I Made the Popular Dalgona Candy from Netflix’s “Squid Game”

Everyone loves a good throwback moment. From fun games to tasty snacks, it feels great to be able to relive a nostalgic moment that brought you joy — that is, unless, you’re wearing a green track suit and just became a contestant in the Squid Game. 

If you’ve been following along (or have already binged) the first season of Netflix’s breakout hit, then you’re aware that in episode three, contestants play the nostalgic childhood “honeycomb” game. Ten minutes, one needle, and a brittle dalgona (aka ppopgi) — a treat made from sugar and baking soda. The task: Carve out embossed shapes while leaving them intact.

On the streets of South Korea, if you were able to do this successfully in front of a ppopgi vendor, you win a free candy. In the Squid Game, however, you win your life. Since the release of the show, TikTokers have been all in on the dalgona candy challenge, with the hashtag racking up almost 12 million views. I definitely wanted in — here’s what happened when I gave it a go.

Get the recipe: Squid Game Dalgona Candy

This recipe is as easy as it gets — with granulated sugar and baking soda being your only ingredients — and it comes together in less than five minutes. Before you begin, spray a piece of parchment paper and the bottom of a metal measuring cup with cooking spray. Add a heaping tablespoon of sugar into a metal ladle or small nonstick skillet and place directly over a medium flame, stirring with a chopstick until it begins to melt (about one minute). Once the sugar has melted, remove from the heat and stir in a pinch of baking soda. The mixture will puff up and turn a light caramel color. Pour onto the prepared parchment and, using the measuring cup bottom, press out to a quarter-inch thickness. Once flat, quickly and lightly press a cookie cutter onto the candy circle.

My one big takeaway is that making this candy is not a distracted person’s task. While it’s very easy to prep the treat, the second that the sugar starts to melt, the potential for burning is high. Things can be going great one minute, and then not-so-great the next. Once you get the timing down, though, this is an easy and quick way to satisfy your sweet tooth in minutes using two simple pantry items.

1. Stir the sugar until the crystals are completely gone and it’s in liquid form.
2.  If your sugar begins to burn, use a sweeping motion instead of holding your pan steady over the flame.
3.  Cooking spray on the parchment paper is essential. If you forget to use it, things could get sticky.
4.  The key is to act fast. Although it doesn’t create life-or-death consequences (like in Squid Game), taking your sweet time could ruin the candy. Warm sugar sets quickly, so press your shape immediately after flattening the disk.