Spicy and Sweet Nostalgic Street Tteokbokki
Homemade Gwangjang Market Style Thick & Chewy Tteokbokki Recipe!
Remember those chewy, thick rice cakes coated in a thick, savory sauce from the street stalls or markets of your childhood? Did you miss the famous Gwangjang Market tteokbokki but found it too troublesome to travel? Now, you can easily recreate that flavor at home. While it might not be exactly the same, this recipe aims to capture the essence of that beloved street food. Let’s get started!
Tteokbokki Ingredients- 500g thick rice cakes (wheat cakes are also fine!)
- 3 sheets of square fish cakes
- 1/2 stalk of green onion (mostly the leafy parts)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 3 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligodang)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp beef-flavored seasoning powder (like Dasida)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 500ml water (approx. 2.5 cups)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Pour 500ml of cold water into a wide, deep pot. This forms the base of your delicious tteokbokki. Ample water is important to prevent the rice cakes from sticking together.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the ingredients that will add flavor. Cut the square fish cakes into bite-sized pieces. Typically, cutting them into 2-3 pieces each is common. Chop the green onion, focusing on the leafy parts, and set aside. Adding it near the end will enhance the aroma.
Step 3
Let’s make the sauce! Add 3 Tbsp of gochugaru for spiciness, 3 Tbsp of corn syrup for sweetness, 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic for depth of flavor, 2 Tbsp of beef-flavored seasoning powder for umami, and 1 Tbsp of sugar to the pot. This creates your fundamental spicy and sweet sauce base.
Step 4
Add the rice cakes to the pot and mix everything well. Begin to cook over medium heat. Stir frequently to prevent the bottom from sticking as the rice cakes soften and the sauce thickens into a rich, gooey consistency. This step allows the sauce to deeply penetrate the tteok, creating a satisfying flavor. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the desired thickness is reached.
Step 5
Finally, turn off the heat and add the chopped green onions. Let them cook slightly in the residual heat. The fresh aroma of the green onions will spread through the tteokbokki, creating a perfect finish. Serve generously and enjoy!
