Kongjaban is a common Korean side dish made from black beans. It is very popular for lunch boxes because it is easy to make and it lasts a long time in the refrigerator. The bean flavor mixed with soy sauce and sugar gives it good flavor.
Yield: 1 Pint
Short Korean Lesson: *^^*
- GeomJung (검정) = Black
- Kong (콩) = Bean
Main Ingredients
- 1½ Cups Black Beans
- 3 Cups Water
- ½ Cup Soy Sauce
- 4 Tbsp Corn Syrup
- 3-4 Tbsp Sugar
- ½ Tbsp Sesame Seeds
Directions
Wash 1½ cups of black beans several times and soak them in water for 30 minutes.
In a pan add the black beans and 3 cups of water.
Boil them on high for about 20 to 25 minutes: until the water is reduced in half.
Add ½ cup of soy sauce.
Then add 4 Tbsp of corn syrup and 3-4 Tbsp of sugar depending on your tastes. You can skip the corn syrup and use sugar or honey instead.
Reduce the temperature to medium-high, and cook them for 20 to 25 minutes: until the liquid is almost gone. Watch carefully not to burn them.
Sprinkle ½ Tbsp of sesame seeds on them, and cook them for 5 more minutes on low. Turn off the heat.
My husband likes this side dish. 
I hope you will like it too. Thanks!
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Hi Aeri! I’m so glad I came across this recipe of yours! I ate this when I had a vacation in Korea n loved it! I even asked the restaurant if they could sell me some so I can bring hone but unfortunately they don’t sell it.
Anyway, I’ll be making this dish this weekend n I want to clarify sone things just so I’ll get it right.
1) Is the soy sauce used light soy sauce (more watery n less saltish) or dark soy sauce (saltier n thicker)?
2) Do you cover the pot when cooking it? Do I need to constantly stir the beans to prevent them from getting burned?
Sorry for asking so many questions. (´･_･`)
hi Jessica,
You didn’t ask many questions.. don’t feel sorry. I’m sorry again for my late reply. thanks
I’m very sorry for late reply.
Korean soy sauce is a little different from Chinese soy sauce. (light and dark) so whatever you use, adjust the saltness with your taste with that soy sauce. I don’t cover the lid..and you can just stir sometimes..
Hi Aeri
I’ve tried this dish twice. I noticed that the bean becomes chewy when stored in the fridge.
The second attempt I decided to boil the beans longer. It was soft but becomes chewy after I refridgerate it. Is this normal?
I like this dish b’cos I didn’t know how to cook black beans before and it taste delicious. too.
hi ymase,
Yes, that’s normal. You got the right result..hehe thanks
Hi Aeri,
Thanks so much for sharing all of these awesome recipes! Your website is quickly becoming my #1 go-to site for Korean food references. Speaking of which, the black bean side dish is one of my favorite Korean side dishes. I’ve tried making it 3 times so far and am still fine-tuning it. One question that I have is, in the end when there’s residual liquid in the pot, do you store the beans soaked in the liquid or do you remove the liquid and then store the beans by themselves? I hope that makes sense.
Anyway, love your website (and videos!). I’m looking forward to more tasty stuff!
- Judith
hi Judith,
I keep all the beans and the liquid together.. the liquid helps keep the bean not too try..and gives flavor to the beans too.. so..^^
Thanks ~~~
I made these night although they turned out great they weren’t as crunch as the ones I bought from the korean market. Is there anyway to give them a cruncher texture?
hi shernel,
2 things you can do..
Reduce the time for soaking the beans in water… because the reason you soak the beans in water before you cook them is… to make the beans softer.
and.. increase the amount of corn syrup.. instead reduce the amount of sugar… corn syrup makes the bean texture harder.. ^^
Oh my gosh, i missed everything! Sister, whenever i go into a korean restaurant, i crave for this all the time, it’s was awesome , i love it!! SO DELICIOUS! Thanks for sharing, but i can’t get the bean here…><
Hi chuiyew,
Oh~~ you love this. ^^ aha… the price for Korean food in a Korean restaurant over there is expensive ??? Have a great week.
