Spicy & Sweet Tteokbokki
The Ultimate Tteokbokki Recipe to Win Over Your Teenage Son
Do you ever think, “Do I really need to make tteokbokki myself for my teenage son?” While ordering delivery is easy, a homemade batch of tteokbokki can truly capture a child’s heart. Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned chef; seeing your kids enjoy your cooking will bring a natural smile to your face. This recipe is an easy and delicious way to earn your child’s affection, perfect for everyday moments!
Tteokbokki Ingredients
- 300g Tteokbokki rice cakes (choose chewy or softer type)
- 2 sheets Fish cakes
- 100-200g Cabbage
- 1/2 stalk Green onion
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
Spicy & Sweet Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Fish sauce (or anchovy-kelp broth sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Roasted soybean powder (adds nuttiness and thickness)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp Red pepper flakes (for color and spice)
- 1/2 Tbsp Corn syrup (for gloss and a touch of sweetness)
- 2 Tbsp Fish sauce (or anchovy-kelp broth sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Roasted soybean powder (adds nuttiness and thickness)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp Red pepper flakes (for color and spice)
- 1/2 Tbsp Corn syrup (for gloss and a touch of sweetness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Soak the tteokbokki rice cakes in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes to soften them. Then, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess starch and ensure a chewy texture. Drain well. (Using hot water can make the rice cakes too mushy).
Step 2
Cut the cabbage into roughly 2-3 cm pieces. Slice the fish cakes into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Chop the green onion diagonally. Having all your ingredients prepped makes cooking much smoother.
Step 3
Preheat a pan over medium-low heat. Add the roasted soybean powder and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until a nutty aroma is released. Once fragrant, stir in the fish sauce and mix well. This step deepens the flavor profile by combining the nuttiness of the soybean powder with the umami of the fish sauce.
Step 4
Pour in 500ml of water and stir to dissolve the sauce mixture. Once the liquid comes to a boil, it’s ready for the next stage of cooking.
Step 5
Add the prepared tteokbokki rice cakes, fish cakes, and cabbage to the boiling sauce. Cook for about 1 minute, ensuring the ingredients are coated in the sauce. Be mindful of the cooking time for the cabbage to prevent it from becoming too soft.
Step 6
Stir in the sugar and red pepper flakes. Once the seasonings are well distributed, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Allow the rice cakes to become tender and the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice cakes from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 7
As the tteokbokki thickens, add the corn syrup if you desire a bit more sweetness and a glossy finish. Finally, add the chopped green onions and minced garlic, and simmer for just 1 more minute. Your delicious spicy and sweet tteokbokki is ready to be enjoyed!
