Korean Rice Cake Soup (Tteokguk): A New Year Soup Filled with Tradition and Meaning

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In Korea, Lunar New Year, known as Seollal, is a special time for families to gather, share traditional foods, and welcome a new year together. One of the most familiar dishes served on this occasion is tteokguk, a Korean soup made with thinly sliced rice cakes. At first glance, tteokguk may look like a simple bowl of soup. Yet its white rice cakes, traditional preparation, and place at the New Year's table reflect wishes for a fresh beginning, a long life, prosperity, and family togetherness. For many Koreans, eating tteokguk on Seollal is also associated with becoming one year older. For me, tteokguk brings back memories of my mother preparing rice cakes before the holiday and our family gathering around the table on New Year's morning. Looking back, I realize that this familiar food was part of a much larger tradition connecting food, family, and the hopes people carried into a new year. Preparing Rice Cakes Before Lunar New Year When I was growing up in Korea, Lunar New Yea...

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