Sweet & Savory Black Bean Tteokbokki: A Delicious Fusion Recipe
A Popular Korean Street Food Snack: Black Bean Tteokbokki
Learn how to make a unique and flavorful black bean tteokbokki. This recipe offers a delightful twist on the classic, using a savory black bean sauce instead of spicy gochujang, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Black Bean Tteokbokki Ingredients- 1.5 bowls Tteokbokki rice cakes (approx. 300g)
- 1 sheet Fish cakes (eomuk)
- 1/4 Onion
- 1 piece Green onion (approx. 10cm)
- 2-3 cloves Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Roasted Chunjang (Korean black bean paste)
- 2/3 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Slurry (1/2 Tbsp cornstarch + 1/2 Tbsp water)
- 1.5 cups Water (standard measuring cup)
Roasted Chunjang Ingredients (for deeper flavor)- 200g Chunjang (Korean black bean paste for noodles)
- 1.5 cups Cooking oil (paper cup measure)
- 200g Chunjang (Korean black bean paste for noodles)
- 1.5 cups Cooking oil (paper cup measure)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by soaking the tteokbokki rice cakes in cold water for about 10 minutes. This softens them, reducing cooking time and ensuring a chewy texture. Slice the fish cakes into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3cm wide). Thinly slice the onion into strips. Lightly smash the whole garlic cloves with the side of a knife and then roughly mince them. Preparing your ingredients beforehand makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Now, it’s time to prepare the star of this dish: the roasted chunjang. Gather 200g of chunjang and about 1.5 cups of cooking oil (measured with a paper cup).
Step 3
In a deep pan or pot, pour in the 1.5 cups of cooking oil and heat it over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the 200g of chunjang and start stirring.
Step 4
Stir-fry the chunjang in the oil, almost like deep-frying it. Initially, cook for about 2 minutes over medium heat. As the paste starts to break down and foam, reduce the heat to low. Continue to stir constantly to prevent burning, and fry for another 1-2 minutes. Roasting the chunjang properly removes any bitterness and develops a rich, nutty aroma. The key is to use plenty of oil relative to the chunjang, allowing it to fry evenly.
Step 5
After roasting, strain the chunjang through a sieve to drain the excess oil. Reserve about 1-2 tablespoons of this flavored oil; it will be used later for sautéing and adding extra depth to the sauce. Using this infused oil enhances the black bean flavor significantly.
Step 6
Now, let’s build the black bean sauce. In a clean pan, heat the reserved 1-2 tablespoons of chunjang-infused oil over low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until it turns a light golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this will make the sauce bitter. Once the garlic is fragrant, add the sliced onions and green onions. Stir-fry until the onions become translucent.
Step 7
Once the onions and green onions are softened, add the roasted chunjang (2 Tbsp) and sugar (2/3 Tbsp) to the pan. Stir everything together and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the flavors to meld. Adding sugar at this stage helps to balance the richness of the chunjang and adds a touch of sweetness.
Step 8
When the aromatics are well-fried, pour in 1.5 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Once the water is bubbling, add the pre-soaked tteokbokki rice cakes. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the rice cakes are soft and chewy. Then, add the sliced fish cakes and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing them to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Step 9
To achieve a thicker consistency, prepare the slurry. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 Tbsp of cornstarch with 1/2 Tbsp of water until smooth. Gradually pour this slurry into the simmering tteokbokki while stirring continuously. Cook until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, then turn off the heat. (Optional: You can skip this step if you prefer a thinner sauce. The tteokbokki will still be delicious without the slurry).
Step 10
And there you have it – your delicious Black Bean Tteokbokki is ready! Serve it hot and enjoy the glossy, savory goodness. It’s a perfect snack for kids or a satisfying treat whenever you crave something unique and flavorful.
