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Spicy Korean Tteokbokki

Spicy Korean Tteokbokki

Spicy Korean Tteokbokki is a bold and flavorful Korean street food featuring soft, chewy rice cakes simmered in a rich, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce made with gochujang and gochugaru. This quick and easy recipe is perfect as a snack or meal, customizable to your preferred spice level and dietary needs, delivering a comforting and satisfying taste of Korea’s vibrant cuisine.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 300g Rice Cakes (Tteok), cylindrical and soft
  • 1 tablespoon Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste)
  • 1 teaspoon Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
  • 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar or Corn Syrup
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 cup Water or Broth
  • 2 Green Onions, sliced

Optional Add-ins

  • 100g Fish Cakes, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Mozzarella Cheese, for topping
  • Shrimp, squid, or mussels (for seafood variation)
  • Tofu or mushrooms (for vegetarian/vegan style)
  • Ramen or instant noodles (for noodle variation)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Soak the rice cakes in warm water for 10-15 minutes if refrigerated or hard. Chop the green onions and mince the garlic. If using fish cakes, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic. Mix well until you have a smooth, vibrant red sauce base.
  3. Cook the Rice Cakes: In a large skillet or pan, bring water or broth to a gentle boil. Add the soaked rice cakes and fish cakes, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the rice cakes become soft and chewy.
  4. Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the pan with the rice cakes. Stir well to coat everything evenly, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors combine.
  5. Finish and Garnish: Add the sliced green onions and cook for an additional minute. Serve immediately, optionally topped with sesame seeds, melted mozzarella cheese, or a soft-boiled egg for extra flair.

Notes

  • Use fresh rice cakes for the best texture; soak refrigerated ones before cooking.
  • Adjust sauce thickness by varying the amount of water or broth to your preference.
  • Taste and adjust the balance of heat and sweetness in the sauce before simmering.
  • Simmer gently after adding sauce to prevent burning and preserve flavor.
  • Experiment with toppings like cheese, boiled eggs, or fish cakes for extra texture and taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: Spicy Korean Tteokbokki, Tteokbokki, Korean street food, spicy rice cakes, gochujang recipe, chewy rice cakes snack