Korean Job's Tears Tea (Creamy Grain Porridge Drink)
Yulmu-cha is a Korean grain tea made from Job's tears powder and glutinous rice powder, first dissolved in cold water to prevent lumps, then cooked on low heat with constant stirring. Once the mixture begins to thicken, milk is added for a creamier body, and honey with a pinch of salt balances the sweetness. Job's tears give the drink a distinctly nutty, toasted grain aroma that pairs smoothly with the milk, producing a texture thicker than typical tea but lighter than porridge. The glutinous rice powder contributes a subtle stickiness that coats the palate, and reducing the water ratio yields an even denser, more filling version.
Adjust Servings
Instructions
- 1
In a pot, dissolve Job's tears powder and rice powder with a little water.
- 2
Add the remaining water and cook over low heat while stirring.
- 3
When it starts to thicken, add milk and simmer for 3 more minutes.
- 4
Season with honey and a pinch of salt.
- 5
Pour into cups and serve warm.
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Tips
Nutrition (per serving)
More Recipes

Korean Pine Nut Job's Tears Shake
Jat-yulmu shake blends boiled job's tears and pine nuts with milk, honey, and ice into a thick grain-based shake. The job's tears must be cooked until fully soft to eliminate any gritty texture and blend smoothly, while the pine nuts - high in natural oils - create a creamy emulsion that gives the shake its rich body. Honey provides a clear sweetness over the mild grain base, and vanilla extract adds aromatic depth. A pinch of salt brings forward the nutty pine flavor and the toasty character of the job's tears, and blending with ice cubes makes the final drink cold and thick.

Korean Heotgae Tea (Oriental Raisin Tree Hangover Herbal Brew)
Heotgae-cha is a traditional Korean herbal tea made by simmering dried oriental raisin tree fruit with jujubes, ginger, and a cinnamon stick over low heat for thirty-five minutes. The dried heotgae fruit, small and knobby in appearance, releases a deep, earthy sweetness the longer it cooks. Ginger adds a sharp warmth, cinnamon contributes aromatic sweetness, and jujubes layer in a mellow fruit note, giving the tea a complex, multi-layered profile. Honey is stirred in at the end to adjust sweetness, and the tea has been traditionally consumed in Korea as a morning-after drink following alcohol.

Korean Ginseng Tea (Fresh Ginseng Jujube Herbal Brew)
Insam-cha is a traditional Korean ginseng tea made by thinly slicing fresh ginseng (susam) and simmering it with jujubes and ginger over low heat for twenty minutes. Fresh ginseng is milder and less bitter than dried ginseng, but slicing it thin is essential for the active compounds to infuse efficiently, releasing the root's characteristic earthy, herbal aroma during cooking. Jujubes naturally soften the ginseng's bitterness, and ginger introduces a sharp warmth that gives the tea its backbone. Honey balances the flavor, and a few pine nuts floated on the surface add an oily richness that complements the herbal notes.

Korean Job's Tears Walnut Latte
Yulmu-hodu latte is a Korean grain latte made by dry-toasting soaked job's tears and walnuts, then blending them with milk into a smooth, thick drink. The job's tears must soak for at least two hours so they break down completely in the blender, and toasting caramelizes their starch just enough to eliminate any raw grain taste while drawing out a deep, roasted nuttiness. After blending, the mixture is strained once for a silky consistency, sweetened with honey, and seasoned with a small pinch of salt that sharpens the nutty flavor. A dusting of ground cinnamon on top adds a warm spice note that complements the earthy grain base.

Korean Sesame Porridge (Toasted Sesame Silky Rice Porridge)
Toasted sesame seeds are ground to a fine powder and stirred into a porridge of soaked rice, water, and milk, then simmered slowly until the mixture reaches a silky, almost cream-soup consistency. Toasting the seeds beforehand is non-negotiable - raw seeds lack the deep nutty fragrance that defines this dish. Constant stirring over low heat prevents scorching and helps the rice break down completely into the sesame base. Lightly salted and served with honey or rice syrup on top, kkaejuk is a traditional Korean porridge valued for its gentle warmth and easy digestibility.

Baesuk (Korean Poached Pear Punch)
Baesuk is a traditional Korean punch made by slowly simmering whole or large-cut Korean pear with ginger, whole black peppercorns, and dried jujubes. As the pear cooks over low heat, its juice gradually dissolves into the liquid, building a natural sweetness that forms the drink's backbone. Ginger contributes a warm, peppery sharpness that interlocks with the pear's sweetness, producing a flavor that is comforting yet clean. Whole peppercorns are used sparingly; they provide a subtle spice aroma in the background rather than actual heat. Jujubes add a faint reddish tint and a mild fruity undertone to the liquid. Honey is stirred in after the heat is turned off and the temperature has dropped slightly, preserving its fragrance; because the pear already contributes significant sweetness, the honey amount should start small and be adjusted by taste. Overnight refrigeration allows the ginger and pear flavors to meld more fully, rounding out the drink. Pine nuts floated on the surface before serving add a subtle oily richness to the finish of each sip.