Return-gift box samples at Seowon-gu rice cake shop Tteokmama Cheongju

Today I'm introducing Tteokmama Cheongju Gaesin Branch, one of the most recommended spots in Cheongju for return-gift rice cakes.

Where is Tteokmama Cheongju Gaesin Branch, and what are its hours?

• Location: 1st floor, unit 101, 13 Bokdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea (about 100m from Gaesin Seonghwa Intersection toward Gaesin Nonghyup)
• Hours: Mon–Sun 08:30–21:00
• Parking: available in nearby alleys and briefly in front of the shop

What the shop looks like inside and out

Walking a little from Gaesin Seonghwa Intersection toward Gaesin Nonghyup, the white, clean signage of Tteokmama Cheongju Gaesin Branch caught my eye right away. The entrance was tidy and uncluttered, giving a very hygienic first impression. As soon as I opened the glass door, the nutty smell of freshly steamed rice cakes drifted through the whole store, and it instantly put me in a good mood.

Inside, the layout was set up comfortably for both takeaway customers and those picking up reservations. Rice cakes made fresh that morning were neatly arranged on trays. The showcase glass and shelves were spotless, which made me trust the place even more.

Which rice cakes does Tteokmama Gaesin sell?

The display case at Tteokmama Cheongju Gaesin Branch had a full range: seolgi (steamed rice cakes), chapssaltteok (glutinous rice cakes) and yeongyangtteok (nutrient rice cakes), injeolmi (bean-coated rice cakes) and gyeongdan (rice balls), songpyeon (half-moon rice cakes) and kkultteok (honey rice cakes), plus return-gift sets. Looking closer, the lineup covered everything from everyday snacks to formal occasion gifts.

Seolgi varieties: starting with the cozy basic baekseolgi (plain white rice cake), there was sweet honey seolgi, tangy strawberry seolgi, nutty black sesame seolgi, and soft sweet pumpkin seolgi. Popular fusion options like cheese seolgi and pizza seolgi also held a solid spot on the shelf.

Chapssaltteok and yeongyangtteok: chewy glutinous rice bases generously packed with chestnuts, beans, jujubes and various nuts filled the soemeori tteok (mixed nut rice cake) and modum yeongyang chapssaltteok (assorted nutrient glutinous rice cake), along with the sweet wandubaegi chapssaltteok (sweet pea glutinous rice cake), all neatly individually packaged. They looked perfect for a quick breakfast substitute or a filling snack on the go.

Injeolmi and gyeongdan: there was the classic injeolmi generously coated in bean powder, a milder version coated with cowpea powder, and pretty tricolor gyeongdan along with susu patteok (sorghum red bean rice cake). These would be perfect for a baby's 100-day celebration or first birthday table.

Songpyeon and kkultteok: chewy sesame songpyeon with a nice crunch, colorful bite-sized ossaek kkultteok (five-color honey rice cake), and soft baram tteok (wind rice cake) were all packaged neatly in small, easy portions.

Return-gift boxes in 2-, 3- and 4-piece sets

Return-gift sets: sample return-gift boxes for promotions, weddings, first birthdays, condolence gifts and corporate events were displayed by size. Being able to freely mix and match from 2-piece to 3-piece to 4-piece sets to fit your needs and budget was a big plus.

With such a diverse range, it would be easy to customize an order for any occasion. I could clearly see why people mention this shop so often when recommending return-gift rice cakes in Cheongju.

What I ordered at Tteokmama: pizza seolgi

This time I picked up the pizza seolgi, which has become a word-of-mouth specialty.

Between the snow-white, fluffy baekseolgi layers was a filling of tangy-sweet special tomato pizza sauce, popping corn kernels, and ham, all stacked in layers. The pack felt satisfyingly heavy in my hand.

I carefully took a big bite, and the chewy-yet-soft texture unique to rice combined with the savory pizza toppings turned out to be an even better match than I expected. It's a flavor that both kids who usually avoid rice cakes and adults could enjoy without any complaints, so I finished one whole piece in no time haha. It's an uncommon but special fusion rice cake, and I'm convinced it would get a really warm reaction tucked into a gift box ♡.

Pizza seolgi in one line

A place where the chewy bite of traditional rice cake and familiar, hearty pizza toppings come together in perfect harmony.

Parking at Tteokmama Cheongju Gaesin Branch

The road right in front of Tteokmama Cheongju Gaesin Branch has quite a bit of traffic, so parking there for a long time might be tricky. If you've already reserved by phone or through Naver, I'd recommend turning on your hazard lights, stopping briefly right in front, and quickly picking up your rice cakes. If you'd rather browse and take your time, using the nearby alley or a paid parking facility would be much more comfortable haha.

Is Tteokmama Gaesin worth it for return gifts?

Tteokmama Cheongju Gaesin Branch is a space where the clean, honest flavor of rice cakes made with good rice meets a tastefully modern sensibility. Both the individual and boxed packaging were consistently neat, making it a solid pick for anyone looking for return-gift rice cake recommendations in Cheongju. In particular, the pizza seolgi, which anyone of any age can enjoy, seems like a great choice for those looking for a distinctive return-gift option. If you're preparing a thoughtful return gift or a hearty snack, it's well worth a visit.