Lee Young Ja’s 떡국 (Tteokguk) Recipe: Easy & Authentic

South Korean broadcaster Lee Young Ja has recreated actress Son Ye Jin’s Lunar New Year soup recipe, a tteokguk (rice cake soup) that gained prominence after being revealed as a favorite of Son Ye Jin’s husband, actor Hyun Bin. The recreation was featured in a video uploaded to Lee’s YouTube channel, Lee Young Ja TV, on February 8, 2026, titled “Hyun Bin’s Tteokguk Recipe and a Heartfelt Braised Fish Dish.”

The dish, a maesaengi oyster tteokguk, initially gained attention when Hyun Bin identified it as the soup his wife prepares for the Lunar New Year during an appearance on the MBC variety program, The Manager. Actor Jung Woo Sung, also present at the time, reportedly nodded in agreement, suggesting familiarity with the recipe. Lee Young Ja, prompted by the revelation, publicly committed to making the soup herself, a promise she has now fulfilled.

Lee’s video details her attempt to replicate Son Ye Jin’s recipe, highlighting the unique flavor profile imparted by the maesaengi (seaweed) and oysters. She noted that winter is the optimal season for maesaengi, praising its “incredible” aroma and “smell like the ocean” when added to the broth. This builds on Lee’s previous culinary exploration of seaweed-based soups, having previously prepared a maesaengi dumpling soup last year.

The cultural significance of tteokguk extends beyond its deliciousness. As detailed by 123kimchi.com, the soup is a quintessential Korean New Year’s dish, symbolizing purity and a fresh start with its white rice cakes. The tradition even includes a playful belief that each bowl consumed adds a year to one’s age. The dish is often prepared with a focus on the five cardinal colors of Korean tradition – red, blue, yellow, white, and black – representing harmony and good fortune.

Lee Young Ja paired the tteokguk with her own coastal-style braised fish dish, creating a complete meal. She also shared a personal anecdote, recalling that in her island hometown, tteokguk was always served with rice, a practice that differs from some modern interpretations. After tasting the finished soup, Lee praised the dish, stating it tasted like “something I grew up eating” and expressing gratitude to Son Ye Jin for the recipe.

The popularity of Son Ye Jin’s tteokguk underscores the influence of Korean celebrities on culinary trends. As reported by My Korean Kitchen, there are regional variations in tteokguk recipes, with some areas incorporating dumplings or fresh oysters. The version favored by Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin appears to be a particularly well-regarded iteration, prompting Lee Young Ja’s public recreation and further solidifying its status as a culinary highlight of the Lunar New Year.

The preparation of tteokguk often involves specific types of rice cakes, known as tteokguk-tteok, which are thinly sliced and oval-shaped, resembling coins and symbolizing prosperity. These rice cakes can be found in the refrigerated or frozen sections of Asian grocery stores, and frozen varieties benefit from a 20-minute soak in cold water to restore their chewy texture.

The broader context of Korean New Year’s Day, or Seollal, highlights the importance of food as a central element of the celebration. As Kimchimari.com notes, tteokguk is “always served” on this traditional holiday, representing a deeply ingrained cultural practice. The act of preparing and sharing this soup is a demonstration of familial love and a hopeful gesture for the year ahead.

Hyun Bin’s previous public praise of Son Ye Jin’s cooking skills, mentioned in the report, further emphasizes the couple’s affectionate dynamic and contributes to the recipe’s appeal. The recreation by Lee Young Ja, and the resulting attention, serves as a testament to Son Ye Jin’s culinary reputation and the enduring cultural significance of tteokguk in Korean celebrations.

The video’s release on February 8th positions it perfectly within the Lunar New Year timeframe, allowing viewers to attempt the recipe themselves as part of their own celebrations. The combination of celebrity endorsement, traditional symbolism, and accessible preparation instructions makes Son Ye Jin’s maesaengi oyster tteokguk a standout dish for the holiday season.