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🌿 Grandma’s Daily Table[Gamja-tteok (감자떡)]: The Chewy Korean Potato Rice Cake You Must Try 본문

K-Food & Recipes 🍲

🌿 Grandma’s Daily Table[Gamja-tteok (감자떡)]: The Chewy Korean Potato Rice Cake You Must Try

KoreanHalmeoni 2025. 9. 9. 23:53

Gamja-tteok (감자떡) is a traditional Korean potato rice cake with a soft, chewy texture and smooth white bean paste filling. Discover how it’s made, its health benefits, calories, and why this unique Korean snack deserves your attention.


What Is Gamja-tteok?

When people think of Korean snacks, they often imagine tteokbokki, hotteok, or bingsu. But hidden in the Korean countryside is a lesser-known gem: Gamja-tteok (감자떡), a potato-based rice cake.

Gamja-tteok is made from grated potatoes and potato starch, filled with smooth white bean paste (흰팥 앙금), and steamed into soft, chewy cakes. It is simple, earthy, and deeply comforting — a true taste of rural Korea.

“Soft and chewy Gamja-tteok filled with smooth white bean paste 🍠”


🍠 Gamja-tteok at a Glance

  • Main ingredients: Potatoes (starch) + white bean paste filling
  • Simple process:
    1. Potatoes are grated and starch is extracted.
    2. Potato starch is kneaded into dough.
    3. Dough is filled with sweet white bean paste.
    4. Steamed until soft and chewy.

👉 That’s all — a humble process that creates this comforting Korean snack.

“Fresh potatoes from the countryside — the beginning of Gamja-tteok 🌱”


Why You Should Try Gamja-tteok

  • Texture: The chewy bite is unlike any Western pastry — soft, stretchy, and satisfying.
  • Filling: White bean paste provides a mild sweetness, balancing the potato flavor.
  • Tradition: This rice cake connects you to Korea’s rural food culture, often enjoyed after potato harvests.

💡 If you visit Korea, don’t miss the chance to try Gamja-tteok. Its chewy texture is unforgettable.


Health Benefits

Gamja-tteok isn’t just tasty — it’s also lighter than many desserts.

  • Rich in fiber → good for digestion
  • Contains potassium → supports heart health
  • Lower in fat than fried or creamy sweets
  • One piece (50g) ≈ 90–100 kcal → 2–3 pieces make a perfect snack

Grandma’s Recommendation 💛

I have eaten Gamja-tteok since I was a little girl, and even now, in my seventies, I keep some in my freezer. Whenever I need comfort, I steam a few pieces and enjoy them with tea.

“Frozen Gamja-tteok, ready to steam anytime ❄️”

✨ Gamja-tteok may not be as famous as tteokbokki or hotteok, but once you taste its chewy texture, you’ll understand why it has stayed in Korean homes for generations.

So, if you ever come across this humble potato rice cake — please, give it a try.

“Grandma’s tea time with chewy Gamja-tteok and green tea 🍵”