Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
Tteokbokki is a Korean dish made from small, cylinder-shaped rice cakes, fish cake, and a spicy sauce made from gochujang (red chili paste). It is a popular street food and a staple in Korean cuisine, often served as a snack or a main dish. It can be garnished with green onions, boiled eggs, and other ingredients. Tteokbokki has a chewy texture and a sweet and spicy flavor.
You can buy Tteok (Korean rice cakes) at most Asian grocers and even at Trader Joe's!
- 2 bags Frozen tteok (rice cakes) (log shapped, about 2 lbs)
- 8 ounces Beefstake or pork (thinly sliced)
- 4 tablespoons Toasted seasame oil
- 1-2 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1.5 cup Water (or stock)
- 4-5 tablespoons Gochujang
- 1 Onion (small), minced
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 2-4 Scallions
- Toasted seasame seeds
- 1-2 tablespoon Sugar
- Fish cakes
- Pre-cooked ramen noodles
- Hard boiled eggs
- 3 cups Vegetables, such as carrot, zuchini, cabbage
- Making the Tteokbokki
Step 1: Cook the rice cakes for about 10 minutes (until tender), and set aside. If they stick, stir in cold water.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix together beef (or whatever meat), half the soy sauce, sesame oil, and half the garlic.
Step 3: Heat a wok or skillet over high heat and add the meat mixture. Stir-fry until lightly browned (5 minutes), then add the onion, scallions, and veggies (cabbage, zucchini, and carrot, if using) and continue stir-frying until crisp-tender and lightly browned (2 to 3 minutes).
Step 4: To the mixture, add the sauce (gochujang, red pepper flakes, sugar, and the remaining soy sauce and garlic, mixed together) and 2/3 cup water (optional, stir anchovy paste into the water for flavor). Let it simmer until the sauce thickens (add water as needed). Adjust the seasonings to taste with sugar and gochujang.
Step 5. Stir in the rice and fish cakes, until evenly coated.
Step 6: Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired. Top with scallions, and sesame seeds. Optional: add pre-cooked noodles, boiled eggs, or whatever before serving. Enjoy!