Lately, I’ve found myself craving tteok (Korean rice cakes) far more often than bread or pastries. As a self-proclaimed rice cake fanatic, I finally decided to embark on a culinary pilgrimage to the famous Seoul tteok shops I’d been saving on my map for ages.
From the legendary “Top 3 Tteok Shops in Seoul” to the trendy spots blowing up on social media, I went all in. If you love chewy, satisfying desserts as much as I do, this honest review of my Seoul tteok tour will be your perfect guide!
My Tteok Pilgrimage Itinerary: Top Shops in Gangnam, Seochon, Ikseon-dong & Seongsu-dong
Trying to visit all these places in one day would be impossible, so I spread my tour across a few days. I carefully selected the most representative shop from each neighborhood, each with its own unique charm.
- Apgujeong Gongju Tteok: The living legend of heukimja-injeolmi (black sesame rice cakes) and one of Seoul’s “big three.”
- Jaiso Seochon: A hidden gem in a quiet alley, famous for its dried persimmon glutinous rice cakes.
- Ajindang Tteok Sangjeom: A “tteok department store” in the trendy Ikseon-dong district—a dessert paradise.
- Obok Tteokjip: Home of the original Ang-Butter Monaka that captured the hearts of Seongsu-dong’s hip crowd.
Let’s start our journey at the first stop: Apgujeong.
1. Apgujeong Gongju Tteok: The Holy Land of Black Sesame Injeolmi
This spot was at the top of my list after hearing endless praise from my colleagues. It’s considered one of the “Top 3 Tteok Shops in Seoul,” along with Dosuhyang in Apgujeong and Tteokmadang in Bangbae-dong. I was most curious about their signature black sesame injeolmi, so I visited while picking up a gift for Parents’ Day.
Getting There & Parking
I was surprised to see such a large private parking lot right in the middle of Apgujeong—a true sign of a legendary establishment. As a car-free traveler, I took the subway, and the accessibility was fantastic. It’s just a 5-minute walk from Apgujeong Station (Line 3), Exit 4.
- Address: 1F, 10 Nonhyeon-ro 161-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:55 PM (Open almost every day)
- Parking: Available in the private lot next to the store.
My Honest Taste Test
The shop itself was smaller than I expected, with a constant stream of customers. I was told there’s usually no long wait outside of major holidays. While there were many beautifully packaged gift sets, I opted for several smaller packs to sample a variety.
- Black Sesame Injeolmi (₩8,000 ≈ $6.50 USD): I understood why this was their signature after the first bite. The rice cake itself is incredibly chewy, and it’s absolutely smothered in a generous coating of black sesame powder. The flat, dense appearance hilariously reminded me of a cement block, but the taste was heavenly. However, the black sesame has a distinct nutty bitterness, which might not be for everyone if you’re sensitive to that flavor profile.
- Duteop-tteok (Royal Rice Cake) (4 pieces, ₩8,000 ≈ $6.50 USD): This was my first time trying this royal delicacy, once served on kings’ birthdays. It’s filled with red bean paste, jujubes, chestnuts, and yuzu, giving it a unique sweet-and-sour flavor. To be honest, it was a bit unfamiliar to my palate. While I appreciated the packed filling, the fruity aroma in the rice cake isn’t something I’m used to.
- Yeongyang-tteok (Nutritional Rice Cake) (₩8,000 ≈ $6.50 USD): You can’t go wrong with this one! The chewy glutinous rice is studded with various nuts and beans, creating a delightful texture and a wonderful savory flavor.
While not cheap, the quality and taste make their products well worth the price, especially for a special gift.
2. Jaiso Seochon: Rediscovering Fruit Mochi in a Charming Alley
I used to frequent another ‘Jaiso’ branch when I lived alone before getting married, so I was thrilled to stumble upon this one in Seochon Village. If my husband hadn’t pointed it out, I might have walked right past it. The combination of a serene hanok (traditional Korean house) exterior and a modern, clean interior was striking.
Getting There & Atmosphere
Located a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Line 3), Exit 2, the shop is tucked away in a quiet alley, giving it the feel of a local secret. The interior is cozy, with a sunlit window seat perfect for enjoying tteok with a cup of tea.
- Address: 1F, 25 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Wed-Sun), Closed Mon & Tue.
My Honest Taste Test
Jaiso is famous for its fruit-filled chapssal-tteok (glutinous rice cakes, similar to mochi), like strawberry or tangerine, but my absolute favorite is something else.
