Tteok-galbi (glazed short rib patties)

Tteok-galbi began as a royal court dish: tender short rib meat chopped finely, seasoned like galbi and pressed back into neat patties, said to be shaped like rice cakes (tteok), which gave it its name. There is no rice cake in it. Minced beef mixed with a little pork gives the same juicy result at home. Knead the mixture until sticky so the patties hold together, and cook them gently: the sugar in the seasoning burns easily. Brush on the glaze at the end for a lacquered finish.