Spicy and Sweet Pan-Fried Rice Cakes (Gireum Tteokbokki)
Gireum Tteokbokki: The Easiest Tteokbokki Ever!
Among all tteokbokki variations, Gireum Tteokbokki is undeniably the easiest and quickest to make. Despite being stir-fried in oil, its savory and sweet spicy sauce makes it incredibly addictive and never greasy. This time, we’ve used brown rice tteokbokki cakes for a healthier and chewier bite. Enjoy this delightful dish!
Ingredients- Tteokbokki rice cakes (thinner ones are preferred)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Maesilcheong (plum syrup)
- 1/3 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/3 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- Cooking Oil (generous amount)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For Gireum Tteokbokki, thinner rice cakes are best for texture and sauce adhesion. If your tteokbokki cakes are thick, it’s recommended to cut them in half lengthwise. This helps the sauce penetrate better, resulting in a more flavorful dish. (Feel free to skip this step if you’re short on time or prefer not to.)
Step 2
In a mixing bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of maesilcheong, 1/3 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1/3 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk them together thoroughly to create the sauce. (While traditionally made with just gochugaru, adding a bit of gochujang offers a milder spice level and a smoother, richer flavor.)
Step 3
Place the prepared tteokbokki rice cakes into the bowl with the sauce. Gently toss and mix them until each piece of rice cake is evenly coated with the sauce. Letting the rice cakes marinate in the sauce for a few minutes will enhance the flavor even further.
Step 4
Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Add the sauce-coated rice cakes to the hot pan. Stir-fry over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens and clings to the rice cakes, becoming slightly caramelized. (A little bit of charring or ‘sticking’ to the pan can add a delicious crispy texture! Cook until the sauce is reduced and coats the tteok well. Finally, stir in 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds for an extra nutty aroma and flavor.
