Spicy and Sweet Tteokbokki: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Making Delicious Tteokbokki at Home: An Easy Recipe for Beginners
Discover the secrets to making authentic Korean Tteokbokki right in your own kitchen. This recipe balances spicy and sweet flavors with chewy rice cakes, perfect for a delightful snack or meal. Easy enough for beginners!
Tteokbokki Ingredients- 13 pieces of cylinder rice cakes (tteok) (adjust quantity to your preference)
- 3 sheets of flat fish cakes (eomuk), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 stalk of green onion, sliced diagonally
Tteokbokki Sauce- 300ml anchovy-kelp broth (adds depth of flavor)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, adjust for spice level)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and heat)
- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce (enhances savory notes)
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce or tuna extract (for umami)
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup or oligodang (for sweetness and gloss)
- 300ml anchovy-kelp broth (adds depth of flavor)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, adjust for spice level)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and heat)
- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce (enhances savory notes)
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce or tuna extract (for umami)
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup or oligodang (for sweetness and gloss)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by rinsing the cylinder rice cakes (tteok) and flat fish cakes (eomuk) lightly under cold water. This removes any excess starch from the rice cakes and cools down the fish cakes. Place the rinsed tteok and eomuk into a pot or pan. Pour in the prepared anchovy-kelp broth (300ml). Add all the sauce ingredients: gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, fish sauce, and corn syrup. Stir well until the sauce is completely dissolved and lump-free.
Step 2
Now, bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat. Cook until the rice cakes become soft and chewy, and the fish cakes are tender, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat everything beautifully. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice cakes from sticking to the bottom of the pot. You’ll notice the sauce becoming richer and more glossy as it reduces.
Step 3
Once the tteokbokki has reached your desired consistency and the flavors have melded, add the diagonally sliced green onions. Continue to simmer for another minute or two. The green onions will release their fresh aroma, adding another layer of complexity to the Tteokbokki. Cook just until the green onions are slightly softened.
Step 4
Transfer the delicious Tteokbokki to a serving bowl. Garnish if desired. Enjoy this classic Korean comfort food piping hot! It’s wonderful on its own or served with additions like boiled eggs, ramen noodles, or fried snacks for an even more satisfying meal.
