Chewy Tteokbokki Made with Garae-tteok from the Fridge
Reinventing Frozen Garae-tteok, Spicy and Sweet Tteokbokki Golden Recipe, a Popular Snack Loved by Kids
Cleaning out the fridge during kimchi-making season, I discovered some garae-tteok (rice cakes) in the freezer! So, I decided to make tteokbokki with them. This tteokbokki, with its perfect blend of chewy rice cakes and a spicy-sweet sauce, is absolutely delicious. Shall we make it now?
Main Ingredients
- 8 sticks of Garae-tteok (frozen)
- 3 cups of water
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 4 sheets of fish cake
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Garae-tteok stored in the freezer can be quite hard. First, cut the rice cakes into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm). If they are too thin, they might break apart, so aim for a moderate thickness.
Step 2
Cut the fish cakes into bite-sized pieces (triangles or rectangles). Cutting them following their shape looks nice.
Step 3
Slice the green onion diagonally. Using both the white and green parts adds aroma and color.
Step 4
Thick or hard garae-tteok might not cook well or remain tough if cooked directly. To ensure they are tender, blanch the rice cakes in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes. They are done when you can easily pierce them with chopsticks. Immediately drain them and rinse under cold water to maintain their chewy texture. Then, drain them well in a colander.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the delicious tteokbokki sauce! In a pot or pan, combine 3 cups of water with 4 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix everything well.
Step 6
Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat. Once the sauce is bubbling, add the blanched garae-tteok, sliced green onions, and fish cakes. Cook together for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the sauce to coat the ingredients evenly. Be careful not to overcook, or the rice cakes might become mushy.
Step 7
Finally, turn the heat up to high and simmer for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and reduces to your desired consistency. A slightly thickened sauce will cling beautifully to the rice cakes, making them even tastier. If you like, season with a pinch of salt. Enjoy your wonderfully chewy and delicious garae-tteok tteokbokki!
