Sweet and Spicy Tteokbokki (Korean Rice Cakes)
The Ultimate Tteokbokki Recipe: Missing That ‘Something Special’? This is it!
Ever found your homemade tteokbokki lacking that certain something, that perfect street-food flavor? This recipe is designed to replicate the beloved taste of tteokbokki from your favorite snack bars, right in your own kitchen! With a balanced blend of seasonings, you’ll achieve that authentic, craveable flavor. Get ready to make the best tteokbokki ever!
Tteokbokki Ingredients- 1 handful of Tteokbokki rice cakes (garaetteok or similar, approx. 200g)
- 2-3 sheets of fish cakes (eomuk)
- 1/2 stalk of green onion
- 2 cups of water (approx. 400ml)
Sauce Ingredients- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2/3 Tbsp Dashida (or other beef/anchovy bouillon powder) for umami
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp MSG (Miwon)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup) for gloss and sweetness
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2/3 Tbsp Dashida (or other beef/anchovy bouillon powder) for umami
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp MSG (Miwon)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup) for gloss and sweetness
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a wide pot, add the washed tteokbokki rice cakes (about 200g) and the fish cakes cut into bite-sized pieces (2-3 sheets). Add the green onion, cut into 3-4cm lengths. Pour in 2 cups (approx. 400ml) of water, ensuring the ingredients are submerged.
Step 2
Directly into the pot with the rice cakes, fish cakes, and green onions, add the sauce ingredients that will create that perfect street food flavor. Add 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 2/3 Tbsp Dashida for that savory depth, 2 Tbsp sugar for sweetness, 1 Tbsp gochujang as the spicy base, and finally, 1 tsp MSG (Miwon) to enhance the overall flavor profile. Stir well with chopsticks or a ladle until the gochujang is dissolved and the seasonings are evenly distributed in the water.
Step 3
Once the seasonings are well mixed, add 1 Tbsp of oligodang (corn or rice syrup). This will give the tteokbokki a beautiful sheen and a balanced sweetness. Stir again to ensure all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. This sauce will cling beautifully to the rice cakes as it simmers, creating a delicious final dish.
Step 4
Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts bubbling vigorously and the rice cakes soften, reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the rice cakes. Once the tteokbokki has absorbed the flavors, it’s ready! Serve immediately and enjoy this comforting Korean favorite.
