Ddeok Gook Korean New Year Rice Cake Soup
Celebrate the Korean New Year with a steaming bowl of Ddeok Gook, a traditional rice cake soup that symbolizes renewal and prosperity. This comforting dish features tender slices of rice cakes (ddeok) swimming in a savory beef-based broth infused with the rich flavors of garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Topped with vibrant strips of egg, crispy roasted gim (seaweed), and fresh green onion, this visually stunning soup is as flavorful as it is symbolic. With its delicate balance of chewy rice cakes and deeply umami-forward broth, Ddeok Gook offers a soul-warming experience perfect for ringing in the Lunar New Year with family or friends. Quick to prepare and brimming with tradition, this recipe is a must-try for food lovers seeking a taste of Korean culture.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams sliced rice cakes (ddeok)
- 200 grams beef brisket or stew meat, thinly sliced
- 8 cups water
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 whole egg
- 2 stalks green onion, thinly sliced
- 1 sheet gim (seaweed), roasted and shredded
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
1. Soak the sliced rice cakes in cold water for 20-30 minutes if they are hardened or frozen. Drain before use.
2. To make the broth, bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the beef slices and cook for 5-7 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
3. Reduce to a gentle simmer. Add minced garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the pot. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. While the broth simmers, prepare the egg garnish by separating the egg yolk from the white. Beat them lightly in separate bowls. In a non-stick pan, cook the yolk and white separately into thin, flat sheets. Let them cool, then slice them into thin strips for topping.
5. Add the soaked rice cakes to the broth. Increase the heat slightly and cook until the rice cakes turn soft and start to float, around 3-4 minutes.
6. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
7. Ladle the soup into individual bowls. Garnish with shredded gim, sliced egg strips, and a sprig of green onion for flavor and presentation.
8. Serve hot and enjoy this symbolic dish that celebrates new beginnings and prosperity!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1158 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 63.1 g | 81% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.2 g | 101% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 336 mg | 112% | |
| Sodium | 4025 mg | 175% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 94.9 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.0 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.6 g | ||
| Protein | 53.6 g | 107% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 222 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 7.4 mg | 41% | |
| Potassium | 965 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
