Tteok-guk

떡국 Also: Rice Cake Soup, Korean New Year Soup, Tteokguk
Fish: Likely contains restriction
Egg: Likely contains restriction
Soy: Likely contains restriction

A traditional Korean soup of thinly sliced oval rice cakes in a clear beef or anchovy broth, garnished with egg strips, seaweed, and sesame oil. Eaten on New Year's Day for good luck.

Allergen data cross-referenced against published allergen databases.

Your dietary restrictions

The full allergen breakdown is below. Select your restrictions to see a personalized safety status.

Full allergen breakdown

Ingredients

  • oval rice cakes (garaetteok)
  • beef or anchovy broth (Fish)
  • egg (Egg)
  • dried seaweed (gim)
  • sesame oil (Sesame)
  • scallions
  • soy sauce (Soy)

Hidden Ingredients

These ingredients are not typically listed on menus but are present in traditional preparations.

  • anchovy broth base (fish)
  • egg garnish cooked into thin strips
  • sesame oil finishing
  • soy sauce for seasoning
  • rice cakes may be produced in facilities with wheat

Allergen Breakdown

Dairy-Free

Likely OK

No dairy in tteok-guk.

Gluten-Free

Check with staff

Rice cakes are made from rice flour (safe) but soy sauce contains wheat. Ask about broth seasoning.

Peanut-Free

Likely OK

No peanuts in tteok-guk.

Tree Nut-Free

Likely OK

No tree nuts in tteok-guk.

Shellfish-Free

Likely OK

No shellfish in standard tteok-guk.

Egg-Free

Likely contains restriction

Egg strips (gyeran-jidan) are a standard garnish, usually cooked directly into or on top of the soup.

Fish-Free

Likely contains restriction

Anchovy broth (myeolchi yuksu) is the most common base. Beef broth versions exist but verify.

Soy-Free

Likely contains restriction

Soy sauce is used to season the broth.

Sesame-Free

Likely contains restriction

Sesame oil is used as a finishing drizzle.

Vegetarian

Likely contains restriction

Beef or anchovy broth base. Egg garnish. Neither is vegetarian.

Key risk: Tteok-guk appears to be a simple rice cake soup but the clear broth conceals fish allergens (anchovy stock), and the egg garnish is always present. The rice cakes themselves are made from rice flour and are naturally gluten-free, but seasoning with soy sauce adds wheat and soy.

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Important: Dish Scout is a reference guide, not medical advice. Traditional recipes vary by restaurant, region, and chef. Always verify ingredients with restaurant staff before ordering. When in doubt, don't eat it.