How Many Calories Are in 1 Korean Rice Cake?

November 7, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data, a single cylinder of plain Korean rice cake contains roughly 150 calories. This guide explains exactly how many calories are in 1 Korean rice cake, detailing the factors that can cause this number to fluctuate and how preparation impacts the final nutritional value.

Quick Summary

A comprehensive breakdown of the calorie content for various Korean rice cake types, exploring nutritional information and the effects of different cooking preparations on the final dish's total calorie count.

Key Points

Single Piece Calories: A single cylinder of plain Korean rice cake (garaetteok) contains approximately 150 calories, but this can vary by size and type.
Dish Calories Vary: The final calorie count of a Korean rice cake is heavily dependent on the dish it's prepared in, with sauces and other ingredients adding significantly to the total.
Low Fat Content: Korean rice cakes are naturally low in fat, making them a good carbohydrate source when not laden with rich sauces.
Glycemic Impact: Because they are primarily carbohydrates, Korean rice cakes can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar, so it's best to pair them with protein and fiber.
Not all Rice Cakes are Equal: The dense, chewy Korean rice cake is different from low-calorie puffed rice cakes often used for snacking, with a significantly higher calorie count per piece.
Consider the Context: To accurately track calorie intake, one must consider the entire dish rather than just the base rice cake, as sauces and other additions contribute most to the final count.

Understanding the Korean Rice Cake

Korean rice cakes, known as tteok, are a beloved staple in Korean cuisine, featuring in a variety of dishes from savory stews like tteokbokki to sweet desserts. They are fundamentally made from rice flour, but the specific calorie count and nutritional profile can vary significantly based on the type of rice used, the shape and size of the cake, and the method of preparation. Unlike the Western-style puffed rice cakes, Korean tteok are dense and chewy, which contributes to their higher caloric density per piece.

Factors Influencing Calorie Count

Several key factors determine the final calorie count of a Korean rice cake:

Type of Rice: Most tteok are made from non-glutinous rice (maepssal) or glutinous rice (chapssal). Glutinous rice is generally stickier and can have a slightly different caloric profile.
Form and Size: A thin, sliced rice cake (tteokguk tteok) used for soup will have a different calorie count per piece than a thick, cylindrical one (garaetteok or tteokbokki tteok).
Preparation Method: The biggest variable is how the rice cake is cooked. A plain steamed rice cake is much lower in calories than one that has been pan-fried (tteok-san) or simmered in a rich, sweet, and spicy tteokbokki sauce, which adds significant sugar and oil.
Additives: Some commercial rice cakes contain stabilizers or other additives, which can alter their basic nutritional makeup.

Calorie Breakdown by Rice Cake Type

To provide a clear answer to the question of how many calories are in 1 Korean rice cake, it's essential to look at the different forms. Below is an approximate calorie breakdown for some common types.

Garaetteok (Tteokbokki Rice Cake)

Garaetteok are the long, cylindrical white rice cakes used for tteokbokki. A single, standard-sized piece is typically what is referenced when discussing the calorie count of an uncooked rice cake. A cylinder measuring approximately 2 inches long contains around 150 calories. This is a good baseline, but remember that the dish itself will have more calories.

Sliced Rice Cake (Tteokguk Tteok)

These thinly sliced, disc-shaped rice cakes are primarily used for rice cake soup (tteokguk). Because they are much thinner, the calorie count per piece is significantly lower than a garaetteok. However, they are consumed in much larger quantities within a bowl of soup, so the overall calorie total for the meal will be comparable or even higher, depending on the other ingredients.

Calorie Comparison: Korean vs. Puffed Rice Cake

For context, it's helpful to compare a dense Korean rice cake to the Western-style puffed rice cake often used for low-calorie snacking. As noted by Healthline via Vinmec, a standard puffed rice cake (approx. 9 grams) contains only about 35 calories, whereas a single 150-calorie Korean rice cake cylinder is a denser source of carbohydrates.


Feature	Korean Rice Cake (Garaetteok, 1 cylinder)	Puffed Rice Cake (1 standard cake)
Calories	~150 kcal	~35 kcal
Primary Macronutrient	Carbohydrates	Carbohydrates
Texture	Dense, chewy	Light, airy, crunchy
Carbohydrates	32g	7.3g
Protein	2.4g	0.7g
Fat	1.1g	0.3g

The Real-World Calorie Count of Korean Rice Cake Dishes

While knowing the base calorie count of a single rice cake is useful, most are consumed as part of a larger dish. The accompanying sauces and other ingredients are what truly dictate the final meal's caloric load. For example, a single serving of the popular dish tteokbokki can have over 300 calories or much more, depending on the recipe. The sweet and spicy red chili paste (gochujang), sugar, and added proteins like fish cakes and boiled eggs will all increase the calorie count significantly.

Conclusion: A Versatile Carb Source

So, how many calories are in 1 Korean rice cake? A plain, standard-sized cylindrical rice cake (garaetteok) contains approximately 150 calories. However, this is just the starting point. When prepared in popular dishes like tteokbokki, the final calorie count per rice cake will be higher due to the absorption of rich sauces and other ingredients. For a balanced diet, it's best to enjoy Korean rice cakes as part of a meal that incorporates healthy fats and protein to help regulate blood sugar levels. The calorie count is manageable, and the most important thing is to enjoy this delicious culinary tradition in moderation as part of a well-rounded diet.

For more information on the nutritional profiles of various Korean dishes, you can refer to databases like Nutritionix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Korean rice cakes are moderately high in calories due to their density and carbohydrate content. While a single piece is not excessive, popular dishes like tteokbokki can be calorie-dense because of the sweet and oily sauces.

A standard cylindrical Korean rice cake has about 150 calories, whereas a typical puffed Western rice cake contains only about 35 calories. The main difference lies in their density and processing.

To make a rice cake dish healthier, use less sugar in the sauce and add more vegetables and lean protein. Pairing the carbohydrates with fiber and protein helps balance the meal's nutritional profile.

Yes, Korean rice cakes are made from rice flour and are naturally gluten-free. This makes them a suitable option for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

Yes, the calorie count per piece varies based on shape and size. A thick, cylindrical garaetteok has more calories per piece than a thin, sliced tteokguk tteok, although the final meal's calories will depend on the quantity consumed.

To calculate the calories in a bowl of tteokbokki, you must account for the rice cakes, the sauce, and any additional ingredients. The calorie count of the sauce, which often contains sugar and chili paste, and any added fish cakes or eggs will significantly increase the total.

Korean rice cakes can be part of a weight-loss diet when consumed in moderation. The key is to manage portion sizes and balance them with protein and fiber to avoid blood sugar spikes and to stay full longer.