- Dried Persimmon Chapssal-tteok: My husband had tried to buy this for me before, but it was sold out. This time, I didn’t hesitate. A whole, sweet dried persimmon and a crunchy walnut are wrapped inside a chewy glutinous rice cake. The flavor is elegant and not overly sweet, making it a perfect gift for adults.
- Matcha Chapssal-tteok: A must-try for any matcha lover. It’s packed with a rich, slightly bitter matcha-bean paste.
Each piece is individually wrapped, which is both hygienic and great for gifting. Insider tip: they are best eaten fresh, but if you buy too many, you can freeze them. Just let them thaw naturally at room temperature, and they taste almost as good as new.
3. Ajindang Tteok Sangjeom (Ikseon-dong): A Tteok Lover’s Paradise
I visit Ikseon-dong often but had no idea this place existed. It’s a renewal of a shop that dates back to 1975 called ‘Tteok-gage Jongchun.’ The moment I stepped inside, my jaw dropped. It’s a true “tteok department store” with an unbelievable variety of choices.
Getting There & Atmosphere
It’s incredibly easy to find, located right at the entrance of Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, near Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, 5), Exit 4. The shop also functions as a “tteok cafe,” with tables where you can enjoy your selections with traditional tea or coffee.
- Address: 34-6 Donhwamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Daily (may vary slightly)
My Honest Taste Test
The biggest advantage here is, without a doubt, the sheer variety. They have everything from traditional injeolmi and chaltteok to modern creations like chocolate cream tteok, gaeseong-juak (a type of fried honey cookie), and even macarons! It took me forever to decide.
- Individually Wrapped Tteok (₩1,800-₩2,500 each ≈ $1.30-$1.90 USD): Items like omegi-tteok, mugwort chapssal-tteok, and black sesame duteop-tteok are perfectly portioned for sampling. My mom picked these, and they were all delicious, healthy, and true to their classic flavors.
- Chocolate Cream Tteok (₩4,700 ≈ $3.50 USD): I picked this one purely for myself. The chewy rice cake is filled with a sweet, smooth chocolate cream—a perfect sugar rush. Kids would absolutely love this.
- Black Rice Nutritional Tteok (₩4,200 ≈ $3.15 USD): This was packed so generously with nuts that it was a meal in itself. The texture was fantastic, and it would be a great breakfast substitute.
The most amazing part? I stored them in the fridge and ate them two days later, and they were still soft and chewy, not hard at all. If you love tteok, this place is a must-visit when you’re in Ikseon-dong.
4. Obok Tteokjip (Seongsu-dong): Home of the Viral Ang-Butter Monaka
Seongsu-dong is known more for its cafes and pop-up stores, but a tteok shop that went viral on social media is hidden here. The star of the show is the “Ang-Butter Monaka” from Obok Tteokjip. My boss brought some to the office one morning, and after one bite, I was completely hooked and had to go there myself after work.
Getting There & Info
You can walk from Seongsu Station or Seoul Forest Station (Bundang Line), but it’s a bit of a trek, especially in the summer. I’d recommend driving or stopping by on your way home from the area.
- Address: 32 Seongdeokjeong-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Daily
My Honest Taste Test
It’s no exaggeration to say that the entire reason for this shop’s existence is the Ang-Butter Monaka. Their other rice cakes are good, but this one is in a league of its own.
- Ang-Butter Monaka Chapssal-tteok (₩9,000 ≈ $7.00 USD): This is a true delicacy. It’s a sandwich of chewy glutinous rice cake and flat rice cake, filled with a thick slice of butter and sweet red bean paste (Ang). You assemble it yourself by placing the filling inside the crispy monaka (wafer) shells that come with it. The combination of crispy, chewy, soft, and sweet is an absolute flavor explosion. It’s an unforgettable taste—truly mind-blowing. The portion is quite large, so one is very filling.
They have other trendy items like Tiramisu or Strawberry Siru-tteok (steamed rice cake), but I’ve heard mixed reviews. If you visit Obok Tteokjip, you absolutely must try the Ang-Butter Monaka.
🌟 Recommendation Rating
This tour was a fantastic way to experience the evolution of Korean tteok. From timeless classics to innovative desserts, each shop had a clear identity and a killer signature menu. It was a delicious journey confirming why these places are so beloved.
- Apgujeong Gongju Tteok: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – The black sesame injeolmi is top-tier, but the prices are a bit high.
- Jaiso Seochon: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Perfect in taste, visuals, and atmosphere. Excellent for gifts.
- Ajindang Tteok Sangjeom: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – Experience the A-to-Z of tteok, but the sheer variety can be overwhelming!
- Obok Tteokjip: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – The Ang-Butter Monaka is life-changing! Other items might be less memorable.