Native name | 비원떡집 |
---|---|
Industry | Food |
Founded | 1949 |
Founder | Hong Gan-nan |
Headquarters | 33-1 Bukchon-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea |
Website | biwon |
Biwon Tteokjip (Korean: 비원떡집) is a historic tteok (Korean rice cake) store in Seoul, South Korea. It was established in 1949, and has remained a family business since then. It was run by the third generation of the family by the 2010s.[1][2] In 2017, it was designated an Oraegage, a store of historic value, by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.[1] It is also a Seoul Future Heritage.[3] It is listed on the Blue Ribbon Survey, a South Korean restaurant guide.[4][5]
The store's recipes descend from those of Han Hui-sun (한희순; 1889–1972), whom was reportedly one of the last royal court ladies of Joseon.[1][6] She supervised the palace kitchens during the reigns of the final Korean monarchs Gojong and Sunjong. She handed her recipes down to Hong Gan-nan (홍간난; 1925–1999).[1] Hong opened Biwon Tteokjip in 1949. The store was initially located near the former palace Changdeokgung.[2] The store is possibly named for the Changdeokgung Secret Garden (called a biwon).[5] The store was reportedly frequented by South Korean leader Park Chung Hee.[2] In 1984, she handed the store off to her nephew, Ahn In-cheol (안인철), whom had worked there since the 1970s.[1] Hong continued to work at the store until her death. Ahn moved the store to Susong-dong in Jongno District.[2] Ahn handed the store off to his son, Ahn Sang-min (안상민) in the early 2010s.[1]
Ahn reportedly overhauled the store's packaging, design, and recipes after he took over, which led to an increase in sales.[1][2] The tteok is reportedly all still made by hand.[5] Ahn also had the store placed on travel guides for Japanese and Chinese customers, which also increased sales.[2] The store reportedly prepares inventory on the day of, and closes early if it runs out of stock.[5]