How to Make Tteokbokki

What Is Tteokbokki? 

Tteokbokki is a popular Korean dish made from small cylinder-shaped rice cakes, which are stir-fried and served with a sweet and spicy red chilli sauce and, often, fish cakes. It is one of the best-loved street food dishes in Korea. Tteokbokki originates from the Joseon Dynasty, where a braised dish of sliced rice cakes, meat and eggs, known as tteok jjim, was served to royals in the royal court. Originally, the dish would have been brown, but in the mid-1900s, gochujang - a red-coloured spicy chilli paste - was added, creating the red tteokbokki dish we know and love today.  

What Is Tteokbokki Made Of? 

Tteokbokki is made with a rice cake called garaetteok, which is made from short-grain rice in a cylinder shape. This type of rice cake for tteokbokki dishes can be found fresh at Korean markets, in sachets ready with sauce, or in an instant cup (like instant noodles). 

The rice cakes are typically accompanied by a sauce made from anchovy broth and seasoned with gochujang, soy sauce and sugar. 

While the garaetteok and sauce can be eaten alone, many tteokbokki dishes will include additional ingredients for flavour and texture, such as eomuk (thin fish cake), garlic, spring onion, or cabbage. 

What Does Tteokbokki Taste Like? 

Tteokbokki is a sweet and spicy dish, so those are the main flavours you will enjoy from the dish. The texture of the rice cakes is chewy and tender.

The added ingredients in the dish will also have an impact on the flavour. Often the sauce enjoyed with tteokbokki uses a broth made from dried anchovies, which adds a nice umami flavour.

The dish is often served topped with slices of spring onion, which adds another layer of fragrant flavour. 

If you find the flavour of your tteokbokki dish too spicy, then you can add some grated cheese or sesame oil to balance out the taste. 

Are Topokki & Tteokbokki the Same?

Yes! The terms tteokbokki, topokki and ddukbokki all refer to the same Korean rice cake snack and are just alternative spellings.

Is Topokki Like Pasta?

Topokki may be described by some people as being somewhat like pasta, except it is denser, which makes it chewier. Like pasta, the rice cakes are accompanied by a sauce which infuses them with rich flavour. However, while pasta is made from wheat flour, topokki is made from rice.

Is Topokki Meant to Be Chewy?

Yes – if your topokki is sumptuous soft and chewy, you’re doing it right!

Is Topokki Always Spicy?

The typical and traditional way to eat topokki is with a sweet and spicy sauce but there are lots of different alternative sauces you can use if you’re making our recipe. Blackbean or teriyaki are great options if you’re not a fan of the heat.

Is Tteokbokki Healthy?

Topokki is often considered a comfort food or a quick, easy snack, but as with most things eaten in moderation, it is not necessarily an unhealthy ‘junk food’. This is especially true when making the dish yourself as you can avoid more processed sauces.

Plus, tteokbokki is wonderfully diverse, making it easy to add healthy toppings and nutritious extras if you’re keen to make it into a more satisfying meal.

Is Topokki Halal?

Many topokki products are halal, and various instant topokki pots such as Yopokki have a specific halal certification.

How to Cook Tteokbokki 

If you would like to cook tteokbokki yourself from scratch, you can follow the recipe below.