Guide to Seoul’s top 5 rice cake spots

People share their experience of eating "tteok" (Korean rice cake) on Instagram. Captured from Instagram

For Koreans, “tteok” (rice cakes) are more than a snack — they’re edible markers of life’s most meaningful moments.

From the milky-white “tteokguk” (rice cake soup) served on New Year’s Day to symbolize long life, to the half-moon “songpyeon” shared during the harvest festival of Chuseok as a wish for good fortune, these simple rice confections for long sat at the heart of Korean celebration and memory.

Once seen as an “acquired flavor” in Western markets for its distinct chewiness and elasticity, tteok is now winning fans across North America and Europe — propelled by the unstoppable rise of the K-wave.

American TikToker Carson Allen /Captured from TikTok

Last month, Seoul-based American TikToker Carson Allen posted a “mukbang (eating broadcast) feast” video featuring Korean rice cakes. Sampling everything from airy “sul-tteok,” rice cakes made with fermented rice wine, to rich, cream-filled modern takes, her clip drew 134,000 likes and hundreds of intrigued comments. Around the same time, a viral video of Korean-American creator Elizabeth biting into “kkul-tteok,” honey-filled rice cakes racked up 1.24 million views, with fans pleading to know where they could get their hands on the same chewy delights.

The online buzz is translating into record-breaking sales. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, exports of processed rice products — led by tteok — reached $69.3 million in the first quarter of this year, up 9.4 percent from a year earlier. In the United States alone, exports climbed 7.8 percent to $38.4 million, setting a new record.

Top 5 must-visit tteok hotspots in Seoul

In Seoul, the tteok scene is adapting to global demand, blending centuries-old craftsmanship with a sleek, modern appeal. From “chocolate seolgi” to rabbit-shaped baram-tteok, these are the top five rice cake destinations now trending across social media.

Gyeonggi Tteokjip in Mapo District

"ET tteok" from Gyeonggi Tteokjip / Captured from the store's website

Run by four sons who inherited the craft of master rice cake artisan Choi Gil-seon, this shop has become a hotspot in Mangwon-dong.

The shop's signature item is “ET tteok,” a North Korean-style rice cake with coarse white bean paste on the outside — rather than inside. Its slightly rugged shape resembles the alien “E.T.,” which inspired its name.

The harmonious blend of traditional chewy chapssaltteok texture and smooth white bean filling makes it a favorite among all ages.

Gongju Tteokjip in Gangnam District

Black sesame injeolmi from Apgujeong Gongju Tteokjip / Captured from Instagram

Apgujeong Gongju Tteokjip has earned its reputation as a Seoul landmark through its legendary black sesame “injeolmi,” a variety of tteok coated with roasted soybean powder.

But unlike the standard injeolmi, this shop's version is virtually submerged in a deep, velvety bed of finely ground, intensely toasted black sesame seeds, creating a striking “charcoal-block” appearance.

This shop is a staple for those seeking authentic, deep flavors, but its signature tteok's deep, nutty aroma may not appeal to everyone.

Siroo Cake in Mapo District

Rice cakes from Siroo Cake / Captured from Instagram

Siroo Cake serves rice cakes shaped and sliced like Western cakes. “Seolgi” is a distinctively light, fluffy and cake-like textured tteok.

Popular picks include the pumpkin crumble seolgi cake with cream cheese, the black sesame roll tteok and the blueberry seolgi cake.

Thanks to their eye-catching presentation — often prompting reactions like “Is this really tteok?” — the shop has become a popular photo spot for foreign visitors.

Dosuhyang in Gangnam District

North Korean-style injeolmi from Dosuhyang / Captured from @fleur_de_pecher's Instagram

Dosuhyang is famous for its North Korean-style injeolmi.

What sets it apart is its coating of hand-mashed, dehulled white azuki beans, which lends a creamy ivory color and an understated sweetness.

Each piece is hand-shaped, often showing the maker's faint fingerprints and produced using a traditional stone-mortar technique for a uniquely superior, chewy texture.

Jeongae Matdam in Dongjak District

"Ang Butter Tteok" from Jeongae Matdam / Captured from Instagram

Located in the heart of Namseong Market, Jeongae Matdam has transitioned from a local neighborhood staple into a nationwide social media sensation by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetic.

The shop is most famous for its “Ang Butter Tteok,” a signature pounded rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and butter that has earned a loyal following for its perfect balance of chewiness and sweetness.

The shop attracts a younger generation of “rice cake pilgrims” who flock to the market for its photogenic treats, including its vibrant pumpkin injeolmi coated in fluffy castella crumbs.