Spicy and Sweet Tteokbokki: A Korean Comfort Food Classic
Super Simple & Delicious Tteokbokki Recipe
Create restaurant-quality Tteokbokki right at home! This recipe shares the secret to making everyone’s favorite spicy and sweet rice cakes easily and quickly. We’ve included tips for adjusting the spice and sweetness, so give this wonderful snack a try for your next treat!
Main Ingredients- 15 rice cakes (tteok) (frozen or fresh)
- 1 rectangular fish cake (eomuk)
- A small bunch of scallions
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligodang)
- 0.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cups water (approx. 360ml)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligodang)
- 0.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cups water (approx. 360ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If using frozen rice cakes, soak them in cool running water for about 5 minutes before cooking. This will soften them and help them absorb the sauce better, making them even more delicious.
Step 2
In a pot, add 2 cups of water (approx. 360ml). Stir in 1 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp corn syrup, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 1 Tbsp soy sauce. Whisk well to ensure the seasonings are dissolved and there are no clumps. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat.
Step 3
Once the sauce is bubbling vigorously, add all the prepared rice cakes. Cook over medium heat until the rice cakes become soft and chewy. Stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 4
When the rice cakes are tender, cut the rectangular fish cake into bite-sized pieces (triangles or strips) and add them to the pot. Continue to simmer. The fish cake will add more flavor to the sauce as it cooks with the rice cakes.
Step 5
As the fish cake starts to float to the surface, reduce the heat to low. Stir in 0.5 Tbsp of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to add a spicy kick and depth of flavor. Be careful to stir gently after adding the chili flakes to prevent the tteokbokki from burning.
Step 6
Finally, add the chopped scallions and let it simmer on low heat for another 2 minutes. Adding scallions at the end preserves their fresh aroma. Taste the tteokbokki and if it’s not salty enough, add a tiny pinch of salt. If you prefer it sweeter, you can add a little more sugar (or reduce the sugar amount if you prefer less sweetness).
Step 7
Serve the perfectly cooked Tteokbokki in a bowl for a delightful snack that everyone will love! Isn’t it amazing how such simple ingredients can create such a delicious dish? Enjoy your homemade Tteokbokki!
