Tteokguk for the Korean New Year
The Korean New Year, also known as Seollal, isn’t complete without tteokguk, or rice cake soup. Tteokguk was originally a special dish reserved only for Seollal, and although it has become a popular dish eaten throughout the year, the tradition of eating tteokguk during the Korean New Year carries on. Each bowl of tteokguk eaten is meant to bring prosperity and good fortune in the new year, as well as the aging of an additional year. Here is a simple yet delicious recipe to warm the home for the holiday.
Ingredients (serves 2):
- 4 cups sliced rice cake (preferably soaked in water in the refrigerator overnight)
- 4 cups water
- 100g ground beef
- 1T soup soy sauce (gukganjang 국간장)
- 1T anchovy sauce (myeolchiaekjut 멸치액젓)
- 1T minced garlic
- 1T green onion, finely chopped (daepa, 대파)
- 1/4 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1tsp sesame salt (kkaesogeum, 깨소금)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (chamgireum 참기름)
Instructions:
1. To marinate beef, mix all ingredients except for rice cake and water. Set aside.
2. Drain the rice cake, add to a pot with the water, and heat on high.
3. Meanwhile, add olive oil to a skillet on high heat. Add one ladle of water to the marinated beef. Cook until browned.
4. Once the rice cakes start to float, reduce heat to medium and cook until the rice cakes are tender, about five minutes.
5. Transfer the rice cake soup into bowls. Add browned beef and remaining marinade from skillet into bowls. Garnish with egg and dried seaweed strips.
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I always ate ddukgook that my mom made for me, but I never tried making it myself. I think I’ll take a go at it with this recipe. Thanks!!