Description
Spicy Korean street food sensation tteokbokki delivers fiery flavors and chewy textures straight from Seoul’s bustling markets. Gochujang-glazed rice cakes promise an unforgettable culinary journey that sparks excitement with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) Korean rice cakes (tteok, cylindrical)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes, adjust to taste)
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3 cups (720 ml) water (or anchovy broth for authentic flavor)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sugar (or honey)
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) sesame oil
Garnish and Optional Ingredients:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- ½ cup (120 ml) fish cakes (sliced, optional)
- 1 hard-boiled egg (optional, for serving)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic, minced
- 1 sheet dried kelp (optional, for extra umami)
Instructions
- Gently submerge frozen or hardened rice cakes in warm water for approximately 10 minutes to restore their pillowy texture. Carefully drain the softened rice cakes, ensuring they are ready for cooking.
- Craft a delicate broth by bringing water or anchovy stock to a gentle simmer. Introduce dried kelp to infuse depth of flavor, allowing it to steep for 5 minutes before removing from the liquid.
- Create a vibrant spicy sauce by whisking gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and sesame oil into a harmonious, glossy mixture that will coat the rice cakes with intense korean flavor.
- Gently lower the softened rice cakes and fish cakes into the simmering broth. Cascade the spicy sauce over the ingredients, stirring methodically to ensure even coating. Allow the mixture to bubble and reduce for 8-10 minutes, watching as the sauce transforms into a thick, clingy glaze and the rice cakes become tender yet pleasantly chewy.
- Introduce fresh green onions during the final moments of cooking, letting them briefly mingle with the spicy sauce and release their aromatic essence.
- Transfer the tteokbokki to a serving dish, crowning the vibrant creation with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Optionally, accompany with a halved boiled egg for additional visual and textural appeal.
Notes
- Select fresh or high-quality rice cakes for the best texture and chewiness in your tteokbokki.
- Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of gochujang and gochugaru to suit your personal heat tolerance.
- Consider adding protein like boiled eggs, tofu, or seafood to make the dish more nutritionally balanced and filling.
- Experiment with different broths such as vegetable or mushroom stock to create unique flavor variations for vegetarian or dietary-specific versions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 50mg