Korean Food Guide
떡국
tteokguk · Rice cake soup
Spice — Not spicy
What it is
Sliced rice cakes in clear beef broth, topped with egg and seaweed — eaten on Lunar New Year morning.
Main ingredients
Rice cake slices, beef broth, egg, seaweed, green onion.
How to order
떡만둣국으로 하나 주세요.tteongmandutgugeuro hana juseyo.One rice cake soup with dumplings, please.
First time?
Eating a bowl on Seollal means you're one year older. With dumplings added, it's tteok-manduguk.
Spice levels are tinyhaha's own rough judgment; restaurants vary.
Frequently asked questions
What is tteokguk (떡국)?
Tteokguk (떡국, Rice cake soup) is sliced rice cakes in clear beef broth, topped with egg and seaweed — eaten on Lunar New Year morning.
Is tteokguk spicy?
On tinyhaha's 0–4 scale tteokguk is a 0: Not spicy. Heat varies by restaurant.
What is in tteokguk?
The main ingredients of tteokguk are: Rice cake slices, beef broth, egg, seaweed, green onion.
How do you order tteokguk in Korean?
Say “떡만둣국으로 하나 주세요.” (tteongmandutgugeuro hana juseyo.) — it means “One rice cake soup with dumplings, please.”
Any tips for eating tteokguk the first time?
Eating a bowl on Seollal means you're one year older. With dumplings added, it's tteok-manduguk.