What is Garae-Tteok (Rice Cake Logs) ?
Garae-tteok is a type of tteok(rice cake) that is made by steaming regular non-glutinous rice and then repeatedly pounding to make a sticky dough. It is then rolled until smooth. Then either rolling it by hand or extruding it with a machine to produce cylindrical bars. No sugar is added but only salt.
"Garae 가래" refers to round ceiling beams. These are different from other tteoks which are mostly sweet and are eaten as snacks. While they can be made at home, it is not easy to get the same chewy texture are commercial ones. So it's best to purchase pre-made ones from the store which can come fresh, refrigerated or frozen.
Not To Be Confused With
Tteokbokki Tteok 떡뽁이떡 - which are similar in shape but much thinner batons.
Where and What To Buy
Korean or Asian Grocery store - in the freezer section if there are no local tteok maker because Garae-Tteok is only good for few days and need to be frozen for longer storage.
How to Use/Cook
Fresh Garae-Tteok can be eaten straight as a snack by dipping it in honey, sugar or soy sauce. Garaettoek can also be roasted and enjoyed that way. To make the thin ovalettes for Tteokguk Tteok 떡국떡, it needs to be partly dried and then sliced thinly and added to broth to make the wonderful New Year Rice Cake Soup.
In a pinch, you can make Tteokbokki with Garae-Tteok - by using the tteokguk tteok style ovalettes or by slicing the cylinders into quarters.
How to Clean/Store
Freshly made Garae-Tteok can keep at cool room temp for a day or so but after that they should either be refrigerated or frozen for best freshness.
Nutrition/Health Info
- high in carbohydrates
- low in sodium
