Preparing spicy Korean tteokbokki: A step-by-step recipe
Tteokbokki, a beloved Korean street food, is celebrated for its spicy-sweet flavor. Originating from Korea and with roots in the Joseon Dynasty, it has gained global popularity. This dish primarily consists of rice cakes and a spicy sauce. Today, we're making a vegetarian, eggless version that maintains its comforting essence. Let's start cooking this unique and textured delight.
Gather the following ingredients
To make this vegetarian tteokbokki, you'll need: 200 grams of rice cakes (tteok), two tablespoons of gochujang (Korean chili paste), one tablespoon of soy sauce, one tablespoon of sugar, two cups of vegetable broth or water, one small onion (sliced), two green onions (chopped), and one teaspoon of minced garlic. Season with salt to taste. Optional garnishes include sesame seeds and sliced nori (seaweed).
Preparing the rice cakes
If using frozen rice cakes, begin by soaking them in warm water for about 10 minutes, or until they soften. This crucial step ensures the rice cakes become tender and chewy instead of remaining hard. After they've softened to the right consistency, make sure to drain the water thoroughly. This preparation is essential for achieving the perfect texture in your dish.
Making the sauce
In a large pan or wok over medium heat, combine gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and vegetable broth or water. Stir well to ensure all ingredients meld into a smooth sauce. Continuously mix until everything is fully dissolved. After achieving a uniform mixture, taste it and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed to perfect the flavor profile.
Cooking tteokbokki
Place the softened rice cakes into the pan with the spicy sauce mixture. Turn up the heat to medium-high, stirring occasionally to avoid any sticking at the bottom of the pan. Allow this to simmer for approximately five minutes. During this time, the sauce should start to thicken just enough to evenly coat each rice cake, ensuring they are deliciously enveloped in flavor.
Adding vegetables
As the tteokbokki nears completion, with rice cakes absorbing much of the sauce yet remaining slightly saucy, add the vegetables. Introduce sliced onions and green onions to the mix. Continue cooking for two more minutes. This ensures the vegetables become tender but stay crisp, perfectly complementing the dish's rich flavors and enhancing its texture and appeal.
