Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cakes)

2023-07-20
Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cakes)
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 cups

Tteokbokki (pronounced duck-bow-kee) is a popular Korean street food made with chewy rice cakes and a garlicky, gochujang sauce. It's best served warm, topped with fresh green onions and hard boiled eggs. Tteokbokki is easy to customize with your favorite ingredients. It's often eaten with mozzarella cheese on top or alongside gyoza or noodles. Our recipe for Tteokbokki serves four and comes together in just 40 minutes.

How Do You Make Tteokbokki?

Tteokbokki starts with soaked rice cakes. Plan on soaking the rice cakes for at least 20 minutes but for better results, soak for at least an hour. This helps ensure they are the proper texture in the finished dish. A rich fish broth is the start of our Tteokbokki recipe and calls for dried anchovies and kelp. Once the broth is made, round out the sauce with sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and of course Korean chile. Add in the soaked rice cakes and fish cakes and cook the whole dish together until thick. You can adjust the sweetness of the finished dish with more or less sugar.

Where Can I Find Korean Rice Cakes (Tteok)?

Look for Korean rice cakes in Asian markets or online at retailers like Amazon. The shape used for this recipe is cylinder. If using fresh or frozen tteok, check the package for soaking instructions before making this Tteokbokki recipe.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water

  • 7 oz dried anchovies

  • 1 4x4-inch piece dried kelp

  • 1 pound cylinder-shaped Korean rice cakes (tteok) soaked

  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup gochujang paste

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 2 to 3 teaspoons gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 cup chopped green cabbage

  • 2 fish cake sheets, cut into 2-inch pieces

  • 4 medium (4-1/8" long) green onions, cut into long pieces plus additional for garnish

  • 2 large hard boiled eggs, halved

Directions

  1. Soak your rice cakes for at least 20 minutes or according to package directions. In a medium saucepan combine the water, dried anchovies, and dried kelp. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and using a slotted spoon, remove the anchovies and kelp; discard.

  2. Stir the soaked rice cakes, gochujang, sugar, soy sauce, gochugaru, and garlic into the anchovy broth and return to a boil. Cook, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes or until the rice cakes are tender and the sauce is lightly thickened.

  3. Stir in the cabbage, fish cakes, and green onions. Continue cooking about 5 minutes or until cabbage is tender and rice cakes are very tender. Remove from heat and stir in eggs. Serve topped with sliced green onion. 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

691 Calories
12g Fat
100g Carbs
45g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 690.7
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11.9g 15%
Saturated Fat 2.6g 13%
Cholesterol 198.1mg 66%
Sodium 5332.9mg 232%
Total Carbohydrate 99.9g 36%
Dietary Fiber 4.1g 14%
Total Sugars 28.2g
Protein 44.8g 90%
Vitamin D 2.7mcg 14%
Vitamin C 28.2mg 31%
Calcium 189.5mg 15%
Iron 3.2mg 18%
Potassium 1127.4mg 24%
Fatty acids, total trans 0g
Vitamin D 109.7IU
Alanine 2.6g
Arginine 2.8g
Ash 16.5g
Aspartic acid 4.5g
Caffeine 0mg
Carotene, alpha 1mcg
Choline, total 266.5mg
Copper, Cu 0.3mg
Cystine 0.6g
Energy 2889.3kJ
Fluoride, F 204.4mcg
Folate, total 85.5mcg
Glutamic acid 6.9g
Glycine 2.1g
Histidine 1.2g
Isoleucine 2.1g
Leucine 3.6g
Lysine 3.7g
Methionine 1.3g
Magnesium, Mg 135.4mg
Manganese, Mn 1.3mg
Niacin 6.6mg
Phosphorus, P 718.4mg
Pantothenic acid 2.2mg
Phenylalanine 1.9g
Phytosterols 13.1mg
Proline 1.7g
Retinol 70.5mcg
Selenium, Se 98.7mcg
Serine 2g
Starch 0g
Theobromine 0mg
Threonine 1.9g
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 2.9mg
Tryptophan 0.5g
Tyrosine 1.6g
Valine 2.4g
Vitamin A, IU 813.6IU
Vitamin A, RAE 99.4mcg
Vitamin B-12 5.6mcg
Vitamin B-6 1mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 115.7mcg
Water 431.3g
Zinc, Zn 2.4mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Related Article

Red Curry Tofu Skewers

Red Curry Tofu Skewers

Tofu, eggplant, and mushrooms soak up the ginger-curry marinade like mini sponges, infusing them with fresh Thai flavors.
24 of Our Favorite and Most Delicious Classic Italian Recipes

