At a Korean rice cake shop, two filled tteok often sit side by side: small round kkultteok (꿀떡, also spelled ggultteok) and half-moon songpyeon (송편). They look related, and they are — both are rice dough wrapped around a sweet filling. But if you have wondered about kkultteok vs. songpyeon, the differences come down to shape, filling, texture and the moments Koreans eat them. Here is a side-by-side look.
Two filled rice cakes, two traditions
Songpyeon is the rice cake most closely tied to Chuseok, the Korean harvest holiday. Families traditionally sit together to shape the dough by hand into half-moons, fill them, and steam them on a bed of pine needles, which gives the cakes a light pine scent. (The "song" in songpyeon refers to the pine tree.)
Kkultteok is an everyday treat. The name means "honey rice cake," and it is made as small balls that hold a sweet filling which turns syrupy when steamed. You will find it in tteok shops all year, often served with tea or coffee.
Kkultteok vs. songpyeon side by side
- Shape: songpyeon is a half-moon or shell shape, a bit bigger than a bite. Kkultteok is a small round ball, one bite each.
- Filling: songpyeon fillings vary — sweetened sesame, soybean powder, beans or chestnut are common. Kkultteok is known for a sweet center that becomes runny and syrupy.
- Texture: songpyeon usually has a slightly thicker, chewier wall. Kkultteok is soft with a burst of sweetness in the middle.
- Color: both come in pastel colors. Five-color songpyeon often uses mugwort, pumpkin and purple sweet potato for green, yellow and purple.
- Occasion: songpyeon for Chuseok, ancestral rites and family gatherings; kkultteok for any day, gifts and snack plates.
Songpyeon and kkultteok at Premium K
[Janong] Five-Color Songpyeon (320g)
Made with Korean-grown rice and colored with mugwort, pumpkin, black rice and purple sweet potato. Each piece is filled with a sweet, nutty mix of soybean powder and roasted sesame seeds. Janong's patented process helps the rice cakes stay soft after thawing, so no steaming is needed. See Five-Color Songpyeon 320g.
[Janong] Five-Color Songpyeon (1kg)
The larger pack for family gatherings: songpyeon made with Korean rice flour, flavored with pumpkin, mugwort and purple sweet potato, with a sweet roasted sesame filling. Thaw at room temperature for 1–2 hours and serve. See Five-Color Songpyeon 1kg.
[Janong] Honey Rice Cakes (320g)
Janong's kkultteok — soft glutinous rice cakes with a sweet honey filling, made with the same anti-hardening process, ready to eat after natural thawing. Try them next to the songpyeon to taste the difference. See Janong Honey Rice Cakes.
How to serve frozen songpyeon and kkultteok
- Take out only as many pieces as you plan to eat; keep the rest sealed in the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below.
- Let them thaw at room temperature on a plate. Small kkultteok thaw faster than songpyeon, so check the time on each package.
- Serve with green tea, barley tea or coffee. For Chuseok or a family table, arrange songpyeon and kkultteok together on one platter with fruit.
- Eat them the same day they are thawed for the softest texture.
Related: What Is Kkultteok (Ggultteok)? Korean Honey Rice Cake Guide
Where to buy songpyeon and kkultteok in the U.S.
Both are in our freezer section at the LA Koreatown store — 3506 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005 (Mon–Sat, 10 AM–6:30 PM). You can also order online:
- LA Koreatown: free same-day delivery on orders of $49 or more
- California: free shipping on orders of $99 or more
- Mainland U.S.: free shipping on orders of $149 or more
- Frozen rice cakes ship every Monday and Tuesday (PT). Shelf-stable items ship right after you order.
FAQ
Is kkultteok the same as songpyeon?
No. Both are filled rice cakes, but kkultteok is a small round ball with a syrupy center, while songpyeon is half-moon shaped and is the traditional Chuseok rice cake.
Why is songpyeon steamed with pine needles?
Traditionally, songpyeon is steamed on a layer of pine needles, which keeps the cakes from sticking and adds a light pine aroma. That is where the "song" (pine) in its name comes from.
What is inside songpyeon?
Common fillings are sweetened sesame seeds, soybean powder, beans or chestnut. Janong's five-color songpyeon uses soybean powder and roasted sesame seeds.
Can I eat frozen songpyeon without steaming?
Some frozen songpyeon must be steamed, but the Janong songpyeon we carry is made to be eaten after thawing at room temperature.