kimchi rice cakes

How to Make Spicy Korean Rice Cakes (Tteokbokki)

Tteokbokki, a beloved Korean street food, combines chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy sauce. Here’s a simple guide to making it at home.

Ingredients: 200g cylindrical rice cakes (tteok), 100g fish cakes ( sliced), 1 onion (sliced), 2 green onions (chopped), 2-3 cloves garlic (minced), 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste), 2 tbsp gochugaru (chili flakes), 2 tbsp sugar, 4 cups water or anchovy broth, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and sesame oil (for finishing).

Steps:

1. Prep: Soak rice cakes in warm water for 10 minutes to soften. Slice fish cakes and vegetables.

2. Make Sauce: In a pot, mix gochujang, gochugaru, sugar, soy sauce, and water/stock. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

3. Cook: Add rice cakes, fish cakes, onion, and garlic. Stir gently, ensuring cakes are coated. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens and cakes turn tender.

4. Finish: Stir in green onions, drizzle with sesame oil, and adjust seasoning (add more sugar/spice if needed). Serve hot.

Tips: For extra flavor, add boiled eggs or ramyeon noodles. Enjoy this fiery, comforting dish as a snack or meal!