Delicious Homemade Sikae (Sweet Rice Drink) Made Easy and Fast

Microwave-Assisted 30-Minute Sikae Recipe Using the ‘Manmulsang’ Method for Large Batches

Delicious Homemade Sikae (Sweet Rice Drink) Made Easy and Fast

Don’t let the holidays pass without enjoying Sikae, a traditional Korean sweet rice drink! This recipe shows you how to make it easily at home. It’s inspired by the ’30-minute Sikae’ method from ‘Salim 9dan Manmulsang’ (a popular Korean TV show), allowing you to achieve a deep flavor without the usual complicated steps. I used to believe Sikae had to be fermented in a rice cooker to turn out right, but I was astonished to discover that using a microwave yields equally wonderful results! I honestly braced myself for failure, but the taste was so incredibly good, it felt like an emotional tsunami. A small heads-up: your microwave might pause temporarily during operation, but this is perfectly normal, especially with older models. (Our home microwave, being quite old, did pause, but newer or more powerful ones might not experience this.) This amazing secret recipe, created amidst a bit of worry, was a huge success! It also sparked an idea for an even more advanced method next time, which I might have to share as another Sikae recipe. Check out the video to see how to easily make large batches of Sikae and try it yourself! Wishing you a happy day today~♡

Recipe Info

  • Category : Tea / Beverage / Alcohol
  • Ingredient Category : Rice
  • Occasion : Holiday food
  • Cooking : Boil / Simmer
  • Servings : More than 6 servings
  • Cooking Time : Within 90 minutes
  • Difficulty : Anyone

Ingredients

  • 1 kg malted barley powder (yeotgireum)
  • 1.5 bowls cooked rice
  • 3 Tbsp sugar (for initial mix)
  • 3 bowls water (for steeping malt)
  • 9 liters water (for fermenting rice)
  • Sugar (to taste, adjust as needed)

Cooking Instructions

Step 1

Place the 1kg of malted barley powder into a cheesecloth bag. Pour 3 bowls of water over it and gently knead to extract the malt water. Repeat this process 2-3 times until you have a clear malt water, ensuring all the powder is used.

Step 2

Strain the extracted malt water through a fine-mesh sieve to separate the clear liquid from the solids. Properly straining the malt residue is crucial for a clear and delicious Sikae.

Step 3

In a wide, cool bowl that is microwave-safe, place 1.5 bowls of cooked rice. Pour 9 liters of hot water over the rice and add 3 tablespoons of sugar. Stir well to combine. Microwave this mixture for 5 minutes. (The exact microwave time may vary depending on your appliance’s power.)

Step 4

In a separate pot, pour the strained malt water. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer gently for about 10 minutes. Simmering enhances the rich, nutty flavor of the malt.

Step 5

Carefully remove the rice mixture from the microwave. Strain it through a sieve to separate the rice grains. Rinse the rice grains under cold running water to cool them down, then drain thoroughly in a sieve to remove excess water. This prevents the rice from clumping and ensures they float beautifully in the Sikae.

Step 6

Gently add the drained rice grains to the simmering malt water in the pot. Stir carefully to incorporate the rice evenly into the malt liquid.

Step 7

Now, add sugar to your preference. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar. Once the sugar is dissolved, increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. As soon as it boils, turn off the heat and let it cool completely. Cooling thoroughly is essential for the rice to ferment properly and develop the characteristic taste and aroma of Sikae.

Step 8

Transfer the completely cooled Sikae into a clean container and store it in the refrigerator. You can enjoy it immediately, or let it mature for a few more days in the fridge for an even richer flavor.

Step 9

Finally, pour the chilled Sikae into serving bowls. For an aesthetically pleasing presentation, garnish with toppings like pine nuts, dried jujubes, or pomegranate seeds according to your preference. Enjoy your delicious homemade Sikae!



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