Traditional Tteokbokki Recipe – Korean Street Food at Its Best

Tteokbokki, also known as ‘spicy rice cakes’, is a popular Korean street food that has been enjoyed for centuries. The light yet savory flavor of the tteokbokki is enjoyed widely by everyone. Most recipes include the prepared tteok (sticky rice cakes), a spicy, sweet and savory sauce, some vegetables, and fish-based seasonings.

Making the Tteok

The most important part of making tteokbokki is making the tteok, or boiled rice cakes. This can be done by soaking the rice cakes in water until they are soft, then boiling them for around 15 minutes. Once they are cooked through, drain and rinse them with cold water. You can then cut them into thin strips or circles.

Making the Sauce

The sauce for tteokbokki is typically made with a combination of gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, onion and garlic. Depending on the recipe, you may also find shared some honey, sesame oil, and other seasonings. Once all the ingredients are combined and simmered for several minutes, the sauce for your tteokbokki is ready.

Creating the Dish

To make tteokbokki, first prepare some veggies and optionally some fish cake. Saute them in a pan until lightly browned and fragrant. Add the tteok and the sauce, simmering until the tteok is fully coated and the sauce has thickened. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, chopped green onions and optionally a bit of sugar for added sweetness.

Serving

Tteokbokki can be served as a main course or as a side dish to accompany a larger meal. You can serve it with kimchi, pickled radish or other condiments. For more details and tips on how to make the perfect tteokbokki, visit Maangchi’s Tteokbokki recipe.

Happy cooking!