Rice cakes
호떡 Hotteok
A fried wheat pancake with a brown sugar and cinnamon filling that melts into hot syrup, sold at street stalls.
Spice: Not spicy
Tteok (rice cakes)
인절미 Injeolmi
Chewy pieces of pounded glutinous rice coated in roasted soybean powder, eaten as a snack or with tea.
- Bean-powder-coated Rice Cake
- Spice: Not spicy
- Vegetarian option
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Glutinous rice, roasted soybean powder |
| How it's served | Bite-size pieces at room temperature, on a plate or in a plastic pack |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Vegetarian option — The dish is meat-free, or a meat-free version is commonly served. Still check the broth and sauces. |
| Allergens | Soy |
| Ask about | Coatings vary; some use sesame, red bean or nut powders instead of soybean powder. |
| On the menu | 인절미 (Injeolmi) |
| Also called | injulmi · injeolmi tteok · Korean mochi |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Bean-powder-coated Rice Cake
Pick it up with a toothpick
Shops often add toothpicks. The powder falls off easily, so hold the piece over the plate or pack.
Take small bites and chew well
The rice cake is soft but very sticky. Chew each bite fully before the next.
Drink tea or water with it
The soybean powder is dry, so a drink helps it go down.
How to order it
Order it as 인절미. Rice cake shops and markets sell it in small packs, so one person can buy a pack alone.
- On the menu: 인절미
- Usually sold: 1 pack
Where it comes from
Injeolmi is a pounded rice cake. It is listed among ritual foods of the Goryeo period, so its history is thought to be long. In the Joseon period, injeolmi from Yeonan was well known for the area's fine glutinous rice.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
Questions about Bean-powder-coated Rice Cake
Is injeolmi vegetarian?
Usually yes. The usual version is glutinous rice with roasted soybean powder and no meat. Some shops add other coatings, so ask if you avoid certain ingredients.
Is injeolmi the same as Japanese mochi?
Not exactly. Both are pounded glutinous rice, but injeolmi is cut into small pieces and coated in powder, usually with no filling.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 29, 2026