Ingredients

• 2 cups glutinous rice flour (240 g)
• 4 tablespoons boiling water
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds (45 g)
• 1/8 cup honey (50 g), or 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup dried black beans (100 g), or 1 cup fresh beans (200 g)
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• Pine needles, as needed
• Sesame oil, as needed

Instructions

1. Mix the glutinous rice flour with boiling water and knead until smooth, then cover with a damp cloth for 30 minutes.
2. Toast the sesame seeds in a pan, grind them, and mix with honey. Sugar may be used instead.
3. If using fresh beans, soak them and mix well with salt.
4. Remove any black tips from the pine needles, wash them, and drain.
5. Divide the dough into chestnut-sized pieces and shape them into balls.
6. Press the center of each ball with your thumb and rotate to form a hollow; fill with sesame or bean filling and pinch closed into a half-moon shell shape.
7. Line a steamer with pine needles and arrange the songpyeon in layers, alternating with pine needles so they do not touch.
8. Steam for about 30 minutes until cooked.
9. Remove the pine needles, brush with sesame oil, and transfer to a serving dish.