It is usually garnished with thin julienned cooked eggs, marinated meat, gim (김),[3] and sesame oil (참기름).

However, tteokguk is mentioned in the 19th-century book of customs Dongguksesigi (동국세시기; 東國歲時記) as being made with beef or pheasant used as the main ingredient for the broth, and pepper added as seasoning.

The white tteok signifying purity and cleanliness have been eaten during that specific day and it became a ritual to start off the New Year for good fortune.

The broth is generally made by simmering the main protein (beef, chicken, pork, pheasant, seafood) in a ganjang-seasoned stock.

[11] A movie with the name Tteokguk (English title "New Year's Soup") was released in 1971 starring Yoon Jeong-hee and Um Aing-ran.