How to Prepare Korea's Favourite Fast Food for Home: The Tteokbokki Recipe

Introduction

Food lovers everywhere enjoy Korean cuisine, and tteokbokki is a must-try dish. Valued for its dip and sweet sauce, this specific street food is admired by many people. Spice lovers will definitely enjoy this delicacy. This tteokbokki recipe is perfect whether you are a seasoned pro or someone trying to make Korean food for the first time.

What is Tteokbokki?

Tteokbokki (떡볶이) is a Korean dish that features chewy rice cakes (tteok) stewed in a sweet-spicy sauce, usually mixed with gochujang (Korean red chili paste). It is a staple from street kiosks and the “hole in the wall” eateries common throughout Korea. It is heartwarming, like a steaming hug on gloomy winter days, and packed with mesmerizing flavors.

Tteokbokki has countless other adaptations, such as with cheese, ramen noodles, or even seafood, but this recipe sticks to the roots of the very first one.

Why You'll Love This Tteokbokki Recipe

• Let’s take a look at a few more types.

• Its simple parts and clear instructions make it a great option for beginners.

• You can increase or reduce the spices, and add more toppings, or leave them off as per personal preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Here’s what you’ll need for a basic tteokbokki recipe (servings: 2 - 3 people):

• Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) Korean rice cakes (tteok)

• 4 cups water

• 1 sheet dried kelp (dashima) or anchovy stock pack (optional for more flavor)

• 1/2 cup Korean fish cakes (eomuk), sliced

• 1/2 medium onion, sliced

• Two chopped green onions and one optional cooked egg

• Ingredients for Sauce:

•  

• Two teaspoons of gochujang, or red chili paste from Korea

• One tablespoon of Korean chili flakes, or gochugaru, if desired for more spiciness

• Soy sauce on a spoon

• A dollop of sugar

• 1 teaspoon of finely chopped garlic

How to Make Tteokbokki: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Rice Cakes

Rice biscuits that have become cold within the freezer should be soaked in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes to soften them. After draining, set away. 

Step 2: Make the broth in step two.

Bring 4 cups of water to an even boil using a big kettle of pan. Add the dried kelp or anchovy stock pack and let simmer for 10 minutes. Once the broth is ready, remove the kelp or the stock pack.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce

Put the gochujang in a small bowl with the gochugaru (if using), sugar, the sake, and garlic. Stir until smooth.

Step 4: Cooking Tteokbokki

Pour the sauce into the broth and mix well. Add the fish sweets, rice cake, and slices of onion. Cook on a low flame for 10 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the rice cakes are cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

In the last 2-3 minutes of Tteokbokki, add green onions. You may also add a boiled egg for a traditional touch. Serve hot and enjoy immediately.

Optional Add-Ins and Variations

• Cheese Tteokbokki: Enhance the dish by sprinkling shredded mozzarella and allowing it to melt prior to serving.

• Ramen Tteokbokki (Rabokki): For a heartier meal, stir in instant noodles into the sauce.

• Seafood Tteokbokki: Add a delicious twist by including shrimp, squid, or mussels.

• Vegetarian Version: Omit fish cakes and add vegetable broth instead.

Tips for the Best Tteokbokki

• Use Fresh Rice Cakes: For optimal texture, use fresh tteok. If \frozen, soak thoroughly before cooking.

• Adjust the Spice Level: To suit your heat tolerance, reduce gochugaru or sugar.

• Don’t Overcook: To keep the rice cakes from adhering to the bottom of the pan, be sure to frequently stir.

Where to Find Ingredients

Most of the ingredients can be found at your nearby Asian or Korean grocery store. A lot of them can be found online too, particularly Korean rice cakes, gochujang, and gochugaru.

Final Thoughts

This tteokbokki recipe will set you off in the right direction to try quintessential Korean street food right in the comfort of your home. The dish is spicy, satisfying, and absolutely delectable. Whether it is a quiet solo night in, or a gathering with friends and family, always steals the show.

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