Baek Jong-won's Sweet Potato Paps

Cooking tips 💡

• Never stir the sugar while melting—it can crystallize and harden. Instead, tilt the pan occasionally to help it dissolve evenly.
• If the oil is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside cooks. Add the sweet potatoes before smoke appears, at a safe temperature.
• The sugar syrup poses a serious burn risk during heating—keep children away from the cooking area.
• If the syrup turns too dark, it becomes bitter. Reduce the heat immediately once the syrup develops a uniform amber hue.

A secret technique that prevents sticky residue on hands and maintains crispiness—this Chinese-style sweet potato paps (mattang) is made without stirring the sugar syrup.