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Hi aeri thank you for the recipe this may sound stupid but do you eat this with chopsticks or a spoon?
thank you for all your dedication!
Hi tjenelle,
haha.. your question is not stupid..but cute.. my husband gave you an answer.. he said.. greedy person eats it with spoon..and patience person eats it with chopstick. lol My answer is… you can eat it with whatever you feel comfortable to eat. It’s kind of salty side-dish..so you might want.. one or two pieces for your spoonful of rice..so maybe chopstick is more logical ?? hehe thanks for cute question.
p.s Aha, if you wondered about Korean table manner for eating.. I can say.. we use spoon for rice and soup.. or some broth from side-dish…. and chopsticks for noodles or side-dishes. hehe thanks !!
finally, i made this today. it was a sure winner with my hubby and children. as for me, i’m not so fond of beans but i must say this is delicious. please post more side dishes! i like your recipes so much
Hi layping,
hehe.. Assa.. so your family liked this too. I love your family…Tell them what I said for me.. Thanks 
Our taste must be similar.. I’m not big fan of bean either. yes..but I can eat this side-dish.
my pleasure, i will tell them that!! yeah, we have similar taste buds, hhaha
Hi layping,
How was your day? Mine was okay. Many people got a cold around here.. how about over there ?? Take care !!!
Hi Aeri! It has been a long time since I’ve visited your website and I’m glad to see you are still updating it with new recipes. I’ve seen Koreans eat this dish before but have always wondered what it was. Thanks for sharing this recipe! I am visiting Seoul in December and can’t wait to try out all the food!!
Hi crzycpl,
Happy to see you again~~ wow you will visit seoul in December ??? oh… please take me with you…. hehe joke. I hope you have wonderful time and try lots of delicious Korean food. I envy you..:) thanks
Hi Aeri!! Thank you so much for your wonderful site, I am soooo glad I came across it. I am visiting my korean market today to buy the ingredients. I plan to make a few of the side dishes you have posted here to begin my journey of learning to make korean food. I have a question for you – do you use dry uncooked black beans? I have some canned black beans at home, and I believe those usually come cooked already. Does this change how long I cook the beans?
hi s_bunny,
Nice to meet you !!!
yes, I used dry uncooked black beans… actually my husband suggested me to try black beans from can as you mentioned..I didn’t try it yet.. so can’t tell the result..but I might try that way too someday. but clear thing is..in Korea..we use dried black bean..not from can.. ^^
Oh man, kongjaban is my favorite banchan, but my mom never makes it for me. Now I can make it for myself! Thanks Aeri!
Hi Jessica,
haha… you like kongjaban ??? My husband likes it…but not me.. oops..hehe Yes, now you can make it for yourself. I hope you like this recipe. thanks
Aeri! I actually like to eat this with jjuk. One question though. Do you rinse the beans after you soak them and use fresh clean water to boil them in?
Hi JT,
Thanks !!!
Oh.. since you already washed the beans before you soak them water, just drain out the water and get fresh water to boil them.
Hi Aeri,
I’m making it right now. I’m sure it will be great like all of you other dishes! My daughter loves this dish.
Did you have your baby?
Thanks as always!
Hi Jennifer,
Oh, you already tried this one??? hehe..I hope your daughter likes this recipe too. Thanks !!! Oh.. baby?? not yet.. It will be November 17th..
hi, i had done a soy bean side dish. so, i am really for black bean’s. thanks for your recipe. good to try s’thing new
hi layping
Oh.. so this dish is new to you ??? haha.. good.. try it someday.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
i have never had this before! i might try this and let you know if i like it. I’m sure i will though…
nice choice of dishes and i like the korean paper underneath.
miss you! 
hi farleen,
oooooooooo !!! haha.. cute…
To be honest, this is one side-dish I don’t like… sh~~~ My mom tried to feed me this when I was little… I didn’t want to eat… It’s still not my type of food. lol… but my husband loves it… so I will see if farleen likes it. Oh.. you nocited the Korean paper..hehe I like that too. thanks