Quick Summary
Kick off Lunar New Year 2026 with a fiery twist. While Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup) is the traditional symbol of luck and wealth, we’re leveling up the holiday spirit with a spicy Buldak hack.
The Tradition: Eating Rice Cake Soup to officially turn a year older and invite prosperity.
The Twist: Add Buldak sauce to traditional broth for an instant, addictive spicy upgrade.
The Pro-Tip: Use leftover rice cakes to host a viral Buldak Tteokbokki party.
Excitement is in the air — Korea's biggest holiday is right around the corner. Korea marks January 1st as New Year's Day too. But most Koreans see Lunar New Year 2026 as the "real" New Year. Korean media often refers to it as one of the country’s biggest holidays.
This year, why not surprise your loved ones with something beyond the usual holiday spread? Today, we'll look at the traditions behind a Korean New Year celebration. We'll also show you how to kick off 2026 with a bold, fiery twist — Buldak style. It keeps the chewy goodness of classic rice cakes while adding that addictive Buldak heat. Here's how to enjoy Korean New Year in the trendiest way possible!
🌶 Grab your Buldak Sauce on Amazon and start cooking today.
1.Understanding Korean New Year Food Culture
1) The Connection Between Lunar New Year and Korean Food Culture
Korean Lunar New Year is the most important folk holiday for Koreans. It marks a fresh start — not just a new date on the calendar, but a reset for everything. On the morning of Korean Lunar New Year, families gather to honor their ancestors. They share a carefully prepared meal..
One unique tradition that makes Lunar New Year extra special is the Korean age system. In this system, everyone turns one year older on January 1st — no matter when their actual birthday is. You start at age one the moment you're born. Then, everyone ages up together on New Year's Day. That's why many believe you should eat a bowl of Korean rice cake soup on New Year's morning to age up. Korea has mostly switched to the global age system now. But this idea still sticks with people of all ages.
During Korean New Year, families prepare food as a sign of respect for their ancestors and share it together. Holiday food isn't just about eating — it's about showing love. This Lunar New Year 2026, countless Korean families will gather to bow and share good wishes. They'll bond over a warm meal.
2)The Hidden Messages in Holiday Food
The most iconic holiday dish is Korean rice cake soup. Unlike the short, thick tteokbokki rice cake, this soup uses garaetteok. These are long, tube-shaped rice cakes sliced on a slant. But why do Koreans pick this dish for their first meal of the year?
The Meaning of White Rice Cakes
Koreans have always loved the color white. There's even an old name for Korean people — "the white-clad folk." The white rice cakes in Korean rice cake soup stand for a fresh start. They mean letting go of the past year and beginning anew with a pure heart.
The Shape of Garaetteok
The long shape of Garaetteok stands for a wish for long life and good health. Families stretch the rice cake dough long, hoping everyone will live a long, healthy life.
The Coin-Shaped Slices
Garaetteok is sliced into thin, round pieces that look like old Korean coins. This is a wish for wealth in the new year. Rice dishes like tteokbokki rice cake and rice cake soup have a chewy bite. That chewiness stands for strong family bonds. Sharing rice cakes isn't just eating — it's sharing blessings and love.
3)Korean New Year Food Through a Global Lens
With K-content becoming popular worldwide, Korean Lunar New Year culture is getting more attention than ever. Korean rice cake soup is becoming known globally as a lucky food that brings good fortune. Some people even mix Korean Lunar New Year dishes with lucky foods from other countries. The result? Totally new fusion meals.
These dishes carry deep meaning — wishes for long life, wealth, and family love. That storytelling is what makes Korean food culture so special to people around the world.
2. How to Enjoy Korean Rice Cake Soup, Buldak Style (H2)
1)The Basics of Rice Cake Soup
Korean Rice Cake Soup, Tteokguk, is the signature dish of Korean Lunar New Year. It's made by slicing white Garaetteok thin and simmering it in broth. There are three key elements: the rice cakes, the broth, and the toppings.
Rice Cakes
Thinly sliced Garaetteok takes center stage — a different vibe from the thick, chewy tteokbokki rice cake.
Broth
The base is usually beef broth, ox bone broth, or a lighter anchovy broth. Each region in Korea has its own take on the broth.
Toppings
Yellow and white egg strips, green scallions, dark seaweed flakes, and finely chopped meat are the go-to toppings. They make the dish look gorgeous and add nutrition and flavor. Traditional Korean rice cake soup has a mild, comforting taste. It's the ultimate Korean comfort food. When Lunar New Year rolls around, tons of restaurants across Korea add it as a limited-time menu item.
2)Regional Differences in Rice Cake Soup
In northern regions like Hamgyeong-do and Pyeongan-do, people often add dumplings to the soup. It was common to serve dumpling soup on the holiday table. In the south — places like Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, and Gyeongsang-do — Korean Rice Cake Soup was the star of the meal. In Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do — where north meets south — people often ate both. Some even combined them into one dish: rice cake and dumpling soup. Broths vary too. Some regions use ox bone or brisket, while others go with anchovy or dried pollock. Topping choices and even how thick the rice cakes are sliced differ from place to place. If you're into Korean Rice Cake Soup, exploring these regional variations can be a really fun deep dive.
