Tteokbokki: Spicy Korean Rice Cakes

Introduction

Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food known for its spicy and chewy rice cakes. This dish has gained worldwide popularity for its unique flavor profile, making it a favorite among food enthusiasts. Tteokbokki is a staple in Korean cuisine, often enjoyed as a snack or a meal.

Ingredients

To make authentic Tteokbokki at home, you will need the following ingredients:
– 1 pound of cylinder-shaped rice cakes (tteok)
– 2 cups of water
– 3-4 cups of anchovy broth or water
– 5-6 dried anchovies (optional)
– 6-7 large dried kelp pieces (optional)
– ½ onion, sliced
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon of sugar
– 2 tablespoons of gochujang (Korean red chili pepper paste)
– 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon of gochugaru (Korean red chili pepper flakes)
– 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
– 2 hard-boiled eggs (optional)
– 4 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
– 1 cup of cabbage, chopped (optional)
– Sesame seeds and roasted seaweed flakes for garnish

Directions

1. In a medium-sized pot, combine the water, anchovy broth (or water), dried anchovies, and dried kelp. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes to make a flavorful broth. Remove the anchovies and kelp.
2. Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, sugar, gochujang, soy sauce, and gochugaru to the broth. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the rice cakes to the pot and simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the rice cakes are soft and chewy.
4. Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a separate pan and stir-fry the cabbage until slightly softened.
5. Add the cabbage, green onions, and hard-boiled eggs to the pot with the rice cakes. Stir gently to incorporate the ingredients.
6. Once everything is heated through and well combined, remove from heat.
7. Serve the Tteokbokki hot, garnished with sesame seeds and roasted seaweed flakes.

Enjoy the bold, spicy flavors of homemade Tteokbokki, a beloved dish that captures the essence of Korean street food culture.

FAQs about Tteokbokki: Spicy Korean Rice Cakes

What is Tteokbokki?

Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food dish made with chewy rice cakes combined with a spicy, slightly sweet red chili paste sauce.

How spicy is Tteokbokki?

Tteokbokki’s spiciness level can vary, but it is typically known for its moderate to high level of heat due to the gochujang (Korean red chili paste) used in the sauce.

What are the key ingredients in Tteokbokki?

The main ingredients in Tteokbokki include rice cakes (tteok), gochujang (red chili paste), soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sometimes fish cakes or boiled eggs.

Is Tteokbokki gluten-free?

While the base ingredients of Tteokbokki are gluten-free, it’s essential to check the labels of the specific ingredients used, as some brands of gochujang and soy sauce may contain gluten.

How is Tteokbokki served?

Tteokbokki is traditionally served hot in a spicy sauce, often accompanied by boiled eggs, fish cakes, and sometimes sliced scallions or sesame seeds as