Chewy Rice Cakes and Crispy Dumplings Gangjeong: A Mild and Delicious Recipe for Kids
Perfect Kid’s Snack! Easy and Delicious Non-Spicy Tteok Mandu Gangjeong Recipe
After making tteokbokki, I had some leftover rice cakes and decided to combine them with dumplings to make a sweet and savory gangjeong (candied skewers). This recipe uses simple ingredients and is quick to prepare, making it an ideal snack for children. The delightful combination of chewy rice cakes and crispy fried dumplings coated in a sweet sauce is sure to be a hit. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a fun treat, give this easy recipe a try!
Main Ingredients- Rice cakes (tteok): 2 handfuls (use short-grain or long-grain rice cakes)
- Frozen dumplings: 5 pieces (feel free to add more to your liking)
- Sesame seeds: a sprinkle (for added nutty flavor)
Sweet and Savory Gangjeong Sauce- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): 1 Tbsp (mild variety recommended)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): 1 Tbsp (for color and depth)
- Sugar: 3.5 Tbsp (the sweetness base!)
- Oligodang (corn syrup): 1 Tbsp (for gloss and smoother texture)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): 1 Tbsp (mild variety recommended)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): 1 Tbsp (for color and depth)
- Sugar: 3.5 Tbsp (the sweetness base!)
- Oligodang (corn syrup): 1 Tbsp (for gloss and smoother texture)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the rice cakes. Soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes until they become soft and pliable. This step ensures they’ll be perfectly chewy and delicious when fried or stir-fried.
Step 2
While the rice cakes are soaking, let’s make the delicious gangjeong sauce! In a bowl, combine 3.5 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of gochugaru.
Step 3
Next, add 1 tablespoon of gochujang and 1 tablespoon of oligodang. Whisk everything together thoroughly until well combined and smooth. It’s important to mix the sauce until it’s lump-free.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to fry the rice cakes! Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Drain the soaked rice cakes thoroughly, shaking off excess water. Removing as much moisture as possible is crucial to prevent oil splattering and to achieve a crispy texture.
Step 5
Add the prepared rice cakes and dumplings to the hot oil. Fry them until the rice cakes are golden brown and slightly puffed, and the dumplings are golden and cooked through. You’ll know they’re ready when you hear a satisfying sizzle and the dumplings look plump and crispy.
Step 6
Once the rice cakes and dumplings are nicely fried, reduce the heat to low. Pour the prepared gangjeong sauce into the pan. Stir continuously, cooking gently until the sugar in the sauce is fully dissolved and it begins to bubble slightly. Avoid high heat to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 7
The key to a perfect tteok mandu gangjeong is to keep stirring while the sauce coats the rice cakes and dumplings evenly. If you’re using cheese-filled rice cakes, the cheese might melt out as they fry, adding an extra layer of creamy, cheesy flavor!
Step 8
Finally, transfer the coated rice cakes and dumplings to a serving plate. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds for a finishing touch. Your delicious, mild tteok mandu gangjeong is ready to be enjoyed – a perfect treat for kids!
