My Royal Nemesis: Shiny Objects

Fruit never looked so good

Think she likes it?

One of the first things that Shin Seo-ri learns about life in the 21st century is the joy of junk food. In Episode 2 of My Royal Nemesis, the 17th Joseon court lady strolls through a Korean market, eating every sweetie in sight. She gobbles up Dippin’ Dots and donuts with chocolate icing and sprinkles. But those are rather pedestrian desserts that I’ve sampled many times.

What I haven’t had are the glossy candied grapes on a skewer that Seo-ri was popping in her mouth. Those glistening nuggets are tanghulu, a traditional Chinese candied fruit that dates back to the Song Dynasty. The skewered fruit is dipped in a heated sugar syrup that hardens into a crunchy shell.

The white cups are standard and used to catch the bits of sugar coating that fall.

The thought of the crackling sugar coating giving way to a gush of juicy grape is keeping me up at night.

Hawthorn berries—a tart red fruit—were originally used in tanghulu. Now, however, they are made with a variety of fruits, from strawberries to orange sections and kiwi slices.

Tanghulu made with the traditional hawthorn berries.

About five years ago, tanghulu became very popular in South Korea. A video featuring members of the supergroup Blackpink making the candied fruit is credited with creating the craze, though demand for the snack has decreased in recent years.

Tanghulu are now made with a wide variety of fruits.

However, Shin Seo-ri doesn’t seem to care that these are now passé. The look on her face while she eats them is one of pure delight.

I don’t care either. My sister and I are planning a trip to Korea next fall, and you better believe I will be hunting down some tanghulu.

I only hope I don’t crack a tooth.

Note: Tanghulu is available in the U.S. Probably any city with a sizeable Asian population will have it. A quick Google search came up with vendors in Chicago, NYC, Houston and Dallas. Even the Mall of America near Minneapolis has a stand.