How to make delicious and flavorful Korean rice cake soup (tteokguk) with tteokbokki

How to make Tteokbokki Rice Cake Soup (Tteokguk)

• 1

  Soak the rice cakes

  Korean sliced rice cakes after purchase, open the bag. Put all the rice cakes into a bowl, soak them in water for about 10 – 15 minutes until soft.

  Tip:

  • If you can’t find sliced rice cakes, you can use whole rice cakes as a substitute.
  • If using whole rice cakes, after purchasing, place the rice cakes in the cool compartment of the refrigerator for about 2 – 3 hours, then take them out and slice them more easily.

  

  
• 2

  Prepare the ingredients

  Peel and wash fresh ginger. Divide the ginger into 2 parts, one part sliced and the other part crushed.

  Peel the onion, wash it clean and cut into wedges. Peel and wash the garlic.

  Remove the roots from the scallions, wash them clean and let them drain. Cut the scallion bulbs into sections and chop the green parts finely.

  Open the package of dried seaweed and cut it into strips.

  Wash the beef, then use the crushed ginger to rub on the beef, and then rinse it clean with water.

  How to clean beef properly without odor

  Besides using crushed ginger to eliminate the odor of beef, you can also refer to the following methods to prepare beef correctly:

  • Method 1: Soak the piece of beef in white wine for about 15 minutes, then rinse it under cold water.
  • Method 2: Boil a pot of cold water, then blanch the beef for about 3 minutes, remove and rinse with cold water.
  • Method 3: Wash the beef with diluted salt water, then rinse with cold water and let it drain.

  

  

  

  
• 3

  Boil the beef

  Put the cleaned beef, 1.5 liters of water along with garlic, sliced green onions, ginger, and chopped onion into the pot. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, turn the heat to high, and boil until the water in the pot is fully boiling.

  Boil for another 5 minutes until the beef is cooked, then turn off the heat and remove the beef to a bowl.

  Tip:

  • To keep the broth clear and delicious, remember to skim off the foam while boiling.
  • Depending on the thickness of the meat, adjust the boiling time to avoid tough beef, which is not tasty.

  

  

  

  
• 4

  Slice beef and fry eggs

  After the beef has cooled, slice it into thin, long pieces that are easy to eat and place them in a bowl. Marinate the beef with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and mix well to let the meat absorb the spices.

  Tip: Depending on your family’s taste, you can adjust the spices used to marinate the beef to your liking.

  Separate the egg yolks and egg whites into 2 bowls and beat well.

  Next, fry the egg yolks until cooked, then remove and cut into thin strips that are easy to eat.

  

  

  

  
• 5

  Cook the soup and finish

  You turn the stove back on, boil the water for the beef until it boils, skim off the foam and add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce along with the soaked rice cakes into the pot.

  Simmer over medium heat for about 8 – 10 minutes, until the cakes are cooked, then slowly add the beaten egg whites on top into the pot, continue to simmer for another 2 minutes, then season the spices to taste and turn off the stove.

  Tip:

  • To prevent the cakes from becoming too soft and mushy, do not cook for too long.
  • To prevent the egg whites from clumping and settling at the bottom of the pot, when adding them, pour slowly and continuously stir well.

  Finally, scoop the rice cake soup into a bowl, sprinkle with chopped green onion, place a few slices of beef, egg, and shredded dried seaweed, a few slices of red chili, and a little ground pepper, and you can enjoy it right away.

  

  

  

  
• 6

  Final Product

  The tteokbokki rice cake soup (tteokguk) after completion has an eye-catching color and an enticing aroma. The beef is tender and sweet, marinated to perfection, blending with the light sweet broth and chewy rice cakes, interspersed with a hint of spiciness from the chili and pepper.

  Enjoy it right when the tteokguk is still hot in the cool weather, turn on the television and watch your favorite movie; it couldn’t be better. Show off your cooking skills right away!