"Sweet Heriatge: Best Traditional Korean Rice Cake Shops in Seoul

Nak Won Tteok Jip (낙원떡집)

The historic 'Nak Won Tteok Jip' in Seoul began in the early 1910s (around 1912) and boasts over 100 years of history.

Its founder who learned the secret recipe from a royal lady-in-waiting at Chang-deok-gung Palace, first opened the shop in Nakwon Market in 1919, showcasing royal court rice cakes and building its reputation.

It maintains such a long tradition and popularity that it is now designated as a Seoul Future Heritage site. 

Jong Ro Rice Cake (종로떡집)

The history of Jonro Rice Cake Shop is deeply intertwined not with one single establishment but with the long-standing alleyways of Jonro's rice cake shops, particularly the Nakwon-dong Rice Cake Alleys. These traditional rice cake shops (e.g., Nakwon Rice Cake Shop, Jongro Rice Cake Shop, etc.), which began as a means of livelihood after the war in the 1950s and 60s and have been passed down from mother to daughter, are an important cultural heritage embodying the lives and traditions of the common people that developed alongside Seoul's history. Some began by inheriting royal court rice cake techniques, while others continue today imbued with the sticky, unbreakable bonds of family love and the belief that rice cakes ward off misfortune.

BiWon (비원 떡집)

Biwon Rice Cake Shop was founded in 1949 by grandmother Hong Gan-nan who received the secret recipes from the last holder of royal court cuisine skills during the Joseon Dynasty.

It is a time-honored royal court rice cake shop now in its third generation. For over 70 years , it has maintained its traditional methods, using 100% handmade techniques and premium ingredients. Its historical value is recognized, earning it designation as a 'Long-standing Store' and  a 'Seoul Future Heritage'. 

Dosuhyang (도수향 떡집)

Dosuhyang is a rice cake shop where a young Italian-trained chef has modernly reinterpreted North Korean-style In-jeol-mi (인절미). Unlike traditional rice cake shops, its exterior exudes a  sophisticated atmosphere. Its signature filling combines peeled red beans and mung beans instead of sweet red bean paste, offering a savory and naturally sweet flavor. Beyond being a simple rice cake, it's popular as a gift item, known for its pretty packaging. It's recognized as a popular spot for North Korean-style In-jeol-mi, beloved by the young generation.

Dong Byung Sang Ryun (동병상련 떡집)

Dong Byung Sang Ryun is a traditional rice cake specialty brand led by CEO Park Kyung-mi, a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Certification for Joseon Dynasty royal court cuisine.

Operating since 1999, its name embodies the meaning 'altogether always cherish' rice cakes.

It is a rice cake shop with history and depth, reinterpreting the history and tradition of Joseon Dynasty royal court cuisine with modern sophistication to present royal court rice cake and premium desserts.

Ga Rye Won (가례원)

'Ga Rye Won' is a 41- year-old traditional rice cake shop located in Sin-chon, Seoul.

It was featured on programs like "Masters of Life" (생활의 달인) and "Vivid Information" (생생정보).

It is especially renowned for its glutinous rice cakes. The shop carefully crafts and sells a variety of rice cakes using high-quality ingredients, including event-specific rice cakes (e.g., gift, thank-you, and 100-day, etc.).

Myeong Ga Tteok Jip (명가떡집)

'Myeong Ga Tteok Jip' is a renowned rice cake shop in Seoul with over 30 years of tradition, it uses premium ingredients (rice, mugwort, sun-dried salt, etc.) to meticulously craft various rice cakes (Injeolmi, Mugwort Rice Cake, Yaksik, Baekseolgi, etc.). It is particularly renowned for gift sets and event-specific rice cakes, and offers online ordering and nationwide delivery. 

Gu Reum Tteok (구름떡)

"Gu Reum Tteok" has evolved from a traditional rice cake shop operating for more than 15 years into a rice cake cafe, becoming famous for its Black Sesame Injeolmi (흑임자 인절미)  and signature 'Gu Reum Tteok' (구름떡). 

It has established itself as a beloved local rice cake shop by introducing modern-style rice cakes like 'Jeju Omegi Tteok' (제주 오메기떡), 'Doo-teop Tteok' (두텁떡), and 'Gung-jung Tteok' (궁중떡). 

They also offer fusion menus like sticky rice waffles served with rice cakes and jam. 

60-Year-Old Jeon-tong-tteok-jip (60년 전통 떡집)

The shop is representative traditional rice cake shop in Gwang-jang Market. Its chewy glutinous rice cakes are extremely famous and so popular that they often sell out early, requiring you to arrive right when they open.

It is said that the rice cakes taste even better after thawing naturally. It is a place where you can enjoy the shop's 'Tchap-ssal-tteok' (찹쌀떡) or 'Tchap-ssal-kkwa-bae-gi' ( 찹쌀꽈배기) alongside 'Tteok-bok-ki '(떡볶이).

Gyeong Gi Tteok Jip (경기떡집)

'Gyeong Gi Tteok Jip' was founded by Choi Gil-seon who began working at a milling factory at age 17 and gained experience making rice cakes. 

Run by the family and it is renowned for the expertise of its family members-including a son who is a Mensa member and another son who is the youngest rice cake master-and signature menus like 'ET Tteok' (이티떡). 

This goes beyond simple being a shop selling rice cakes; it represents a family of master rice cake makers passing down their expertise and stands as a successful case study in family management.