Ryu Soo-young’s Sweet & Savory Hotteok-Tteokbokki
Unique Snack from Leftover Tteokguk Rice Cakes! Ryu Soo-young’s Hotteok-Tteokbokki Recipe
Do you have leftover tteokguk rice cakes from holidays or special occasions sitting in your freezer? Transform them into a delightful snack with Ryu Soo-young’s ‘Hotteok-Tteokbokki’ recipe from ‘Pyeonstorang’! This tteokbokki offers a fascinating flavor reminiscent of sweet hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes), making it a perfect, non-spicy snack for children. With simple ingredients and an easy cooking process, it’s an addictive treat that will have you reaching for your chopsticks again and again, ideal for a weekend family gathering.
Hotteok-Tteokbokki Ingredients
- 200g Tteokguk rice cakes
- 200ml water (approx. 1 cup)
- 4 Tbsp unrefined sugar
- 3 pinches salt
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 pinches cinnamon powder
- 1 packet mixed nuts (e.g., ‘Haru-kwa’)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Today, we’re making ‘Hotteok-Tteokbokki’ using leftover tteokguk rice cakes. Crushing mixed nuts to sprinkle on top adds a wonderful texture and nutty flavor. Shall we start making this special, unforgettable snack?
Step 2
Gently rinse the frozen tteokguk rice cakes under running water to remove ice and drain well. Have your unrefined sugar ready for the next steps.
Step 3
Cinnamon and cinnamon powder have distinct flavors. Cinnamon powder has a sweet, warm aroma, commonly used in desserts and baking. Cinnamon, on the other hand, has a stronger, spicier scent, often used in meat dishes, curries, and traditional drinks like ‘Sujunggwa’. For this recipe, to achieve that sweet ‘hotteok’ flavor, we’re using cinnamon powder.
Step 4
Let’s prepare the mixed nuts for that special texture. Place the nuts in a plastic bag and gently crush them with a mortar, the back of a knife, or a rolling pin until coarsely chopped. The key is to leave some texture; avoid grinding them into a fine powder. Also, have 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds ready.
Step 5
Place the thawed tteokguk rice cakes in a pan. Pour in 200ml (about 1 cup) of water. Adding just enough water to barely cover the rice cakes will prevent excessive evaporation during cooking, keeping them moist.
Step 6
While the original recipe might add sugar and sesame seeds first, I accidentally added 3 pinches of salt initially. Please keep this in mind as you follow along. (Note: Following the recipe’s intended order, adding 4 Tbsp sugar and 2 Tbsp sesame seeds first is correct.)
Step 7
Add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil to the pan. Cook over high heat (gangbul) for 2-3 minutes. This step helps the rice cakes absorb the seasoning as they start to cook.
Step 8
Once the rice cakes begin to bubble vigorously, add the 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds. As you continue to cook over high heat, the liquid will start to reduce.
Step 9
When the liquid has noticeably reduced, lower the heat to low (yakbul). From this point on, stir occasionally to prevent burning as the sauce thickens.
Step 10
Once most of the water has evaporated and the rice cakes are coated in a thick, sticky sauce, add 2 pinches of cinnamon powder and mix quickly. The sweet aroma of hotteok will fill the air, signifying the completion of your ‘Hotteok-Tteokbokki’!
Step 11
Transfer the finished Hotteok-Tteokbokki to a serving dish. Make sure to scrape out and include all the delicious sweet sauce remaining in the pan.
Step 12
Finally, sprinkle the crushed mixed nuts generously over the Hotteok-Tteokbokki. The crunchy nuts will add another delightful layer of texture.
Step 13
The combination of the sweet sauce and chewy rice cakes is truly fantastic. It’s a uniquely delicious flavor that’s incredibly addictive, making it the perfect winter snack.
Step 14
If you have leftover tteokguk rice cakes from the holidays, definitely try making this ‘Hotteok-Tteokbokki’ recipe. You’ll discover a whole new way to enjoy them. It’s a taste that will linger in your memory.
Step 15
Are you looking for a special snack for your children during their vacation? Capture their taste buds with this simple yet unique hotteok-flavored tteokbokki. It’s a delightful snack that the whole family can enjoy together. Enjoy cooking!
