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Biwon Tteokjip

Coordinates: 37°34′47″N 126°59′05″E / 37.5797°N 126.9848°E / 37.5797; 126.9848
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Biwon Tteokjip
Native name
비원떡집
IndustryFood
Founded1949; 75 years ago (1949)
FounderHong Gan-nan
Headquarters33-1 Bukchon-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Map
Websitebiwon.net (in Korean)

Biwon Tteokjip (Korean비원떡집) is a historic tteok (Korean rice cake) store in Seoul, South Korea. It was established in 1949, and has remained a family business since then. It was run by the third generation of the family by the 2010s.[1][2] In 2017, it was designated an Oraegage, a store of historic value, by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.[1] It is also a Seoul Future Heritage.[3] It is listed on the Blue Ribbon Survey, a South Korean restaurant guide.[4][5]

The store's recipes descend from those of Han Hui-sun (한희순; 1889–1972), whom was reportedly one of the last royal court ladies of Joseon.[1][6] She supervised the palace kitchens during the reigns of the final Korean monarchs Gojong and Sunjong. She handed her recipes down to Hong Gan-nan (홍간난; 1925–1999).[1] Hong opened Biwon Tteokjip in 1949. The store was initially located near the former palace Changdeokgung.[2] The store is possibly named for the Changdeokgung Secret Garden [ko] (called a biwon).[5] The store was reportedly frequented by South Korean leader Park Chung Hee.[2] In 1984, she handed the store off to her nephew, Ahn In-cheol (안인철), whom had worked there since the 1970s.[1] Hong continued to work at the store until her death. Ahn moved the store to Susong-dong in Jongno District.[2] Ahn handed the store off to his son, Ahn Sang-min (안상민) in the early 2010s.[1]

Ahn reportedly overhauled the store's packaging, design, and recipes after he took over, which led to an increase in sales.[1][2] The tteok is reportedly all still made by hand.[5] Ahn also had the store placed on travel guides for Japanese and Chinese customers, which also increased sales.[2] The store reportedly prepares inventory on the day of, and closes early if it runs out of stock.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Kang, Shin-jae (2020). "A Daily Routine as Precious as Ever". Koreana. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  2. ^ a b c d e f 김, 선엽 (2020-07-19). 포장 바꿨더니… 모두가 "이게 웬 떡이냐". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  3. ^ 한식포털 (The Taste of Korea HANSIK). www.hansik.or.kr (in Korean). 2024-03-28. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  4. ^ 비원떡집. Blue Ribbon Survey (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  5. ^ a b c d 엄, 민용; 남, 소라 (2017-12-20). [서울 그집 '오래가게']비원떡집…임금님 상에 오르던 '궁중떡' 맛도 그만. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  6. ^ "Biwon tteokjip". Time Out. 2015-08-20. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
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