Spicy Tteokbokki Recipe: A Korean Street Food Classic

Tteokbokki [Source] Busan Tourism Organization

Korean Tteokbokki: A Flavor Journey from Street Food to Global Favorite

If you're familiar with Korean cuisine, you’ve likely heard of tteokbokki. Once a humble street snack, tteokbokki has become a symbol of Korean food culture. Today, we'll explore the irresistible charm of tteokbokki and even guide you through a simple recipe to try at home!

 

The Origins of Tteokbokki

Interestingly, tteokbokki wasn't always spicy. Its roots trace back to the Joseon dynasty, where it was first enjoyed as a royal court dish. Instead of the gochujang (spicy red pepper paste) we associate with tteokbokki today, the original version was seasoned with soy sauce.

The Joseon Dynasty was a Korean royal dynasty that lasted for approximately 500 years from 1392 to 1897.

Modern spicy tteokbokki originated in the 1950s, thanks to Ma Bok-rim, a resident of Seoul's Sindang neighborhood. She experimented by adding gochujang to rice cakes, creating the iconic spicy flavor that defines tteokbokki today. Over the years, tteokbokki has transformed, evolving into unique versions like rose tteokbokki, jjajang (black bean) tteokbokki, and more. Social media has played a big role in spreading tteokbokki's appeal worldwide.

The alley in Sindang-dong, Seoul, is still famous for tteokbokki, and Ma Bok-rim’s original tteokbokki restaurant is still located there.

And no, this “rose” in rose tteokbokki isn’t the same as the flower—it’s a creamy version!

The chewy texture of rice cakes combined with a spicy-sweet sauce is what makes tteokbokki universally appealing. You can also customize it with different ingredients, making it a versatile dish loved by people around the world. Initially, many foreigners weren't used to the chewy rice cake texture, but thanks to the Korean Wave, more and more people are becoming fans.

Royal Court Tteokbokki
[Source] Korea Tourism Organization, Kin Jiho

Popular Types of Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki isn’t just limited to the traditional spicy version! Here are some popular variations, each with its own unique flavor:

Gochujang Tteokbokki: 

The classic, with a sweet and spicy sauce.

Soy Sauce Tteokbokki: 

A mild version seasoned with soy sauce, great for those who prefer a less spicy option.

Rose Tteokbokki: 

Creamy with a hint of spice, making it popular among newcomers.

Seafood Tteokbokki: 

Enhanced with squid or shrimp for a rich, umami flavor.

Seafood Tteokbokki
[Source] Korea Tourism Organization, Alex Boondo

Cheese Tteokbokki: 

Topped with cheese for a soft, savory twist on the spicy flavor.

Cheese Tteokbokki
[Source] Korea Tourism Organization, Alex Boondo

Curry Tteokbokki: 

With curry powder for an aromatic, slightly spicy flavor.

Jjajang Tteokbokki: 

Made with black bean sauce, reminiscent of jjajangmyeon (Korean black bean noodles).

Jjajang Tteokbokki
[Source] Korea Tourism Organization, Alex Boondo

Each of these variations highlights the versatility of tteokbokki, which can be customized endlessly. And of course, tteokbokki is best enjoyed with a side of tempura, soondae (Korean blood sausage), fish cake, or a ramen add-on to balance out the spice and offer a more filling meal.

Classic Tteokbokki Recipe: A Simple Guide to Making It at Home

You can easily cook your own tteokbokki at home.

Tteokbokki Side Dishes
[Source] Korea Tourism Organization, Alex Boondo

Recipe:

[Ingredients]

• 250g rice cakes (tteok), 
• 10-12 mini sausages, 
• 2-3 pieces of fish cake, 
• 1 green onion,

• 1.5 tbsp sugar, 
• 1 tbsp gochujang (red pepper paste), 
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 0.5 tbsp red pepper flakes, 
• 0.3 tbsp beef seasoning (Korean beef flavor enhancer, Dashima),
• 1 tbsp cooking oil, 
• 1 tbsp corn syrup

You can substitute sugar, gochujang, salt, red pepper flakes, beef seasoning, cooking oil and corn syrup with the tteokbokki pre-made sauce introduced below. For the simplest version, you only need water, rice cakes, green onion, and tteokbokki sauce to make tteokbokki.

