Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki (Korean: 떡볶이), also spelled as ddeokbokki, topokki, or duk bok ki, is a popular Korean snack made from soft rice cakes, fish cakes, and a sweet and spicy sauce. It is considered one of Korea's most beloved street food items and has a rich history dating back to the Joseon Dynasty.

History

Tteokbokki was originally a royal dish known as gungjung tteokbokki, which is a stir-fried dish consisting of rice cake, beef, vegetables, and soy sauce. The modern, spicy version of tteokbokki became popular in the mid-20th century. The transformation is attributed to a food vendor named Ma Bok Lim in the 1950s, who accidentally dropped rice cakes into a hot sauce. This happy accident led to the spicy version of tteokbokki that is widely loved today.

Ingredients

The primary ingredients in tteokbokki include:

• Rice cakes (tteok) - cylindrical in shape and made from steamed rice flour.
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste) or a combination of gochujang and gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for the sauce.
• Fish cakes, typically sliced into bite-sized pieces.
• Vegetables such as scallions and onions.
• Sugar and soy sauce for seasoning.

Optional ingredients can include boiled eggs, seaweed, cheese, and ramen noodles, among others.

Preparation

Tteokbokki is prepared by first boiling the rice cakes until they are soft. A separate sauce is made by mixing gochujang, gochugaru, sugar, and soy sauce in water. The rice cakes and fish cakes are then added to the sauce and simmered until the sauce thickens. Vegetables are added towards the end of cooking to maintain their crispness.

Variations

There are several variations of tteokbokki, including:

• Gungjung tteokbokki - the soy sauce-based, non-spicy version.
• Cheese tteokbokki - topped with melted cheese for a creamy texture.
• Seafood tteokbokki - includes seafood such as shrimp and mussels.
• Rabokki - a combination of ramen noodles and tteokbokki.

Cultural Significance

Tteokbokki is more than just a snack in Korea; it's a dish that brings people together. It is commonly enjoyed at side dish cafes, at home, and at street stalls, especially in areas like Seoul's Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town. The dish is also a popular choice in Korean dramas and movies, further cementing its place in Korean culture.

See Also

• Korean cuisine
• Street food
• Rice cake
• Gochujang