The present invention relates to a method for preparing steamed rice cake with enhanced water retention ability and elasticity, and more specifically, to a method for preparing steamed rice cake with enhanced water retention ability and elasticity which suppresses the evaporation of moisture contained in the rice cake as much as possible not only during a manufacturing process of the rice cake, but also after the manufacturing process, thereby offering excellent water retention ability and elasticity; and which can offer the rice cake with delayed degradation, thereby making the soft and chewy texture of the steamed rice cake last for a long time.본 발명은 수분유지력 및 탄력성이 향상된 설기의 제조방법에 관한 것으로, 보다 상세하게는 설기의 제조과정 뿐 아니라 제조 후에도 설기 내 함유된 수분 증발을 최대한 억제시켜 수분유지력과 탄력성이 우수하고, 노화가 지연되어 설기의 포근함과 쫀득한 식감을 오랫동안 지속할 수 있는 수분유지력 및 탄력성이 향상된 설기의 제조방법에 관한 것이다.