Soy Sauce Braised Rice Cakes with Brussels Sprouts
Savory and Sweet Soy Sauce Tteokbokki with Brussels Sprouts
A delightful twist on the classic Tteokbokki that kids will absolutely adore! This recipe incorporates Brussels sprouts for a touch of unique flavor and added nutrients. The sweet and savory soy sauce glaze perfectly coats the chewy rice cakes, creating a comforting and delicious dish. The slight bitterness of the Brussels sprouts complements the rich glaze beautifully, making this a wonderfully balanced meal.
Main Ingredients- 200g Garae-tteok (cylindrical rice cakes) or Tteokguk-tteok (rice cake soup slices), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 5 Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 10 whole garlic cloves, peeled
- A small amount of carrot (about 1/4), thinly sliced in an almond shape
- 75g Beef (stew meat or bulgogi cut), optional for added flavor
Sauce Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp Rice wine (Cheongju) or Mirin
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced scallions
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp Rice wine (Cheongju) or Mirin
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced scallions
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the rice cakes for a soft texture. If you have leftover Tteokguk-tteok or Garae-tteok from holidays, this is a great way to use them! If your rice cakes are hard, soak them in lukewarm water for about 10-20 minutes until softened. This will help them absorb the sauce better and improve their chewiness.
Step 2
Let’s make the delicious sauce for your Tteokbokki! In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp rice wine (or mirin), 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced scallions, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Whisk everything together until well combined to create your savory glaze. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your preference.
Step 3
If you’re using beef, prepare it now. Add 1 Tbsp of the prepared sauce to the beef and gently knead it in. Let it marinate for about 20 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld, making the beef tender and incredibly flavorful within the Tteokbokki. I used stewing beef for this recipe.
Step 4
Time to prep your vegetables! Peel the whole garlic cloves. Thinly slice the carrot into almond shapes (about 0.5 cm thick). For the popular Brussels sprouts, remove any loose outer leaves, rinse them, and then cut them in half. Though small, they have the same delicious flavor as regular cabbage.
Step 5
Heat a pan and add the whole garlic cloves, sliced carrots, and halved Brussels sprouts. Sauté them until they are lightly tender. Be careful not to overcook the Brussels sprouts, as they can become bitter; aim for a slightly crisp texture. While the vegetables are cooking, sear the marinated beef until the pinkness is gone. Once the beef is cooked, add the rice cakes to the pan and stir-fry them together. If the pan seems too dry, add 2-3 tablespoons of water at a time to keep things moist and prevent sticking. This will help everything cook more evenly.
Step 6
Once the rice cakes are soft and the vegetables and beef are well combined, pour in the remaining sauce. Stir and cook, allowing the sauce to coat everything evenly. Taste the Tteokbokki as it cooks. If it needs more seasoning, add a little more soy sauce or a touch more sugar to reach your desired flavor balance. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to all the ingredients. Your delicious Soy Sauce Tteokbokki is now ready to enjoy!