[Preparation]

1. If using frozen rice cakes, soak them in lukewarm water before cooking.

2. Use fine red pepper flakes for a smoother texture.

3. Cut the fish cakes into bite-size pieces.

4. Slice green onion diagonally.

5. Make small cuts in the sausages to help them cook evenly.

[Cooking & Finishing]

6. Add 200ml of water to a pan (you can use broth for more flavor).

7. Add rice cakes and sugar first, then add the green onion and sausages.

8. Add gochujang, red pepper flakes, and beef seasoning.

9. Add fish cakes and cook on medium heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes.

You can add rice cakes, sugar, green onion, sausages, gochujang, red pepper flakes, and beef seasoning all at once, without any particular order.

 

Sources:

Naver Blog, MJ's Quick Recipe (Korean)

Youtube, Maanchi (English)

Old-fashioned Tteokbokki, Wheat Tteokbokki
[Source] Korea Tourism Organization, Alex Boondo

Tips:

The recipe by YouTuber Maangchi may differ slightly from this version.

Green onion is as important as gochujang, so make sure to include it.

All the ingredients can be found at a Korean market.

Take this opportunity to buy and try using Korean seasonings like Dasida or Miwon. Even TikToker Logan Moffitt, known as "Cucumber Guy," often uses Miwon when making Korean food!

Tteokbokki is a simple yet delicious dish that offers a glimpse into Korean culture. Try making it at home and discover why it's such a beloved snack in Korea—and now, around the world!

Please refer to the following blog post for information on Korean ingredients.
Essential Korean Spices and Sauces: A Comprehensive Guide for Home Cooks

 

Enjoying Tteokbokki at Home: A Modern Take

As tteokbokki continues to grow in popularity, many products have emerged to make it easier and tastier to enjoy at home. For those who can’t easily access Korean markets, don’t worry—there are plenty of convenient ways to enjoy tteokbokki wherever you are!

Pre-Made Tteokbokki Sauce

You’ll find a variety of ready-made tteokbokki sauces, allowing you to create tteokbokki at home with ease. From spicy gochujang-based to soy sauce and creamy rose flavors, there’s a sauce for every preference.

If you’re lucky enough to have tteokbokki sauce on hand, you can skip the sugar, gochujang, salt, red pepper flakes, beef seasoning, cooking oil, and corn syrup from the recipe. It simplifies the process!

Tteokbokki Rice Cakes

Pre-packaged rice cakes, available in both frozen and refrigerated forms, make cooking at home a breeze. They retain that chewy texture we love and come in a variety of styles, from basic rice cakes to more unique options with added ingredients.

Tteokbokki Cookbooks

For those who want to explore tteokbokki recipes further, cookbooks dedicated to tteokbokki are gaining popularity. They’re filled with everything from beginner recipes to creative twists for the more adventurous, making them a hit among tteokbokki lovers.

Tteokbokki Meal Kits Abroad

If you’re living outside of Korea, you’ll be glad to know that tteokbokki meal kits—including sauce and rice cakes—are available internationally. These kits allow foreign fans to enjoy authentic tteokbokki flavors easily and are particularly popular among those interested in Korean cuisine.

Health Benefits of Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is a great source of carbohydrates for quick energy. Add some fish cake or eggs, and you get extra protein and calcium. Plus, the capsaicin in gochujang can boost metabolism and help break down body fat.

That said, be mindful of the sodium and sugar content in tteokbokki, as frequent consumption could lead to weight gain or high blood pressure. For those with sensitive digestion, spicy tteokbokki might be a bit much, so it’s wise to enjoy it in moderation. Adding vegetables and protein can create a balanced dish, and opting for low-sodium gochujang is also a good choice. You could even try milder versions like creamy or Jjajang tteokbokki!

Tteokbokki in Pusan
[Source] Busan Tourism Organization

In Closing

From traditional Korean food to popular street fare and now a global sensation, tteokbokki is as versatile as it is delicious. With endless combinations and creative variations, tteokbokki has a bright future in the world of international cuisine.

Discover your favorite style and create a new twist on this classic dish! What’s your favorite tteokbokki flavor?

As for me, I’m about to place an order for spicy Shinjeon Tteokbokki with a refreshing Coolpis to balance the heat!

Shinjeon Tteokbokki is a well-known Korean franchise famous for its extra-spicy tteokbokki. Coolpis is a drink often paired with spicy foods to help cool down the palate.