Jeolpyeon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jeolpyeon

Type	Tteok
Place of origin	Korea
Main ingredients	Rice flour

Jeolpyeon (Hangul: 절편) is a special type of Korean tteok, which means "rice cake." It is made from rice flour that comes from a type of rice called non-glutinous Japonica rice.

To make jeolpyeon, the rice flour is first steamed. Then, it is pounded until it becomes a soft dough. This dough is then divided into small pieces. Each piece is pressed with a special tool called a tteoksal. This tool is a stamp that creates beautiful patterns on the rice cake. Tteoksal can be made from wood, ceramic, or even bronze. They often have designs like flowers, letters, or a cartwheel. When jeolpyeon is ready to be eaten, a little sesame oil is brushed over it. This makes it shiny and adds flavor.

Different Kinds of Jeolpyeon

There are several kinds of jeolpyeon, each with its own unique color and flavor.

White Jeolpyeon

The most basic type is white jeolpyeon. It is made by pounding plain steamed rice cake. This gives it a simple, clean taste.

Green Jeolpyeon

Some jeolpyeon are dark green. One popular green type is called ssuk-jeolpyeon (쑥절편). It is made by mixing Korean mugwort into the rice dough. Mugwort is a plant that gives the cake its green color and a distinct earthy taste.

Another dark-green jeolpyeon is surichwi-jeolpyeon (수리취절편). This one uses a plant called deltoid synurus. It is a traditional food served during the Dano festival. Dano is an important Korean holiday celebrated in early summer.

Pink Jeolpyeon

You might also find pink-colored jeolpyeon. This kind is called songgi-jeolpyeon (송기절편). It gets its pink color from the inner bark of the Korean red pine tree. This adds a unique, slightly piney flavor to the rice cake.

Gallery

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  Jeolpyeon and tteoksal (patterned rice-cake stamp)

See also

In Spanish: Jeolpyeon para niños