On Tuesday evening in Flushing, the scent of roasted black sesame drifted from a second-floor walkup bakery, mingling with the crisp, early-autumn air. Chuseok, Korea’s mid-autumn harvest festival, is underway this week, and New York’s Korean community is marking the occasion with tradition and innovation alike. While the usual suspects—songpyeon, the half-moon rice cakes filled with sweet sesame or beans—anchor family tables, a quieter revolution is happening in home kitchens: a simple black sesame cake, inspired by classic flavors but baked for contemporary city life.

Eric Kim, the Korean American food writer whose recipes have become a touchstone for home cooks in Queens and Manhattan, recently offered his take on Chuseok dessert. His black sesame cake, a soft loaf imbued with earthy nuttiness, isn’t a traditional offering. But as he explained to a crowd at a Koreatown cooking demo last Friday, “it channels the essence of songpyeon—the warmth, the nostalgia, the sense of gathering—without the hours of kneading and steaming.”

At H Mart on 32nd Street, black sesame paste and glutinous rice flour have been flying off the shelves since Sunday, according to cashier Minji Park. “People are looking for something they can make at home, but they don’t have all afternoon,” she said, ringing up a customer’s basket of baking powder and toasted sesame seeds. The cake requires little more than pantry basics, making it an approachable project for busy New Yorkers juggling back-to-school and the city’s relentless September pace.

This week, as families gather in apartments from Bay Ridge to Elmhurst, the old and new are coexisting on the table. Some elders still shape songpyeon by hand, while their grandchildren riff on recipes they find on TikTok or Instagram. Kim’s black sesame cake, baked in loaf pans and served in thick slices, bridges generations and continents, giving Chuseok a distinctly New York flavor.

If you hear the whir of a stand mixer behind a neighbor’s door tonight, odds are good they’re baking more than dessert—they’re recreating the comfort and connection that autumn in New York, and Chuseok itself, delivers year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eric Kim’s black sesame cake inspired by?

Eric Kim’s black sesame cake is inspired by traditional songpyeon, the classic Korean half-moon rice cakes.

Why is black sesame cake popular for Chuseok in NYC?

The black sesame cake is popular because it is quick and easy to make compared to traditional Chuseok desserts like songpyeon.

Which ingredients have seen increased sales at H Mart during Chuseok?

Black sesame paste and glutinous rice flour have seen increased sales at H Mart on 32nd Street during Chuseok.

How are Korean families in NYC celebrating Chuseok differently this year?

Korean families in NYC are combining traditional desserts like songpyeon with modern alternatives such as black sesame cake, reflecting both tradition and innovation.

In which NYC neighborhoods are Chuseok celebrations taking place?

Chuseok celebrations are taking place in neighborhoods like Flushing, Bay Ridge, and Elmhurst.

Editorial Transparency. A first draft of this story was produced with AI-assisted writing tools, then reviewed for accuracy and tone by the named editor before publication. More on our process: Editorial Policy.