with straight lines. Recommended for beginners

Circle: Requires curve handling. Medium difficulty

Stars: Five pointy things. Requires delicacy

Umbrella: Highest difficulty due to long handles

🛠️ Plucking tools and techniques:

1) Needle or toothpick: For precision work

2) How to heat up a lighter: gently heat the needle to melt it down

3) Licking the back: How to slowly dissolve with saliva

6. the global Dalgona Challenge phenomenon

The Dalgona Challenge exploded on YouTube and TikTok after The Squid Game aired, and even spawned a Netflix reality show, "The Squid Game: The Challenge," in 2023.

A global dalgona making challenge with a squid game dalgona recipe — The Dalgona Challenge craze goes global

📊 K-food exports (as of 2024):

In 2024, K-Food Plus exports reached a record high of over $13 billion, with K-Street Foods, including Dalgona, playing a key role.

7. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I use other ingredients instead of baking soda?
A1. Baking soda is the key ingredient that creates the characteristic crispness and puffiness of dalgona. Substitutions are unlikely to be as effective.

Q2. Can I make this with brown sugar?
A2. You can, but white sugar produces a cleaner taste and prettier color. Yellow sugar will turn a dark brown color, which is less visually appealing.

Q3. How do I keep my dalgona for a long time?
A3. Store in an airtight container to keep moisture out for 1-2 weeks. They will stay crisp longer at room temperature than in the refrigerator.

Q4. Can I recycle it if it fails to pull?
A4. Broken dalgona can be re-melted and made anew, but the flavor and texture will be reduced, so we recommend eating it as is.

8. related reading

1) Why do Koreans eat everything at once? 7 Philosophies Behind the Banchan Culture

2) Why Korean Convenience Store Ice Cup Combinations Are Addicting Foreigners

3) Nori exports set another record: $9.97 billion in 2024, driven by K-food superfood craze

4) Buldak fried noodle craze: Why Korea's ramen exports surpassed $100 million per month?

9. Summary of references

This article is based on information from trusted government agencies, authoritative outlets, and verified online platforms. From the historical background of Dalarna to the latest global trends, we provide accurate information.

📚 Authoritative sources and verified links:

1) Korea Culture Foundation - Korean Food Culture Box Dalgona Recipe
Official dalgona recipe and cultural context from a government-recognized cultural foundation

2) Korea Culture Exchange Agency, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism - Korea Net Dalgona Challenge Article
Analyzing the production process and global reaction to Dalgona through first-hand accounts from foreign journalists

3) Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Policy Briefing - K-Food Export Performance in 2024
Latest statistics from the government, including K-Food Plus exports surpassing $13 billion

4) Wikipedia - Dalgona History and Cultural Background
The origins of dalgona, regional names, global popularity since the Squid Game, and more.