Heartwarming Chewy Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup (Tteok-Mandu-Guk)
How to Make Delicious Tteok-Mandu-Guk, a Beloved Korean Holiday Dish
A quintessential Korean dish for Lunar New Year! This Tteok-Mandu-Guk, made with chewy rice cakes, flavorful dumplings, and a rich beef broth, is a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion. Its deep, savory taste will delight everyone from young to old.
Broth & Garnish Ingredients- 200g beef (for soup), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 handfuls of gara tteok (rice cakes for soup, approx. 200g)
- 12 dumplings
- 1 egg
- 1/2 stalk of green onion
Seasoning Ingredients- 200ml water (for adjusting broth consistency)
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (ganjang)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 200ml water (for adjusting broth consistency)
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (ganjang)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the rich beef broth that forms the base of our Tteok-Mandu-Guk. In a pot, combine 1.5 liters of cold water (or rice water) with 200g of beef for soup. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 20-30 minutes, skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface. Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly. Shred or cut the beef into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). In a small bowl, gently mix the shredded beef with 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, and 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil. Let it marinate briefly. This seasoned beef will add extra depth of flavor to your soup.
Step 2
Add the marinated beef, soaked rice cakes for soup, and dumplings to the prepared beef broth. Bring the soup to a boil and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the rice cakes are tender and the dumplings float to the surface. Once the rice cakes and dumplings are fully cooked, add the chopped green onion and simmer for another minute. Finally, season the soup with salt to taste. A pinch of black pepper can be added for an extra kick. If the soup isn’t savory enough, you can add a little more soup soy sauce.
Step 3
Ladle the hot Tteok-Mandu-Guk into deep bowls. For a beautiful presentation, garnish with thinly sliced egg garnish (made by pan-frying separate egg yolks and whites and then julienning them). This will make your Tteok-Mandu-Guk even more appealing. You can also add shredded dried seaweed (gim) or finely chopped chili peppers for a different flavor profile.
