Tteokbokki (Korean Spicy Rice Cakes) Recipe

Tteokbokki (떡볶이) is one of the most popular Korean street foods, made with chewy rice cakes simmered in a sweet, spicy, and savory gochujang sauce. This Korean rice cake recipe is quick, addictive, and comforting. perfect as a snack, side dish, or even a main meal.

If you’re looking for an authentic Korean street food recipe, a spicy comfort food, or a quick and easy Korean dish, Tteokbokki is a must-try!

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

• 300g (10 oz) Korean rice cakes (tteok, cylindrical type)
• 150g (5 oz) fish cakes (eomuk), sliced
• 2 cups anchovy broth (or water with 1 tsp dashi powder)
• ½ small onion, sliced
• 1 green onion, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 boiled egg (optional, for topping)
• 1 sheet dried kelp (dashima), optional for broth

For the sauce:

• 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
• 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar (or honey)
• 1 tsp minced garlic

Instructions

1. Prepare the broth

• In a pot, add 2 cups water, anchovy stock base (or dashima), and onion slices.
• Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove dashima if used.

2. Make the sauce

• Stir gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic into the broth. Mix until dissolved.

3. Cook the rice cakes

• Add rice cakes and simmer over medium heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. Add fish cakes & finish

• Add fish cakes and continue simmering until the sauce thickens and rice cakes are chewy.

5. Serve hot

• Garnish with chopped green onions and boiled egg halves.
• Enjoy immediately while warm and saucy.

Serving Tips

• Tteokbokki is best served with Kimbap, fried dumplings (mandu), or tempura (twigim).
• Adjust spice level by reducing gochugaru or adding extra sugar.
• For extra flavor, stir in cheese (Cheese Tteokbokki) or ramen noodles (Rabokki).

Variations

• Cheese Tteokbokki: Top with mozzarella cheese and let it melt into the sauce.
• Cream Tteokbokki: Use milk or cream in place of half the broth for a creamy twist.
• Seafood Tteokbokki: Add shrimp, mussels, or squid for a seafood-rich version.

✨ Pro Tip: Soak refrigerated or frozen rice cakes in warm water for 10 minutes before cooking. this helps them soften and cook evenly.

Why You’ll Love This Tteokbokki Recipe

• ✅ Authentic Korean street food flavor at home
• ✅ Quick and easy—ready in under 20 minutes
• ✅ Customizable—spicy, cheesy, creamy, or with noodles
• ✅ Addictive chewy texture that everyone loves

If you’ve been searching for the ultimate Korean spicy rice cake recipe, this tteokbokki will bring the taste of Seoul’s street markets right to your kitchen.