Nurungji: The Korean Burnt Rice Dish You'll Love

Nurungji (누룽지) is a traditional Korean delicacy that holds a prominent place in Korean cuisine and if you’re my daughter, it’s your favorite Korean comfort food. Called burnt rice or scorched rice, nurungji is the crispy, golden crust that forms at the bottom of the hot pot when cooking rice. Want to learn more about nurungji, including its health benefits, when Koreans typically enjoy it, and how to make this delectable treat, you’ve come to the right spot.

Nurungji (누룽지), Korean scorched rice soup, burnt rice soup

Learn more about one of our favorite Korean comfort foods, nurugnji:

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What is nurungji (누룽지)?

Nurungji is usually translated as a burnt rice or scorched rice. This can make it sound less than appetizing, but it is meant to be eaten this way. After the rice is boiled and most of it is taken out of the pot, a thin crust on the bottom is left to continue cooking and crisp, or burn.

Nurungji can be eaten in a crispy state as a snack, or with hot water to make a kind of after meal rice tea. If you’re at a restaurant that serves rice in a hot pot with a wooden lid on it, you’re supposed to remove the majority of the rice and then fill the pot with water from a kettle on the table and cover it again to create the nurungji soup you’ll eat at the end of the meal.

You’ll also end up with a bit of nurungji when you eat dolsot bibimbap (돌솥 비빔밥), or the bibimbap that comes in a hot pot still cooking away.

Nurungji is a comfort food for many, including my daughter, and is easy to keep around as it can be stored conveniently in the pantry or in a cupboard. Nurungji is so popular that you don’t have to burn rice on your own at home if you don’t want to. You can purchase it at markets in Korea or buy it online.

Is burnt rice healthy?

Burnt rice, or nurungji, contains a lot of carbon which can enhance immunity and detoxify bad toxins in the body. It also contains a lot of amino acids helping to increase the energy of the body and helps with recovery and regeneration of the body so it’s recommended as a good hangover cure in Korea.

The health benefits of nurungji include being:

High in fiber: Nurungji retains a significant amount of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes a healthy digestive system.
Rich in antioxidants: The toasting process of nurungji increases its antioxidant content. Antioxidants help combat harmful free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting overall health.
An energy boost: Nurungji provides a sustained release of energy due to its complex carbohydrate content. It can serve as an excellent energy source for individuals engaged in physical activities or those who require a long-lasting source of energy throughout the day.
Nutrient-rich: Nurungji retains essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are vital for maintaining a healthy body.

Where to buy nurungji online

Pre-made nurungji is great to have on hand. It doesn’t require lengthy soaking time. Just pop it onto the stove with some water and you can make burnt rice porridge quickly and easily. Dried nurungji rehydrates and softens easily while simmering on the stove. Or, just crunch on it as is if you like snacking on it.

You can find Gugane Foods Korean Cauldron Nurungji Crispy Rice on Amazon as well as Yaksun Seokchangpo Nurungji on Amazon which are two great choices.

There also nurungji snacks which you can buy that are already premade. They’re thinner and not meant to be made into soup or tea but more of a cracker snack to enjoy. You can try the THE PLAINY Korean Healthy Snack mix or the Kindness Scorched Rice – 5 type assorted set. I tried some of these offered to us as snacks when I was doing a radio show on TBS.efm and they are pretty delicious. Definitely lighter and snacky, but delicious.

When to eat nurungji

Koreans typically enjoy nurungji in various settings, each with its own unique charm:

For breakfast: Nurungji is commonly consumed for breakfast. Koreans mix the toasted rice crust with hot water, creating a nutritious rice soup called “nurungji-guk.” This light and flavorful soup provide an energizing start to the day.
As a snack: Nurungji is a popular snack option in Korea. Its crispy texture and rich flavor make it a satisfying snack choice for people of all ages. Our daughter enjoys it as an afternoon snack after school especially.
- If it’s the snack version, my daughter just likes the soup, but some people like to sprinkle the nurungji with sugar for a sweeter snack alternative.
At celebrations: Nurungji holds a special place in Korean celebrations, especially during festive occasions like weddings and traditional holidays. It is often served as part of a larger meal, symbolizing good luck and abundance.

How to make nurungji

Making nurungji from scratch is a straightforward process and you may even do it accidentally sometimes. That’s how I ended up making it the first time anyway and then my husband stepped in to save the day.

Cook rice
- Begin by preparing a pot of rice using your preferred method. Korean short-grain rice, such as “sushi rice” or “sticky rice,” works best for producing nurungji.
Allow for crust formation
- Once the rice is cooked, let it sit in the pot for an additional 5-10 minutes with the heat turned off. This allows the bottom layer of rice to develop a crispy crust.
Toast the crust
- Turn the heat back on to low and place the pot back on the stove. Gently scrape the bottom of the pot to release the crispy crust. Stir the rice occasionally to ensure even toasting and prevent burning.
Serve and enjoy
- Once the crust turns golden brown and achieves the desired crunchiness, remove it from the heat and transfer it to a serving dish. Nurungji can be enjoyed on its own as a snack or used to create delicious dishes like nurungji-guk.

Nurungji, the toasted rice crust adored in Korean cuisine, offers not only a delightful taste but also numerous health benefits. Its high fiber content, antioxidants, and rich nutrient profile make it a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Whether enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or during celebratory occasions, nurungji has earned its place as a cherished culinary tradition in Korea. So why not try making this delectable treat and savor the unique flavors of nurungji for yourself?

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