New Year’s Day Tteokguk: A Heartwarming Rice Cake Soup
New Year’s Day Tteokguk: A Heartwarming Rice Cake Soup
Happy New Year! Ring in the new year with a comforting bowl of Tteokguk.
Wishing you a Happy New Year with a delicious bowl of Tteokguk! This traditional Korean rice cake soup, made with a rich beef broth, is a perfect and heartwarming dish to share with your loved ones on the first day of the year.
Main Ingredients- Tteokguk rice cakes (for 2 servings, approx. 300-400g)
- Beef brisket (for broth and garnish) 150g
- Egg garnish (thin omelets, yellow and white) a little
- Green onion 1/4 stalk
- Seaweed flakes (Gim) a little
Beef Garnish Seasoning- Minced garlic 1/2 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1/2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce for soup 1/2 tsp (optional)
- Salt 2 pinches
- Black pepper a little
Tteokguk Broth Seasoning- Fish sauce (tuna extract) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce for soup 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1/2 Tbsp
- Salt (for final taste adjustment) a little
- Minced garlic 1/2 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1/2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce for soup 1/2 tsp (optional)
- Salt 2 pinches
- Black pepper a little
Tteokguk Broth Seasoning- Fish sauce (tuna extract) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce for soup 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1/2 Tbsp
- Salt (for final taste adjustment) a little
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For an authentic Tteokguk flavor, it’s best to use a good cut of beef like brisket for the broth. Today, we’re preparing beef brisket for both the broth and for garnishing. For the garnish, slice the brisket thinly so it’s enjoyable to chew.
Step 2
Now, let’s season the thinly sliced brisket for the garnish. Combine it with 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, 2 pinches of salt, and a little black pepper. Gently mix and knead it with your hands and let it marinate for a bit.
Step 3
Shall we prepare the beautiful garnishes for the Tteokguk? For the egg garnish, separate the yolks and whites, make thin omelets, and then slice them into diamond or thin strip shapes. Chop the green onion finely. Prepare the seaweed flakes as well.
Step 4
We have 2 servings of Tteokguk rice cakes ready. To prevent them from sticking together, rinse them lightly in cold water and drain well. Avoid soaking them for too long, as they can become mushy; it’s best to rinse them just before cooking.
Step 5
It’s time to simmer the broth for the Tteokguk’s rich flavor. In a pot, add plenty of water and the prepared brisket (for broth). Bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently to extract the delicious beef flavor. Once the brisket is tender, remove it and shred or slice it for garnish.
Step 6
After the broth has been sufficiently extracted, pour it (or fresh water) back into the pot and bring it to a boil. Once the soup starts boiling, add the marinated brisket and the Tteokguk rice cakes. As the rice cakes cook, the broth might become cloudy, so stir occasionally. Cook until the rice cakes are soft and float to the surface. Then, add the Tteokguk broth seasonings: 1 Tbsp fish sauce (tuna extract), 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup, and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic to season.
Step 7
When the rice cakes are cooked and floating, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. Turn off the heat, ladle the Tteokguk generously into bowls, and top with the prepared egg omelets, sliced green onions, and seaweed flakes for a beautiful presentation. Wishing you a year filled with health and happiness!
