Nostalgic Korean Rice Cake Skewers (Tteokkochi)
Make Mouthwatering Tteokkochi at Home: A Delicious Combination of Sweet, Sour, Spicy Sauce and Grilled Rice Cakes!
I decided to use up some leftover diced rice cakes and turn them into delicious tteokkochi! (Based on the thickness of garaetteok, which is similar to ddeokbokki rice cakes). The sweet, sour, and spicy sauce comes together in no time! I hope you enjoy this delicious weekend treat, perfect for adults. This recipe is designed to be easy and flavorful, reminiscent of childhood street food.
Main Ingredients
- Rice cakes (diced shape, similar to Korean radish cubes, or thick cylinder rice cakes) 1.5 handfuls (approx. 300g)
- Sesame seeds or chopped nuts, a pinch (for garnish)
Sauce Ingredients
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2/3 Tbsp
- Ketchup 1.5 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1/2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1/2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1/2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide or corn syrup 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 tsp
- Water 2 Tbsp
Other Ingredients
- Cooking oil 2 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2/3 Tbsp
- Ketchup 1.5 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1/2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1/2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1/2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide or corn syrup 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 tsp
- Water 2 Tbsp
Other Ingredients
- Cooking oil 2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If your rice cakes are hard or stiff, soak them in boiling water for about 30 seconds to 1 minute to soften them up. This step is recommended for thicker rice cakes. If you are using soft, fresh rice cakes or thin tteokbokki cakes, you can shorten this time to 30 seconds or skip it altogether.
Step 2
Carefully remove the softened rice cakes from the hot water and drain them thoroughly. It’s important to get rid of excess water so the cakes can grill nicely without becoming mushy.
Step 3
Let’s make the delicious tteokkochi sauce! In a small bowl, combine gochujang, ketchup, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, oligosaccharide (or corn syrup), and minced garlic. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth. Ensure there are no lumps.
Step 4
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the cooking oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the drained rice cakes. Grill the rice cakes for about 1 minute and 30 seconds, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside. This will give them a delightful chewy texture inside and a pleasant crispness outside.
Step 5
In a small pot, combine the prepared sauce mixture with 2 tablespoons of water. Simmer over low heat for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning. The sauce should thicken slightly. Once it reaches a glossy consistency, remove from heat.
Step 6
Thread the grilled rice cakes onto skewers. Using a brush, generously coat each skewer of rice cakes with the prepared sauce. For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle with sesame seeds or chopped nuts. Enjoy your delicious homemade tteokkochi! ^^
