Winter solstice 2026, December 22
Dongji Pat-juk: Recipes and Red Bean Porridge Shops
For the December 22, 2026 winter solstice, compare saealsim pat-juk, sweet red bean porridge, pat-kalguksu, and verified shops.
Cooking and building the meal
Dongji falls on December 22 in 2026
Dongji marks the winter solstice, and eating red bean porridge remains a Korean custom. This page is built to help you choose what kind of pat-juk to cook or where to eat it, not merely to attach a date to a general recipe.
Distinguish savory and sweet red bean porridge
For a savory meal, add glutinous rice dumplings and season with salt. Sweet danpat-juk uses sugar and sits closer to dessert. Pat-kalguksu adds wheat noodles to red bean broth for more chew and substance.
Begin by cooking the beans
Rinse dried red beans, briefly boil them, discard that water, and cook them in fresh water until soft. Strain or blend for a smooth porridge, or mash only part of the beans for texture. Add rice dumplings after the porridge has thickened so they do not become too soft.
Eating out and choosing a restaurant
Restaurants with verified red bean porridge dishes
The documented menus name dishes such as unsweetened whole-bean porridge, saealsim pat-juk, sweet red bean porridge, and pat-kalguksu. Orders, waits, and sellouts may change on Dongji, so check each listing and current shop information.
Restaurants to compare
Recipes to continue with
Useful next steps
Frequently asked questions
When is Dongji in 2026?
Dongji falls on December 22, 2026, according to the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute calendar.
Is Dongji pat-juk sweet or salty?
It depends on the household and region. Savory pat-juk with rice dumplings is often salted, while danpat-juk is sweetened with sugar.
Can pat-juk be made the day before?
The red bean base can be prepared ahead. Cook rice dumplings or noodles near serving so they do not swell and soften overnight.