Korean New Year's Day Traditions: Tteokguk and More
In Korea, January 1st is a day filled with cultural significance and meaningful traditions. Among these, the symbolic bowl of tteokguk (rice cake soup) and the practices surrounding New Year’s Eve and Day make the holiday uniquely Korean. This blog will explore these customs in detail, including the preparation of tteokguk and the various ways Koreans welcome the new year. 1. Tteokguk: The Symbolic Rice Cake Soup Tteokguk is a must-have dish on New Year’s Day in Korea. It’s not just a hearty, warm soup but also a dish deeply embedded with symbolism and cultural meaning. 1.1 Symbolism of Tteokguk Growing a Year Older: In Korea, eating a bowl of tteokguk on January 1st symbolizes growing one year older. This is often a playful tradition where people joke, “Have you eaten your tteokguk yet?” to signify their age in the new year. Purity and Longevity: The white broth represents purity, while the oval-shaped slices of rice cake symbolize longevity and wealth. 1.2 How Tteokguk is Made T...