Baramtteok || Baram Rice Cake, 바람떡 / Gaepitteok || Gaepi Rice Cake, 개피떡 2

Baramtteok (or Gaepitteok) is a traditional Korean rice cake shaped like a half-moon. It’s made by steaming non-glutinous rice powder, spreading it thinly, and filling it with mung beans or red beans. The name “baramtteok” comes from the Korean word for “wind” (바람), as the cake puffs up and becomes convex when folded, creating an air pocket.

Key characteristics:

• Ingredients: Non-glutinous rice flour, mung beans or red beans, sugar or honey.
• Colors: Typically white (using non-glutinous rice) or green (adding blanched mugwort to the dough).
• Shape: Half-moon shaped with a convex center due to the air pocket.
• Flavor: Sweet and chewy, with a light texture.

How it’s made:

1. Steaming: Non-glutinous rice flour is steamed until cooked.
2. Filling: Mung beans or red beans are cooked, sweetened, and prepared as a filling.
3. Assembly: The steamed rice flour is spread thinly and filled with the bean paste. It is then folded to create the half-moon shape.
4. Cooking: The folded rice cakes are often steamed again to set the shape.

Cultural significance:

Baramtteok is a popular Korean snack and often served during traditional holidays or special occasions. It’s known for its delicate flavor and soft texture, making it a beloved treat for people of all ages.

English translation options:

• Literal translation: “Wind rice cake”
• Descriptive translation: “Half-moon shaped rice cake with sweet bean filling”
• Cultural translation: “Traditional Korean snack with a chewy texture and sweet flavor”