Tteokguk New Year Rice Cake Soup (떡국)
Why this food?
The Korean New Year soup that ages you one year per bowl. Chewy oval rice cakes in savory broth with egg and green onion — simple, clean, and deeply comforting.
🇰🇷 K-Culture Tip
In Korea, eating tteokguk on Seollal (Lunar New Year) literally makes you one year older — children race to eat theirs to 'grow up faster.' The oval rice cake slices (가래떡) are shaped like coins to symbolize prosperity. Eating tteokguk is a philosophical act: you don't simply become older on your birthday — you become older when the community says you do, together, at the table.
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Substitute Ingredients
All available at Walmart
| Original | Substitute |
|---|---|
Oval rice cakes 가래떡 | Sliced Korean rice cakes (oval/coin shaped) Must be oval coin-shaped, not cylinder — found at Asian grocery or Walmart international aisle Shop at Walmart |
Broth 육수 | Beef or chicken broth Swanson Beef broth is more traditional — chicken works great too Shop at Walmart |
Egg 달걀 | Large egg Drizzle beaten egg into boiling soup while stirring — creates silky ribbons Shop at Walmart |
🛒 Can't find it at Walmart? Try a Korean grocery store
Your Shopping List
Walmart edition
- 1 lb Sliced Korean rice cakes (oval/coin shaped)
- 4 cups Beef or chicken broth
- 1 egg Large egg
Instructions
- 1
Soak oval rice cakes in cold water 30 minutes if dried, drain
- 2
Bring 4 cups beef or chicken broth to a boil with 2 minced garlic cloves
- 3
Add drained rice cakes, cook 5-7 minutes until they float and become tender
- 4
Beat 1 egg and drizzle slowly into the boiling soup while stirring — creates egg ribbons
- 5
Season with soy sauce and salt to taste
- 6
Serve topped with thinly sliced green onion and a few drops of sesame oil
