Lunar New Year rice cake soup: origin and meaming

Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in Korea.
Families gather together to celebrate the new year, exchange greetings, and enjoy traditional foods.

Among these foods, tteokguk, a rice cake soup, holds a special place.
More than just a dish, tteokguk is a symbolic food that embodies Korean culture and sentiment. Made with thinly sliced rice cakes, tteokguk is associated with the tradition of adding a year to one's age on Seollal and symbolizes wishes for a long and prosperous life. This article will explore the origins, history, preparation methods, and cultural significance of tteokguk.

1. Origins and History of Tteokguk

The origins of tteokguk can be traced back to *eumbog*, a ritual food consumed during New Year's ancestral rites in ancient Korea.
Eumbog involved families sharing food after the ritual to pray for blessings, which laid the foundation for Seollal tteokguk.
According to *Dongguk Sesigi* and *Yeolyang Sesigi*, historical records from the Joseon Dynasty, tteokguk was an indispensable part of the Seollal ancestral rite offerings and festive meals, and was referred to as "baektang" or "byeongtang".

 

 
The belief that eating tteokguk adds a year to one's age also emerged during the Joseon Dynasty.
This is reflected in the nickname "cheomsebyeong," meaning "adding an age rice cake," and there are records of people asking children their age by inquiring about the number of bowls of tteokguk they had consumed.
Additionally, the long rice cakes symbolize longevity, while the coin-shaped slices represent wishes for wealth and abundance.

2. How to Make Tteokguk

The basic ingredients of tteokguk are thinly sliced white rice cakes and clear broth.
The broth is typically made by simmering beef or chicken bones, and in the past, pheasant was also used.
The saying "꿩 대신 닭" (literally, "chicken instead of pheasant") originated from the practice of substituting chicken for pheasant when the latter was scarce. 

Traditional Tteokguk Recipe

1. Prepare ingredients: Thinly slice rice cakes and soak them in water.
2. Make broth: Sauté beef or chicken in sesame oil and add water to boil.
3. Add rice cakes: Once the broth boils, add the soaked rice cakes and cook until tender.
4. Season: Season with soy sauce and salt, and add minced garlic.
5. Garnish: Top with egg strips, seaweed flakes, and chopped green onions. 

Regional Variations

• Gaegyeong Jorang-tteokguk: Features unique chewy texture with jorang-tteok, rice cakes shaped like silkworms .
• Chungcheongdo Raw-Rice-tteokguk: Made with freshly made rice cakes.
• Jeollado Chicken-soup-Tteokguk: Broth is made with chicken braised in soy sauce.  
• Gyeongnam Oyster-tteokguk: Features a refreshing flavor with the addition of local oysters. 

3. Cultural Significance of Tteokguk

Tteokguk holds more than just culinary significance.

• New beginnings and purity

 The white rice cakes and clear broth symbolize purity and new beginnings, representing the act of leaving behind the old year and embracing the new .

•  Wishes for a long and prosperous life

 The long rice cakes symbolize longevity, and the coin-shaped slices represent wishes for wealth and abundance. 

• Strengthening family bonds

 The tradition of families gathering to share tteokguk and exchange greetings on Seollal morning reflects the Korean communal spirit.

• Proverbs and cultural heritage

 Proverbs such as "꿩 대신 닭" and "떡국 값이나 해라" (literally, "at least pay for the tteokguk") demonstrate how deeply ingrained tteokguk is in Korean culture. 

 Conclusion

A bowl of Lunar New Year tteokguk holds deep meaning beyond its delicious taste.
It symbolizes new beginnings, wishes for a long and prosperous life, and the importance of family and community.
While tteokguk is enjoyed throughout the year, there's nothing quite like sharing a bowl of homemade tteokguk with loved ones on Seollal morning.
As you enjoy this traditional dish, take a moment to appreciate the cultural heritage and significance it carries.