Ryu Soo-young’s Nostalgic ‘Hanpan’ Rice Cake Skewers
Just Like Childhood Snacks! How to Make Ryu Soo-young’s ‘Hanpan’ Rice Cake Skewers | A Newlywed’s Table
Do you remember the tteok-kkochi (rice cake skewers) you used to buy from street vendors? Inspired by Ryu Soo-young’s ‘Hanpan Tteok-kkochi’ from the show ‘Pyeonstaurant’, I decided to recreate this simple yet delicious recipe. It’s a special treat perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
Main Ingredients- Tteokbokki rice cakes (enough for 1 ‘hanpan’, approx. 300-400g)
- Green onion 1/2 stalk
Batter for Frying- Water 120ml
- All-purpose flour 3 Tbsp
- Salt a pinch
Sweet and Spicy Tteok-kkochi Sauce- Sugar 4 Tbsp
- Perilla oil 3 Tbsp
- Ketchup 3 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Water 120ml
- All-purpose flour 3 Tbsp
- Salt a pinch
Sweet and Spicy Tteok-kkochi Sauce- Sugar 4 Tbsp
- Perilla oil 3 Tbsp
- Ketchup 3 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare enough tteokbokki rice cakes for one ‘hanpan’ (a large, flat pan). About 300-400g, or one standard package, is usually sufficient. Finely chop 1/2 stalk of green onion.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the batter to fry the rice cakes until golden brown. Pour 120ml of water into a bowl.
Step 3
Add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Whisk until there are no lumps.
Step 4
Stir until the flour is fully incorporated and no dry spots remain. This simple batter is now complete. It should be neither too thin nor too thick.
Step 5
Next, we’ll make the sweet and spicy sauce, which is the heart of the tteok-kkochi. Start by measuring out 4 tablespoons of sugar.
Step 6
Add 2 tablespoons of gochujang to bring in that spicy kick.
Step 7
For a touch of sweet and tangy flavor that even kids will love, add 3 tablespoons of ketchup.
Step 8
Finally, add 3 tablespoons of perilla oil for a rich, nutty aroma. (Vegetable oil can be used if perilla oil is unavailable, but perilla oil offers a superior flavor.)
Step 9
Whisk all the sauce ingredients together with a whisk or spoon until well combined. Your delicious tteok-kkochi sauce is ready! Making it ahead of time can save you time later.
Step 10
Now, let’s get cooking! Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a frying pan. Arrange the prepared tteokbokki rice cakes around the edges of the pan. Try to leave some space between them so they don’t stick together.
Step 11
Sprinkle the chopped green onions among the rice cakes. The subtle sweetness and aroma of the green onions will complement the skewers wonderfully.
Step 12
Once the rice cakes and green onions start to cook, pour the prepared batter evenly over the pan, covering the rice cakes and green onions. Aim to have them slightly submerged in the batter.
Step 13
Cook over medium-low heat, flipping occasionally, until the rice cakes and batter are golden brown on both sides. The key is to get them crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Step 14
Once they are beautifully browned and cooked through, you can lightly pat them with a paper towel to remove excess oil, or simply gather them to one side of the pan.
Step 15
Now it’s time to generously coat the cooked rice cakes with the prepared sauce. Use a brush or spoon to ensure the sauce is evenly spread over each rice cake.
Step 16
Finally, sprinkle sesame seeds generously – perhaps more than you think you need! – all over the top. This creates a visually appealing and incredibly tasty ‘Hanpan Tteok-kkochi’! Enjoy them while they’re warm for the best flavor.
