Hearty Beef and Rice Cake Soup (Tteok Mandu Guk)
Rich and Flavorful Tteok Mandu Guk: A Delicious Recipe with Plenty of Beef
As the weather turns colder, warm and comforting soups are just what we crave. While rice cake soup (Tteokguk) is traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day, I happened to have some good quality beef at home, so I decided to make a Tteok Mandu Guk with a deep, savory broth. If you’re wondering what to have for dinner tonight, I highly recommend this Tteok Mandu Guk – it’s the perfect dish for these chilly days. It’s a satisfying meal that everyone from kids to adults will love.
Main Ingredients
- Beef (brisket or shank) 300g: For a chewy texture and rich flavor.
- Rice cake for soup (Tteokguk tteok) 500g: Use your preferred thickness or shape.
- Frozen dumplings 4 pcs: Feel free to use your favorite type of dumplings.
- Egg 1 pc: For garnishing.
- Green onion 1/2 stalk: The white part adds aroma to the broth, while the green part is good for decoration.
- Seaweed flakes (Gim) a pinch: Sprinkled on top for added flavor.
Seasoning and Broth Ingredients
- Soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang) 1 Tbsp: Provides the fundamental savory base for the soup.
- Minced garlic 1/2 Tbsp: An essential ingredient in Korean cooking, it enhances the overall aroma.
- Pepper powder a pinch: Adding a touch of pepper according to your preference will give it a slightly spicy kick.
- Soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang) 1 Tbsp: Provides the fundamental savory base for the soup.
- Minced garlic 1/2 Tbsp: An essential ingredient in Korean cooking, it enhances the overall aroma.
- Pepper powder a pinch: Adding a touch of pepper according to your preference will give it a slightly spicy kick.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the rice cakes for soup (tteokguk tteok) thoroughly under running cold water until the water runs clear. Soak them in cold water briefly to prevent them from sticking together. This will help them cook up tender.
Step 2
Soak the beef brisket or shank in cold water for about 30 minutes to remove all the blood. Removing the blood will ensure a clear broth without impurities, resulting in a cleaner taste. Also, trim off any tough excess fat from the meat with a knife.
Step 3
Place the rinsed beef into a pot and add enough water to cover it. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes to create a rich beef broth. Remove the cooked beef from the pot, and add the softened rice cakes.
Step 4
Add the soaked rice cakes to the pot with the beef broth and simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice cakes from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 5
While the rice cakes are cooking, let the boiled beef cool slightly, then shred it along the grain into bite-sized pieces. In a separate bowl, mix the shredded beef with 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, a little sesame oil, and a pinch of sesame seeds. This seasoned beef will be used as a topping.
Step 6
Separate the egg yolk and white into two different bowls. This will help create beautifully distinct colors for the garnish.
Step 7
Pour each separated egg mixture thinly into a lightly oiled, preheated non-stick pan over low heat to make thin omelets. Cook carefully to avoid burning, resulting in soft egg crepes.
Step 8
Once the egg omelets are cooked, let them cool completely, then julienne them finely. These colorful egg strips will make your Tteok Mandu Guk look even more appetizing.
Step 9
When the rice cakes are tender, add the thawed frozen dumplings and cook them together. Once the dumplings are cooked, add the sliced green onions and minced garlic, and season with soup soy sauce. It’s best to start with a lighter seasoning and adjust at the table, especially when serving with kimchi, as it perfectly balances the flavors. It will be truly delicious!
Step 10
Now, let’s beautifully serve the finished Tteok Mandu Guk. Arrange the seasoned shredded beef, a sprinkle of seaweed flakes, and the colorful egg juliennes attractively on top of the soup. On a cold day like this, a warm bowl of Tteok Mandu Guk can truly warm your body and soul. *For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle a little pepper powder to your taste.
