Tteok: Korean New Year's Treat

Rice cakes hold a beloved position in Korean culture. They are used throughout the year to celebrate many important rites of passage. There are about 200 different kinds and there is even a museum dedicated to them. They have been part of the Korean culture for about 2000 years!

On New Year's Day, white garae tteok are commonly  eaten in tteokguk soup. This white tteok has a lot of positive energy or yang, and helps infuse the New Year with yang.

Red scares away ghosts, goblins, and other scary creatures, so it is used on Dongji which is the winter solstice with the longest night of the year. Rainbow colored rice cakes help celebrate a child's first birthday.

 

I am looking forward to experimenting with making these one day soon. I will let you know how it goes!!

For more information about these wonderful treats, visit:  http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=630938

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=288590

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2872340

http://koreanfood-koreanet.blogspot.com/2009/10/would-tteok-or-rice-cake-by-any-other.html