When people think of “hangwa” (traditional Korean sweets), many recall Gangneung. In times when sweets were rare, our ancestors devoted extraordinary care to making even a single piece, spending days and nights boiling malt syrup, carefully selecting high-quality glutinous rice and fragrant sesame seeds, and crafting hangwa with utmost dedication.

Gangjeong, known for its crispy texture, is made by fermenting and drying glutinous rice flour, mixing it with alcohol and boiling water to form a dough, then cutting it into appropriate lengths and drying it. It is then deep-fried in oil and coated with honey or grain syrup, and finally covered with sesame seeds, soybean powder, pine nut powder, or pine pollen powder to enhance both taste and appearance.

Gwajul is a traditional confection made from a glutinous rice base and decorated with puffed rice coating. As consumer preferences shifted toward healthier foods, Moraenae Hangwa Village was designated as Traditional Food No. 2 by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1995. Since then, it has produced five types of products including sesame gangjeong, exporting them overseas—including to the United States—thus contributing to national prestige and regional economic development. The village has received the Korean Government Industrial Medal and gained nationwide recognition as a traditional hangwa village.

Sacheon-myeon in Gangneung was originally called “Moraenae,” meaning “sandy stream,” due to the sandy river flowing through the area. Once a poor rural village just 30 years ago, it has transformed by preserving 130 years of traditional hangwa-making techniques. Through participation in the “One Village, One Specialty Product” initiative, the entire village now produces hangwa using traditional methods, becoming the renowned Moraenae Hangwa Village.

Gangneung Moraenae Hangwa Village was designated as a Traditional Food Preservation Village in 1989, an Information Model Village in 2001, and an Outstanding Village in the New Rural Community Movement. It continues to actively produce hangwa today.

While Korean food culture is increasingly westernized in appearance and taste, Moraenae Hangwa maintains its authenticity by using clean, self-produced glutinous rice for all ingredients except frying oil. Without automated or mass production facilities, the village preserves a traditional cottage industry approach, producing only limited quantities. This is the very strength that upholds the tradition and excellence of hangwa. It is truly a traditional Korean confection imbued with the spirit of craftsmanship.

Gangwon State is a region known for upland farming, where staple foods traditionally included corn rice, potato rice, potato dumpling soup, and buckwheat noodles made from field crops such as corn, potatoes, and buckwheat. Hangwa was also commonly made from these crops.

Moraenae Hangwa Village was originally a farming community, but as hangwa production increased, it became the main industry while farming became secondary. The village uses locally grown agricultural products as primary ingredients and established its own grain syrup factory, ensuring that only pure grain syrup is used. This results in its exceptional taste.

There is even a saying that once you taste hangwa from Moraenae Village in Gangneung, you cannot enjoy hangwa from elsewhere. This is because the grain syrup used differs from common malt syrup in both taste and production process; using regular malt syrup does not produce the authentic flavor of hangwa.

Gangneung is especially famous for gwajul, thanks to the dedicated efforts of local residents. By building a grain syrup factory and striving for better taste, they have produced superior-quality gwajul. They have also improved distribution systems, transitioning from offline sales to both online and offline channels, as well as exports overseas, making Gangneung hangwa even more widely known.

Through these efforts, Moraenae Hangwa has become a distinguished regional specialty with unique characteristics, attracting visitors from around the world. The residents of Moraenae Village cherish their ancestral heritage and continuously strive to further develop their traditions, making the village all the more charming and admirable.

The area surrounding Moraenae Village in Gangneung also offers plenty of attractions, including beaches, recreational forests, and literary museums. The nearest beach, Sacheon Beach, is known for its high-quality sand and clean water, attracting visitors year-round.

Although less widely known than Sacheon Beach, Hapyung Beach is popular among family travelers. It was named after Heo Bong, the second son of Heo Yeop, who once lived there. The beach features a stretch of white sand connected to Dwitbul Beach and a wide forest of pine trees behind it, offering a quiet and clean environment.

Visitors who come to Gangneung to enjoy the sea will likely think of hangwa as they walk along the white sandy shores. While hangwa makes an excellent gift or snack, we recommend visiting Moraenae Hangwa Village to experience the delight of tasting freshly made hangwa on-site.