Spicy ‘YeopDdeok’ (Stir-fried Rice Cakes) – The Ultimate Stress Buster!
No Knife Needed! Homemade ‘YeopDdeok’ That’s Surprisingly Delicious!
After successfully completing my first practical exam for my certification studies today, I made this super spicy ‘YeopDdeok’ to relieve some stress! Since I’m in a dorm, many ingredients are unavailable, so I used the absolute minimum required. I didn’t make a separate broth because I’m going home in two weeks and buying anchovies for stock seemed a bit much. (Of course, using broth would add a deeper flavor!) Mozzarella cheese would be great too, but small packages are very expensive, so I just used the cheese I had on hand. Hehe. Anyway, if you want to break a sweat and then enjoy a refreshing shower, I highly recommend this dish!
Main Ingredients
- 300g Tteok (Rice cakes – both mill tteok and plain rice tteok work well)
- 6 Sausages (Vienna sausages, for plenty)
- 54g Spam or Luncheon meat (Cut into cubes or scooped large with a spoon, about 6 pieces)
- 2 sheets Fish cakes (Cut into bite-sized pieces)
Spicy & Sweet Sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste – for the base spiciness)
- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – add more to your preference for extra heat)
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced (Adds depth of flavor)
- 4 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn syrup – for shine and sweetness)
- 4 Tbsp Sugar (Balances the sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce (For umami)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste – for the base spiciness)
- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – add more to your preference for extra heat)
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced (Adds depth of flavor)
- 4 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn syrup – for shine and sweetness)
- 4 Tbsp Sugar (Balances the sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce (For umami)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s make the signature spicy and sweet sauce for ‘YeopDdeok’! In a bowl, combine the gochujang, gochugaru, minced garlic, oligodang, sugar, and soy sauce. Mix thoroughly until there are no lumps. (Tip: If you don’t have gochugaru, using about 1 Tbsp of California red pepper flakes can achieve a similar level of heat!)
Step 2
Next, prepare the ingredients for the tteokbokki. Rinse the rice cakes. For the sausages, you can make slits or use them as is. For Spam or luncheon meat, use a spoon to scoop out large portions and divide them into about 6 pieces for a more appealing look. Cut the fish cakes into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3
In a wide pot, add about 300ml of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the rice cakes and cook for about 3 minutes. It’s important to watch the time so the rice cakes don’t become too mushy.
Step 4
Once the rice cakes are slightly cooked, add the prepared sausages, fish cakes, and Spam (or luncheon meat) to the pot. Then, stir in the pre-made sauce, ensuring it coats all the ingredients evenly.
Step 5
Now, let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your liking. If it’s not salty enough, add a little more soy sauce or sugar. If you prefer it spicier, add more gochugaru. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the sauce to fully penetrate the tteok.
Step 6
Your delicious ‘YeopDdeok’ is now complete! (Tip: Instead of Grana Padano, melting a generous amount of mozzarella cheese on top at the end makes it look much more appetizing and creates a fantastic harmony between the spicy tteokbokki and the creamy cheese!)
