Rice cakes

Tteok is a dough made from rice flour that is steamed and then pounded or kneaded until dense and elastic. For braises and soups it is shaped into long sticks cut into pieces, or sliced on the diagonal into thin ovals. It has little flavour of its own and takes on the sauce or broth around it. What matters is the texture: soft on the outside, chewy and springy within. Fresh tteok hardens quickly in the fridge but softens again when cooked. Older or chilled pieces are soaked in cold water for a while beforehand. It is sold in Asian grocers chilled, frozen or vacuum-packed, sometimes dried, and is also available by mail order.