What is Tteokbokki


Tteokbokki (떡볶이) is one of the most popular street foods and comfort foods in Korea. Tteokbokki literally means stir-fried rice cakes: tteok is the word for rice cake, and bokki essentially means fried. 

Tteokbokki rice cakes can be found at Asian markets and could be compared to a savory mochi or a gnocchi in a spicy sauce. Korean rice cakes are chewy and bouncy. The rice cakes themselves are very mild but when you cook them in sauce, they soak up flavor like a sponge and become incredibly delicious. It is a sweet and spicy classic Korean street food that is beloved by people of all ages.

Korean food has long been gaining awareness with Western audiences. With the versatility of tteokbokki (also known as “topokki” as easier sound for foreigners), you can add or take away ingredients to make it your own. There are many variations to tteokbokki, including the sauce and different additions. You can easily substitute with vegetable or chicken broth, or opt for honey or brown sugar for a sweet flavor. The sauce can range in thickness and spice level, and additions can include fish cakes, onion or hard boiled eggs for extra protein, ramen noodles, cheese, vegetables or dumplings. What’s better then Tteokbokki by it self, it goes perfect with other dishes. 


How to make Tteokbokki


  • Soak the rice cakes. Soak the rice cakes in a bit of warm tap water to loosen and soften them up.
  • Make the sauce. While the rice cakes are soaking, mix together the tteokbokki sauce in a small bowl: gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic.
  • Simmer. Stir the sauce into some anchovy stock, Japanese dashi or even chicken stock or water and bring to a simmer. Add the rice cakes and cook until the sauce reduces and the rice cakes are chewy, soft, and heated through.
  • Enjoy! Finish with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, and sliced scallions and enjoy warm.


How to make tteokbokki with cheese

This one is really simple, just add a slice of cheese on top of your hot tteokbokki. You can also add shredded cheese if you don’t have a slice of cheese. Mozzarella is what they usually use because it’s super stretchy and mild.


How to make Rosé tteokbokki


Rosé sauce is simply a red sauce with a bit of cream mixed in and rosé tteokbokki is the same! Rose sauce is super popular in Korea: it’s spicy and creamy and incredibly addictive. Just before serving, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream until the sauce turns a beautiful pink. Top it off with plenty of mozzarella cheese, let it melt, then go to town. So good!


How to make Non-spicy tteokbokki

For non-spicy tteokbokki, make this sauce instead of the sauce listed in the recipe:

  • ⅓ cup black bean paste
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced


We have some suggestions for dishes that pair well with tteokbokki, creating a complete Korean dining experience. They include Mandu (Korean dumplings), Gimbap (Korean seaweed rice roll), ramyun (Korean Ramen), and, of course, kimchi. Get the delicious Yopokki Instant Topokki with Kimchi Sauce, Black Bean sauce or Sweet & Spicy sauce to enjoy the all the flavors of tteokbokki!