Kkultteok (꽀떡) — also spelled ggultteok — is a bite-sized Korean rice cake with a sweet filling that melts as you bite in. The name literally means "honey rice cake" (kkul = honey, tteok = rice cake), and it is one of the most familiar treats in Korean rice cake shops. This guide covers what kkultteok is, how it differs from other tteok, how to serve the frozen kind, and where to find ggultteok in the U.S.
What is kkultteok?
Kkultteok is made from a soft rice-flour dough wrapped around a sweet filling, then shaped into small balls and steamed. Traditionally the filling is a mix of sugar and ground sesame or other nutty ingredients that turns syrupy once the rice cake is cooked, so each piece has a small burst of sweetness in the center. The dough is often tinted in pastel colors — white, green from mugwort, pink or purple — so a plate of kkultteok looks bright and festive.
If you were wondering how to say 꽀떡 in English: there is no separate English name. It is usually written as "kkultteok," "ggultteok," "kkul-tteok," or simply "Korean honey rice cake."
What makes kkultteok different?
- Size: small, one-bite pieces — no knife or cutting needed.
- Texture: soft and chewy outside, with a sweet, slightly runny center.
- Shape: round balls, sometimes with a little twist on top, rather than the half-moon shape of songpyeon.
- Everyday treat: songpyeon is closely tied to Chuseok, while kkultteok is enjoyed year-round with coffee or tea.
Kkultteok at Premium K
[Janong] Honey Rice Cakes (320g)
Soft honey-filled rice cakes made with rice flour from Korean rice. The ingredient list includes roasted sesame seeds, soybean powder and honey powder, with mugwort and purple sweet potato powders for color. Janong uses patented technology so the rice cakes stay soft after thawing — no steamer needed. Contains soy, wheat and sesame. See Janong Honey Rice Cakes.
Rice Cake with Honey (500g, 1.1 lb)
Colorful kkul-tteok from Cheongchun Tteok Gongbang, a product of Korea. Frozen and ready to eat after natural thawing. Contains wheat, soybean and sesame. See Rice Cake with Honey.
[Janong] Rice Cake Party (11 packs)
A bundle of honey rice cakes, five-color songpyeon and strawberry cream glutinous rice cakes — handy for gatherings or for trying several kinds of tteok at once. See Rice Cake Party.
How to serve frozen kkultteok
- Thaw at room temperature. Take out only the pieces you will eat and let them sit about 30 minutes, or follow the time on the package.
- No heating needed. Both of our kkultteok are made to be eaten after natural thawing.
- Don't refreeze. Keep the rest sealed in the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below.
- Serve with: barley tea, green tea, or coffee. Kkultteok is also a nice add-on to a Korean dessert plate with fruit.
Where to buy ggultteok in the U.S.
Looking for ggultteok where to buy near Los Angeles? Our store is in LA Koreatown at 3506 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005 (Mon–Sat, 10 AM–6:30 PM). We also deliver and ship:
- 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 items such as rice cakes ship every Monday and Tuesday (PT). Shelf-stable items ship right after you order.
FAQ
What is kkultteok in English?
It is usually called "Korean honey rice cake." The Korean word 꽀떡 is written as kkultteok or ggultteok in English.
Kkultteok vs songpyeon — what's the difference?
Both are filled rice cakes. Kkultteok is small and round with a syrupy sweet center and is eaten any time of year. Songpyeon is half-moon shaped, traditionally steamed on pine needles, and is the signature rice cake of Chuseok.
Do I need to steam frozen kkultteok?
Not for the kkultteok we carry. Thaw them naturally at room temperature and they are ready to eat.
Where can I buy kkultteok in Los Angeles?
At Premium K in LA Koreatown (3506 W. 8th Street), or online with free same-day delivery in LA Koreatown on orders of $49 or more.