Spicy & Sweet Pork Stir-fry with Rice Cakes (Tteok-Jeyuk Bokkeum)
The Perfect Combination: Savory Pork Stir-fry with Chewy Rice Cakes
Craving something hearty and flavorful? This Tteok-Jeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Pork Stir-fry with Rice Cakes) is sure to hit the spot! Tender pork and chewy rice cakes are coated in a delicious, spicy-sweet sauce, making it an irresistible dish that pairs perfectly with rice. If you prefer not to handle raw meat directly, marinating it in a plastic bag is a convenient alternative. Preparing the sauce in advance allows for quick and easy cooking anytime. The key to this dish is simmering it until the sauce thickens slightly, ensuring the rice cakes absorb all the wonderful flavors. Make your dinner table a happy place with this satisfying Tteok-Jeyuk Bokkeum!
Main Ingredients
- Pork (leg or belly) 400g
- Onion 1/2 medium
- Rice cakes for stir-fry (tteokbokki tteok) 7-8 pieces (or desired amount)
- Green onion 1/2 stalk
Seasoning Ingredients
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) or Doubanjiang 1 Tbsp (for deeper flavor)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking wine) 3 Tbsp
- Corn syrup or rice syrup 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Minced green onion 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Ginger powder 1 tsp (or a little fresh ginger juice)
- Black pepper to taste
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) or Doubanjiang 1 Tbsp (for deeper flavor)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking wine) 3 Tbsp
- Corn syrup or rice syrup 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Minced green onion 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Ginger powder 1 tsp (or a little fresh ginger juice)
- Black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the pork (leg or belly). In a bowl, combine the pork with all the seasoning ingredients: Gochujang (2 Tbsp), Doenjang/Doubanjiang (1 Tbsp), Gochugaru (1 Tbsp), Soy sauce (1 Tbsp), Mirin (3 Tbsp), Corn syrup (1 Tbsp), Sugar (1 Tbsp), Minced garlic (1 Tbsp), Minced green onion (1 Tbsp), Sesame oil (1 Tbsp), Ginger powder (1 tsp), and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well, gently massaging the marinade into the meat to ensure it’s evenly coated. If you prefer not to touch raw meat directly, you can place all the ingredients into a zip-top bag and shake to combine.
Step 2
Slice the onion and add it to the marinated pork. Mix everything together. For the best flavor, let the marinated pork rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight. This allows the marinade to deeply penetrate the meat, resulting in a much more delicious stir-fry.
Step 3
Heat about 1/2 cup (100ml) of water in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once the water boils, add the marinated pork and the rice cakes. Stir-fry the mixture, allowing the pork to cook and the rice cakes to soften. A quick rinse of the rice cakes in cold water beforehand can help prevent them from sticking together.
Step 4
Continue to stir-fry, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken until it coats the ingredients nicely. This is when the rice cakes will absorb all the delicious flavors. Finally, slice the green onion diagonally and add it to the pan, stir-frying for another minute until fragrant. Your delicious Tteok-Jeyuk Bokkeum is ready to be enjoyed! Serve hot with rice for a satisfying meal.
