Korean Strawberry Jelly | Chewy Agar Candy | 9.87 oz
Korean strawberry jelly is a 9.87 oz (280 g) bag of individually wrapped, agar-based chewy candies with a sweet-tart strawberry flavor, made in Busan by Ilkwang Confectionery, a Korean candy maker since 1969.
What is Ilkwang strawberry jelly?
Korean strawberry jelly (딸기맛젤리) is a classic Korean chewy agar candy, not a gummy. Each piece is a small pink block set with agar (a seaweed-derived gelling agent), coated in a thin edible starch film, and twist-wrapped one by one. The flavor is sweet with a light tang; the bite starts firm and turns pleasantly chewy.
Ilkwang Confectionery (일광제과) has made candy and jelly in Korea since 1969. These starch-dusted agar jellies are the kind many Koreans remember from corner stores and grandparents' candy jars.
Origin and authenticity
Product of Korea. Made by Ilkwang Confectionery Co., Ltd. in Gangseo-gu, Busan, in a facility certified under Korea's HACCP food-safety program (the HACCP mark is printed on the front of the bag). Kosbee imports the Korean retail pack and ships it from New Jersey.
Key facts
- Country of origin
- Korea (Busan)
- Net weight
- 280 g (9.87 oz), about 20 pieces of 14 g
- Form
- Individually wrapped chewy jelly blocks with an edible starch (oblate) coating
- Ingredients
- Starch syrup, sugar, agar, oblate powder (potato starch, corn starch, soy lecithin), strawberry concentrate 0.1% (65% solids), salt, emulsifier, strawberry flavor, FD&C Red No. 40
- Per piece (14 g)
- 50 calories, 13 g total carbohydrate, 0 g fat, 0 mg sodium (as printed on pack)
- Allergens
- Contains soybean. Made in a facility that also processes wheat, peanut, peach, milk, shellfish (abalone), and fish
- Storage
- Cool place away from direct sunlight; reseal the bag after opening
How to enjoy Korean strawberry jelly
How do you eat Korean agar jelly candy?
Unwrap and chew slowly. The starch coating is edible and keeps pieces from sticking, so there is nothing to peel. One or two pieces with hot green tea or an Americano make an easy afternoon break, and the wrappers travel well in a lunchbox or desk drawer.
How should I store it?
Keep the bag sealed in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight. Heat softens agar jelly, so avoid leaving it in a hot car. Refrigeration is not needed.
Safety
Contains soybean. Made on equipment that also processes wheat, peanut, peach, milk, shellfish (abalone), and fish. The jelly is firm and chewy: chew each piece well rather than swallowing it whole, and take care if you have dental work or sensitive teeth. Not recommended for young children who may swallow pieces whole.
Korean agar jelly vs. gummy bears: what's the difference?
Korean agar jelly differs from gummy candy in the gelling agent. Gummy bears are typically set with gelatin, which gives a springy, bouncy chew. Ilkwang strawberry jelly is set with agar, a seaweed-derived gelling agent, so the texture is firmer at first bite and then softly chewy rather than rubbery. No gelatin is listed in the ingredients, and each piece is dusted with an edible starch coating instead of sugar or wax.
Unlike soft, cup-packed Japanese fruit jellies, Korean agar jelly is a dry, wrapped candy that keeps at room temperature. Among Ilkwang's jellies, this is the fruit-sweet, kid-friendly one.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ilkwang strawberry jelly made in Korea?
Yes. It is made by Ilkwang Confectionery Co., Ltd. in Busan and labeled Product of Korea. Ilkwang has made candy and jelly since 1969, and the factory carries Korea's HACCP food-safety certification. Kosbee stocks the Korean retail pack in New Jersey.
How many pieces are in a bag and how do I store them?
A 280 g (9.87 oz) bag holds about 20 individually wrapped pieces of 14 g each, about 50 calories per piece. Keep the bag sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat, which can soften agar jelly. No refrigeration is needed.
What is the white powder on each jelly?
The white film is oblate powder, an edible coating made from potato starch, corn starch, and soy lecithin. It stops the agar jelly from sticking to its wrapper and to other pieces, and it dissolves in the mouth. It is a normal part of Korean agar jelly, not a sign of age or spoilage.
Korean agar jelly vs. gummy candy: which is chewier?
Gummy candy is springier because it is set with gelatin. Korean agar jelly uses agar from seaweed, so it bites firm and then turns soft and chewy without bouncing back. Ilkwang lists no gelatin in this product's ingredients, which makes it a common pick for shoppers who avoid gelatin-based sweets.
How fast does it ship?
Orders ship from Kosbee's New Jersey warehouse within 1 business day. Orders of $60 or more ship free within the US; smaller orders ship for a flat $9.99. As a food item it is not returnable, but contact us if your bag arrives damaged.
Explore more
Browse the full Korean jelly candy collection and Korean traditional candy and snacks. In the same Ilkwang agar jelly line, try Korean ginger jelly or Jeju mandarin jelly.
