Tteokguk

Tteokguk is a traditional Korean dish that is commonly consumed during the celebration of the Korean New Year. The dish is a type of soup that is made primarily from tteok, which are Korean rice cakes, and is often garnished with thin slices of beef, seaweed, and egg.

History

The tradition of eating tteokguk on New Year's Day is believed to have started during the Goryeo dynasty. The white color of the rice cakes is said to symbolize purity and a fresh start, while the round shape of the rice cakes is associated with the shape of the sun and moon, symbolizing a wish for a bright and prosperous new year.

Preparation

To prepare tteokguk, the rice cakes are first soaked in cold water for about an hour. Meanwhile, a broth is prepared by boiling beef bones and meat. The soaked rice cakes are then added to the broth and boiled until they become soft. The soup is seasoned with soy sauce, salt, and pepper, and garnished with thin slices of cooked beef, seaweed, and egg.

Cultural Significance

In Korean culture, eating a bowl of tteokguk on New Year's Day is associated with gaining a year of age. This is related to the Korean age reckoning system, where a person is considered a year older on New Year's Day rather than on their actual birthday. Therefore, it is common for Koreans to ask each other "Have you eaten tteokguk?" as a way of asking "Are you a year older?"

Variations

There are several regional variations of tteokguk. In the Jeolla region, it is common to add kimchi and gochujang (red chili paste) to the soup, giving it a spicy flavor. In the Gyeongsang region, the soup is often made with a seafood-based broth and garnished with oysters and clams.