TteokGuk | Korean Rice Cake Soup - What Great Grandma Ate

a white bowl filled with a Korean soup called tteokguk.

5 from 1 vote

TteokGuk | Korean Rice Cake Soup

TteokGuk or Korean Rice Cake Soup is a nourishing, cozy soup believed to bring a new year full of wealth and prosperity. Popularly served during Lunar New Year, it can be enjoyed all year long. A healthy, protein-packed soup for the whole family.

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Total Time50

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: korean rice cake soup, lunar new year, tteokguk

Servings: servings

Ingredients

1 lb sliced rice cakes or "garae tteok"
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 lb beef brisket cut into thin, bite-sized pieces
6 garlic cloves minced
10 cups water
1½ tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce
2 green onions thinly sliced diagonally
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Salt to taste
1 sheet toasted seaweed nori, torn into pieces

Egg Garnish ("Jidan")

2 eggs
Pinch of sea salt
1 tsp avocado oil or your favorite cooking oil

Instructions

Soak rice cakes in water for at least 20 minutes while you make the beef broth.
Heat sesame oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add brisket and garlic, and cook stirring until the meat is mostly browned, about 3-4 minutes.
Add in water and let it come to a boil. Lower the heat to simmer, cover, then cook for 25 minutes, or until the meat is tender. You can skim off the foam that rises to the top. Make the egg garnish in the next step while the meat cooks.
To make the egg garnish, whisk the eggs together and season with salt. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, then pour the eggs in a thin, single layer. Cook for 1 minute, flip, then cook for another minute. Remove from heat, slice into thin strips, and set aside.
Once the meat is tender in the broth, drain the rice cakes and add to the broth with ground black pepper and fish sauce. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until the rice cakes are soft. Taste to add salt, if needed.
Remove from heat and serve hot in bowls. Garnish with beef, egg strips, green onions, and nori pieces.

Video

Notes

Serving Tips

Serve hot in bowls. Garnish with beef, egg strips, green onions, and nori pieces.

Storage Tips

Leftovers don't keep well because the rice cakes get thick and mushy during storage. If you aren't planning to finish the soup, add just enough rice cakes that you can eat in one sitting and save the rest for the next time you want to enjoy it.

Nutrition