24 of Our Favorite and Most Delicious Classic Italian Recipes

Start with classic Italian pasta recipes and end with a homemade dessert like you'd get in a trattoria for the ultimate Mediterranean meal.
This Smoked Mole-Inspired Turkey Is Juicy and Flavorful

This Smoked Mole-Inspired Turkey Is Juicy and Flavorful

For this smoked turkey recipe, we concocted a rub using spices typically found in a traditional Mexican mole (a rich chocolate-chili sauce), including cocoa, cinnamon, cumin, and chili powder. If you don’t have a smoker, you can still use the warm spice combo on a roasted turkey.
Crispy Tofu "Stir-Fry"

Crispy Tofu "Stir-Fry"

This easy stir-fry recipe is healthier than most—instead of actually frying the tofu, make it in your air-fryer instead! It'll be just as crispy as frying it oil, but much healthier for mixing with veggies and rice.
Fruit Leather

Fruit Leather

Fruit Leather
Can You Eat Salmon Skin? Yes—And Here’s the No. 1 Secret to Cooking it Properly

Can You Eat Salmon Skin? Yes—And Here’s the No. 1 Secret to Cooking it Properly

Not all seafood is enjoyable skin-on, so you might be wondering, “can you eat salmon skin?” You sure can, but it’s important to employ a few simple strategies to ensure it’s golden-brown and crispy (rather than rubbery). We’ll walk you through how to cook salmon skin—both on the fish and off as a makeshift “chip.”
Blueberry Oat Chia Seed Muffins

Blueberry Oat Chia Seed Muffins

These sweet mini muffins are delicious and surprisingly healthy! Get your day started off on the right note with these blueberry muffins that come with a few health upgrades (including oats and chia seeds).
Asian-Style Sweet Potatoes

Asian-Style Sweet Potatoes

Make-ahead side dish magic: Prep and roast the sweet potatoes and broccoli up to three days ahead. Once you're ready to eat, all that's left to do is reheat, toss with dressing, and serve.
Cauliflower Steaks with Hazelnuts and Browned Butter

Cauliflower Steaks with Hazelnuts and Browned Butter

Finish this caramelized cauliflower with a rich brown butter and hazelnut pan sauce.
Spicy Tempeh Bulgogi

Spicy Tempeh Bulgogi

A sweet sesame-soy marinate makes infuses plant-based tempeh (fermented soybean cake), making a delicious Asian-inspired vegan meal.
Tombstone Taco Dip

Tombstone Taco Dip

Refried bean dirt, shredded lettuce grass, and tortilla tombstones and trees take chip dip to Halloween territory.
4 Must-Haves for a Self-Serve Margarita Bar Guests Will Love

4 Must-Haves for a Self-Serve Margarita Bar Guests Will Love

Impress your guests with this party-ready margarita bar—complete with a variety of garnishes, rimmers, and boozy stir-ins for customized cocktails.
Healthy Sandwich Ideas That Rival Your Favorite Deli Order

Healthy Sandwich Ideas That Rival Your Favorite Deli Order

Our healthy sandwich ideas include everything for eating well, from healthy sandwich meat to fresh veggies. This portable meal can be good for you.
The Best Methods and How Long to Marinate Chicken for Tasty Meals

The Best Methods and How Long to Marinate Chicken for Tasty Meals

Learn the best ways and how long to marinate chicken using our two easy methods for the tastiest meals you'll make again and again.
Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Make roasted Brussels sprouts in your oven! Toss with apples, cherries, and pecans for an irresistible 20-minutes vegetable side.
Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

Buffalo chicken and gooey cheese? Count us in. Serve this scrumptious buffalo chicken recipe with carrots and celery to help make it a fresh and filling meal.
Lemon-Caper Tuna and Noodles with Alfredo

Lemon-Caper Tuna and Noodles with Alfredo

Calling for just five simple ingredients, this 20-minute pasta recipe is one of the easiest dinner recipes that has even come out of our Test Kitchen. Brighten things up just before serving by topping with a handful of chopped chives.
Farro-Stuffed Peppers

Farro-Stuffed Peppers

Farro-Stuffed Peppers
12 Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes That Will Be Morning Staples

12 Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes That Will Be Morning Staples

Gluten-free breakfast recipes might seem hard to come by, but we've got options. Here you'll find recipes for gluten-free pancakes and more.
Eggplant "Meat" Balls with Chimichurri

Eggplant "Meat" Balls with Chimichurri

Enjoy these plant-based meatballs for your next meatless dinner.