Easy Homemade Acorn Jelly (도토리묵) – A Nutty & Savory Korean Delicacy

Acorn jelly, known as dotorimuk (도토리묵) in Korean, is a simple yet nutritious dish made from acorn starch. With its smooth, bouncy texture and mildly nutty flavor, dotorimuk is commonly enjoyed as a refreshing side dish, comforting soup, or salad, often dressed with soy sauce-based seasoning. Though it may look complex, making acorn jelly at home is surprisingly easy with just a few ingredients and the right cooking technique.

Equipment

• Pot
• Cooking spoon
• Rectangular glass Container
• Plastic wrap

Ingredients

• acorn jelly powder
• cold water
• salt
• vegetable oil

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized pot, combine the acorn jelly powder, cold water, and salt. Stir well until the powder is fully dissolved.
   
   
   
   
2. Set the heat to medium. For the first 3–4 minutes, stir occasionally to allow even heating with a cooking spoon.
   
   
   
   
3. At around the 4-minute mark, switch to continuous stirring for another 4–5 minutes. It will start forming soft peaks—much like whipped cream.
   
   
   
   
4. Once the mixture has thickened, add a small amount of cooking oil and continue stirring for one more minute. This step helps to enhance the texture and prevents the jelly from drying out.
   
   
   
   
5. Prepare a rectangular glass container for molding. Carefully pour the hot dotorimuk mixture into the container. To spread it evenly, gently shake the container and smooth out the surface using a spatula.
   
   
   
   
6. Loosely cover the container with plastic wrap and let it cool for at room temperature least 5 hours or overnight. As it cools, the jelly will firm up to the perfect consistency, yet tender and bouncy. If your kitchen is warm, you can refrigerate the jelly for faster cooling.
   
   
   
   
7. Once fully set, slice the acorn jelly into thin rectangular or bite-sized pieces and enjoy it with a savory soy-based sauce.
   
   
   

Tips

• Here are some delicious serving ideas:
  • Dotorimuk Muchim (Acorn Jelly Salad) – Toss the sliced jelly with a seasoning sauce made of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, green onions, and gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes).
  • Dotorimuk Soup – Add to a light broth with vegetables for a refreshing and nutritious meal.
  • Side Dish for a Traditional Korean Meal – Serve alongside steamed rice and classic banchan (Korean side dishes).