Tteokbokki
떡볶이 · Chewy rice cakes simmered in a sweet and fiery gochujang sauce
Tteokbokki (떡볶이) is Korea's best-loved street snack: chewy cylinders of rice cake simmered in a thick, glossy, sweet and spicy red sauce. It became a classic in Seoul, where it is sold from street stalls and snack bars in every neighbourhood. Street versions use anchovy stock and fish cakes; this vegan version uses a quick kelp and shiitake stock with cabbage and spring onions, and has all the same punch. Eat it hot, while the rice cakes are soft and stretchy. Chef's tip: keep stirring and scrape the bottom; the rice cakes release starch that thickens the sauce but also catches. The sauce is right when it clings to the spoon in a glossy coat.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
For the stock
For the tteokbokki
To serve
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: If 1 ⅛ lb cylinder rice cakes (garae-tteok) are hard from the fridge, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes while you make the stock, then drain.
Step 2: Put 2 cups water, 1 piece dried kelp (dasima) and 2 dried shiitake mushrooms in a wide shallow pan and bring to a simmer over a medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes, then lift out the kelp and mushrooms. Slice the mushrooms and put them back.
7 minStep 3: Stir 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chilli paste), 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes), 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp sugar and 2 cloves garlic into the stock until dissolved.
Step 4: Add the rice cakes, 3 ½ oz white cabbage and ½ onion and bring to the boil. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring often so the rice cakes don't stick to the pan, until they are soft all the way through and the sauce has thickened and turned glossy. Taste a rice cake: it should be soft and chewy right through with no hard centre.
10 minStep 5: Add 3 spring onions and cook for 1 minute more. If the sauce gets too thick before the rice cakes are soft, add a splash of water.
1 minStep 6: Scatter with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and serve straight away.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 470 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 104 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tteokbokki take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of dried shiitake mushrooms?
- Aubergine, diced, same weight.
- What can I use instead of soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
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