Tteokbokki, also known as ddeokbokki or topokki, is a popular Korean street food made with chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy and slightly sweet sauce. A step-by-step guide to making tteokbokki:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cylinder-shaped rice cakes (tteok)
- 2 cups of water
- 5-6 dried anchovies (optional, for making broth)
- 1 piece of dried kelp (optional, for making broth)
- 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
- 2-3 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
- 2 tablespoons of gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil (optional)
- 1 boiled egg (optional, for topping)
- 1 sheet of roasted seaweed (optional, for topping)
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Rice Cakes:
1.1. If your rice cakes are hard, soak them in warm water for about 20-30 minutes to soften them. Drain before using.
2. Make Anchovy Broth (Optional):
2.1. In a small pot, add 2 cups of water, dried anchovies, and a piece of dried kelp.
2.2. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to create a flavorful broth. Remove the anchovies and kelp, and set the broth aside. If you're not using the anchovy broth, you can substitute with plain water.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
3.1. In a mixing bowl, combine gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes), gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and sesame oil (if using). Mix well to form a thick paste.
4. Cook the Tteokbokki:
4.1. In a large pan or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
4.2. Add the sliced onions and sauté for a few minutes until they become translucent.
4.3. Pour in the anchovy broth (or water if you're not using the broth).
4.4. Stir in the prepared sauce mixture and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4.5. Add the rice cakes to the simmering sauce. Cook them for about 7-10 minutes, or until they become soft and chewy. Stir occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.
4.6. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little more water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
5. Add Green Onions:
5.1. Add the green onion pieces to the tteokbokki and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until they are slightly wilted.
6. Serve:
6.1. Transfer the tteokbokki to a serving dish.
6.2. Garnish with sliced boiled egg and roasted seaweed, if desired.
7. Enjoy:
7.1. Tteokbokki is best enjoyed hot and fresh. Serve it as a snack or side dish, and enjoy the spicy, sweet, and chewy goodness!
Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness and sweetness according to your taste. Tteokbokki is a versatile dish, and you can also add other ingredients like fish cakes or vegetables to make it your own.