Tteokbokki: A Spicy Korean Rice Cake Dish
Tteokbokki is a popular Korean dish made with chewy rice cakes, called tteok, in a spicy sauce. It is a beloved street food and a staple dish in Korean cuisine.
History of Tteokbokki
The exact origins of tteokbokki are unknown, but it is believed to have originated in the late 19th century during the Joseon Dynasty. It was initially a royal court dish called “gungjung tteokbokki” made with expensive ingredients like abalone and ginseng.
Over time, tteokbokki became more accessible to the general public and evolved into the spicy street food version we know today. It gained popularity in the 1950s when street vendors began selling it as a cheap and filling snack.
Preparation of Tteokbokki
Ingredients:
- 500g tteok (Korean rice cakes)
- 1 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 cup gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1/2 carrot, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- Optional: hard-boiled eggs, fish cakes, or kimchi
Instructions:
- Prepare the rice cakes: Cut the tteok into bite-sized pieces. If using frozen tteok, thaw it first.
- Make the sauce: In a large bowl, combine the gochujang, gochugaru, water, sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix well to form a thick paste.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the rice cakes and sauce: Add the tteok to the skillet and stir to coat with the sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the tteok has softened and absorbed the sauce.
- Add the green onions: Stir in the green onions and cook for an additional minute.
- Optional additions: If desired, add hard-boiled eggs, fish cakes, or kimchi at this point.
- Serve immediately: Tteokbokki is best served hot with a side of kimchi or pickled radish.
Tips:
- For a spicier tteokbokki, add more gochugaru to taste.
- If you don’t have gochujang, you can substitute with a combination of tomato paste, chili powder, and soy sauce.
- Tteokbokki can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- It is a versatile dish that can be customized with various toppings and ingredients.
Enjoy this delicious and authentic Korean dish!