3)Spicy Buldak-Style Rice Cake Soup Recipe
This Korean Lunar New Year, why not shake things up? Classic Korean Rice Cake Soup is usually seasoned with soy sauce or salt. But if you want a different kind of warmth, try adding Buldak sauce for that addictive kick.
Instead of a clear broth, the rich, red Buldak-infused soup cuts through the heaviness of typical holiday food. Buldak sauce pairs best with chicken broth, but it works great with any kind. Adjust the amount to your taste — from a gentle tingle to a stress-busting level of heat.
3.Spicy Buldak Rice Cake Soup — Full Recipe
Classic Rice Cake Soup is comforting, but Buldak Rice Cake Soup is the real game-changer. It cuts through the richness of holiday fried foods and hits that spicy craving.
Q: Can I make traditional Korean rice cake soup spicy?
A: Yes! By adding Buldak Sauce to the traditional beef or chicken broth, you can transform a mild Rice Cake Soup into a trendy, spicy fusion dish. It’s the perfect way to enjoy K-food traditions with a modern twist.
Here's a simple Buldak rice cake soup recipe you can make this Korean Lunar New Year.
1)Ingredients
2 cups sliced rice cake
4 cups chicken broth
1–2 Tbsp Buldak sauce
1 Tbsp soup soy sauce
1 egg / green onion / gim (seaweed) flakes
Optional toppings: cheese, dumplings, fish cake
2)Directions
Soak the rice cakes in cold water for about 10 minutes. If they're already soft, skip this step.
Bring the broth to a boil and season lightly with soup soy sauce. Chicken broth is the best pick, but beef broth works too.
Add the rice cakes and boil for 2–3 minutes until they soften. They'll float to the top when they're done.
Stir in 1 tablespoon of Buldak sauce, taste, and add more to your liking.
If you're adding dumplings or fish cake, toss them in now.
Once those toppings are cooked, swirl in a beaten egg or top with egg strips for a creamy touch.
Transfer to a bowl and finish with scallions and seaweed flakes. If you're adding cheese, put it on last and let the residual heat melt it slightly.
4.Different Types of Holiday Rice Cakes
1)Types of Rice Cakes for Lunar New Year
Not all rice cakes are the same. Here's a quick guide to the three types you'll see during the holiday.
Korean holidays feature different rice cakes — each with a unique shape and purpose. Garaetteok is sliced thin for soup. Jeolpyeon is stamped with pretty patterns and brushed with sesame oil. Injeolmi is pounded, super sticky, and coated in bean powder. Here's how they compare:
Comparison: Garaetteok vs. Jeolpyeon vs. Injeolmi
| Type | Shape | Texture | Best For |
| Garaetteok | Long, sliced on the diagonal | Soft & tender | Korean Rice Cake Soup, Buldak Hacks |
| Jeolpyeon | Stamped with decorative patterns | Chewy & nutty (brushed with sesame oil) | Tea snacks, holiday gifts |
| Injeolmi | Coated in bean powder | Super sticky & stretchy | Dessert |
2) The OG Korean Dipping Tradition
Here's a fun fact most people don't know. Koreans have been dipping rice cakes for centuries. During holidays, families stretch fresh Garaetteok into long strips and dip them into Jogcheong. Jogcheong is a golden grain syrup made from rice. It's sweet, sticky, and super simple.
This tradition goes way back. In the old days, sugar was rare in Korea. So Jogcheong was the go-to sweetener. Pulling a warm piece of Garaetteok and dragging it through that thick, golden syrup was a holiday treat everyone looked forward to. Kids especially loved it. It was like the Korean version of dipping breadsticks in honey.
The act of dipping and sharing had meaning too. Families sat together, pulled rice cakes apart, and passed the Jogcheong bowl around. It was a simple way to say, "I'm glad we're together." The sweetness of the syrup stood for a wish — may the new year be just as sweet.
3) A New Way to Say "Happy New Year" — Buldak Dipping
In the Korean zodiac, 2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse. The Fire Horse stands for passion, energy, and bold moves. Its symbolic color is red — does that sound familiar?
Now imagine this. Same tradition. Same long, chewy Garaetteok. But instead of sweet syrup, you dip it in Buldak sauce — bright red, just like the Fire Horse. That's not just a snack. That's a vibe. Sweet is classic. But spicy? That's a statement. It's like saying, "Let's make this year as bold as the Fire Horse." Instead of wishing for sweetness, you’re wishing for a year filled with energy and excitement. Red rice cakes for a red year — it just makes sense. Here's how to set it up. Stretch fresh Garaetteok into long sticks. Set out small bowls of Buldak sauce in different flavors. Original for the brave ones. Carbo for the creamy crowd. 2x Spicy for anyone who wants to go viral. Let everyone pick their level and dip away. It's the perfect party moment. Picture your family gathered together, daring each other to try the hottest sauce. Someone's face turns red — Fire Horse red. Everyone laughs. Someone records it. That's a Lunar New Year 2026 memory right there. The old tradition was about sweetness and togetherness. The Buldak version keeps the togetherness — but adds a kick. Sweet or spicy, the message is the same. You're sharing food. You're sharing laughs. You're kicking off the Year of the Fire Horse in the most fun way possible.
