"Ddukkook", Korea's Rice Cake Soup

The first food of the New Year Day which means pure and long life

 

"Ddukkook"

Have you tried "Ddukkook" which is more delicious in the cold winter?

On New Year's Day in Korea, the "Ddukkook", Korea's Rice Cake Soup, is served instead of boiled rice, when we have a ritual to our ancestors. After the ritual, we bow to our parents and adults. It is widely taken among Koreans that we get old by one more year by eating a bowl of rice cake soup on New Year's Day. During Chosun dynasty, on the morning of the New Year's Day, almost all Koreans, ranging from the royal family to the common people, ate this same food,

The reason why Koreans eat "Ddukkook" on the first day of the New Year is not mentioned in the documents, but I think it can purify our body and soul  for longevity.

 

In the New Year, the food that is served to visitors to come to bow is called as "Sechan", New Year Day Food, and Nabak Kimchi, Sikhye ( fermented rice drink), rice cakes, fruit, etc. are served.

 

To make "Ddukkook",  we leave soft long rice cakes for one night to get them hard properly and slice them to flat pieces.

 

Slicing Rice Cake

Delicious broth is necessary to make rice cake soup. Cow's bones, brisket, and beef meat are boiled for a long time to make it. After boiling, the brisket is picked, thinly sliced ​​or minced, seasoned to be put on the soup seperately.

 

The way of making "Ddukkook" is a little bit different depending on the house or the locality, but usually when the rice cake is put into broth and ripened, eggs are added. Then, it is put in a bowl and sliced eggs and torn briskets are put on it as decoration. It is more delicious to eat it while hot.

 

"Ddukmandookook"

Nowadays, we make "Ddukmandookook" with rice cake and dumplings as well. This food may be originated from the custom of people from the northern part of Korea.