Tteokguk

Korean rice cake soup

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A bowl of tteokguk

Tteokmanduguk, a variation with dumplings

Tteokguk (__ ) is a traditional Korean dish consisting of a soup with sliced rice cakes. It is customarily eaten during the Korean New Year celebration, known as Seollal. The dish is believed to bring good luck and is associated with the idea of gaining a year in age.

Ingredients and Preparation

The main ingredient in tteokguk is tteok, which are thinly sliced rice cakes. The rice cakes are typically made from glutinous rice and are cylindrical in shape before being sliced. The soup base is usually made from beef broth, although variations with chicken or anchovy broth exist. Common garnishes include egg, seaweed, and green onions.

To prepare tteokguk, the rice cakes are soaked in water to soften them. The broth is prepared by simmering beef brisket or bones with garlic and onions. Once the broth is ready, the sliced rice cakes are added and cooked until they become soft. The soup is then seasoned with soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

Cultural Significance

Eating tteokguk on New Year's Day is a long-standing tradition in Korea. It is said that consuming a bowl of tteokguk signifies the gaining of a year in age. The white color of the rice cakes symbolizes purity and a fresh start for the new year. Families often gather to share this meal, reinforcing familial bonds and cultural heritage.

Variations

A popular variation of tteokguk is tteokmanduguk (____ ), which includes mandu, or Korean dumplings, in addition to the rice cakes. This version is heartier and often enjoyed by those who prefer a more substantial meal.

Related pages

• Korean cuisine
• Seollal
• Mandu (food)

References

• "Tteokguk." Korean Food Foundation. Retrieved from [1]
• "Korean New Year Traditions." Visit Korea. Retrieved from [2]

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  Tteokmanduguk (rice cake dumpling soup)

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