5.Level Up Your Holiday Table with Buldak Tteokbokki
1)Turn Leftover Rice Cakes into Buldak Tteokbokki
During Korean New Year, you'll almost always end up with leftover rice cakes after making soup. A great way to use them up? Turn them into tteokbokki. Tteokbokki often uses tteokbokki-style rice cakes, which are thicker and chewier. But the chewier soup rice cakes work great too.
There are a few ways to make Buldak tteokbokki. Using straight Buldak sauce gives you a bold, direct hit of heat. But if you mix in a little gochujang, you get that classic Korean tteokbokki flavor. Not big on spice? Add heavy cream or milk for a creamy Buldak tteokbokki.
All you need is leftover rice cakes, fish cake, scallions, and some cabbage. You can even throw in ramen noodles for a bigger, share-worthy dish. Perfect for that cozy holiday vibe.
2)Rice Cakes as Party Food
Modern Korean New Year is less about formal rituals and more about fun family home parties. In this trend, Buldak dishes made with tteokbokki rice cake are the perfect party food.
Buldak tteokbokki looks amazing in a big hot pot or on a large platter. Everyone can grab a portion and share their reactions to the heat — which is honestly half the fun. The bold red color of the sauce adds tons of energy to the table. It's a big change from the usual mild holiday spread.
3)The Ultimate Icebreaker
Got relatives you haven't seen in ages or shy cousins at the table? Whip up some Buldak and suggest a spicy food challenge. Make an extreme-heat Buldak rice cake soup for Korean New Year and see who can keep a straight face while eating it. Or bond over your spice preferences while cooking together — that's a memory in the making. For younger folks who love social media, it's also great content for recording your Lunar New Year 2026 moments.
Add Buldak Ramen to your tteokbokki
6. Easy Holiday Menu Ideas to Share with Family & Friends
A successful Korean Lunar New Year party needs a smart menu plan that matches food to the right moment. If you're tired of eating the same stuff all day during the holiday, try mixing traditional and modern flavors throughout the day.
1)A Warm Start to the Holiday Morning
The morning is all about honoring traditions — paying respects to ancestors and wishing your family good health. This is where a warm, hearty bowl of Korean Rice Cake Soup shines. Carefully arranged toppings, savory pancakes, and various veggie side dishes all carry the spirit of a fresh new year. Sitting together and sipping hot broth while sharing good wishes — that’s the heart of Lunar New Year. For this moment, stick with heritage flavors.
2)Party Time! A Menu for the Whole Family
In the afternoon or evening, switch things up with Buldak dishes loaded with tteokbokki rice cake. When relatives and extended family start pouring in, you'll need something to break the formal mood. That's when you bring out the spicy party menu with Buldak sauce and leftover rice cakes. By this point, everyone's tired of the heavy, oily holiday food — and the punch of Buldak heat will wake up their taste buds. Set out a big spread with beer, makgeolli, or a sparkling fruit drink on the side, and let the party begin!
3)Buldak Cooking Tips for the Holidays
During Lunar New Year 2026, you don't want to be stuck in the kitchen all day. Here are some smart tips for a stress-free Lunar New Year.
Pre-Prep Everything
Soak the rice cakes in cold water ahead of time. Slice fish cake, scallions, and cabbage into bite-sized pieces and portion them into zip bags. Pre-mix the sauce — Buldak sauce, Gochujang, and Corn syrup — in a jar. When guests arrive, just toss everything in a pan and cook..
Scaling Up for a Crowd
For one serving, use about 200g of tteokbokki rice cake with 1–1.5 Tbsp of Buldak sauce. But when you're cooking for five or more people, don't just multiply the sauce by five. Instead, adjust the liquid and season as you go. Rather than loading up on Buldak sauce alone, mix in some gochujang and honey for a richer, deeper flavor. If there are kids or spice beginners in the group, pile on mozzarella cheese at the end. It tones down the heat and makes the dish look stunning.
We've shown how to honor Korean New Year traditions. Add excitement to your Lunar New Year 2026 with these Buldak recipes. The way we celebrate may evolve. But the warm spirit of sharing food and wishing each other well never will.
This Lunar New Year creates a special moment. Let the comfort of classic Korean Rice Cake Soup meet the thrill of Buldak. Just one spoonful of spicy newness added to a familiar dish can totally transform your table.
Celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 Korean-style with a heartfelt bowl of Korean Rice Cake Soup and Buldak dishes. Share them with the people who matter most. Here's to a 2026 filled with passion and happiness as fiery as Buldak! 🔥
