Spicy and Sweet Basic Tteokbokki
Making Delicious Tteokbokki with the Golden Ratio Sauce
When you’re unsure about the sauce ratio for Tteokbokki, here’s a super simple recipe that guarantees a crowd-pleasing taste every time.
Tteokbokki Ingredients
- Tteokbokki rice cakes 1 pack (approx. 300g)
- Fish cakes 3 sheets
- Napa cabbage or Bok choy 4 leaves
- Green onion 1/2 stalk
- Water 500ml (2 cups)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 3 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 3 Tbsp
- Sugar 3 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all ingredients.
Step 2
First, slice the green onion diagonally into about 0.5cm thick pieces. Cut the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4cm. Slice the fish cakes into triangles or rectangles as you prefer. If you are using frozen rice cakes, soak them in cold water for about 10-15 minutes before cooking until softened. Gently separate any stuck-together cakes.
Step 3
Pour 500ml of water into a pot. Add 2 Tbsp of gochujang, 3 Tbsp of soy sauce, 3 Tbsp of gochugaru, and 3 Tbsp of sugar. Stir well to dissolve. It’s a good idea to pre-mix the sauce ingredients to save cooking time and ensure the flavors meld beautifully. (Tip: Using corn syrup or rice syrup instead of sugar can add a nice sheen.)
Step 4
Bring the prepared sauce to a boil over medium heat. Once the sauce is bubbling, add the softened rice cakes and the sliced fish cakes first. If you prefer your vegetables to have a slight crunch, you can add the cabbage and green onions after the rice cakes and fish cakes have cooked for a bit. Alternatively, feel free to add all ingredients together from the start.
Step 5
Stir occasionally as it simmers to ensure the ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce. If you like your Tteokbokki with less sauce, reduce the amount of water or simmer longer to thicken. If you prefer more sauce, add a little more water. The dish is ready when the rice cakes are soft and the sauce has thickened to a delicious consistency. (Tip: Adding boiled eggs or instant ramen noodles at the end makes it an even more satisfying meal.)
Step 6
Your delicious and easy-to-make Tteokbokki is ready! Sometimes homemade Tteokbokki can be inconsistent in flavor due to the sauce ratio, but this golden ratio recipe makes it easy to achieve perfect taste every time. The spicy and sweet flavor is sure to whet your appetite.
