Spicy & Sweet Oil-Fried Rice Cakes (Gireum Tteokbokki)
The Addictive ‘Gireum Tteokbokki’: An Effortlessly Delicious Late-Night Snack Recipe
Gireum Tteokbokki has been incredibly popular, and I finally had the chance to try making it myself! Not only did I satisfy my curiosity, but I also discovered the ultimate simple snack and accompaniment that’s perfect for late nights. It’s made me even more eager to try the famous version from Tongin Market! I’m excited to share this super easy Gireum Tteokbokki recipe with you all!
Ingredients
- 500g Mill Tteok (rice cakes for tteokbokki)
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 3 Tbsp Cooking Oil (e.g., canola oil, grapeseed oil)
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup, for gloss and sweetness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Since the rice cakes might be firm from refrigeration, briefly blanch them in boiling water to soften them up. This step helps the rice cakes absorb the sauce better.
Step 2
Unlike saucy tteokbokki, Gireum Tteokbokki relies on the soft texture of the rice cakes themselves. Add the rice cakes to boiling water and blanch for about 1 minute. Immediately rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch, then drain thoroughly in a colander to get rid of all the moisture before proceeding.
Step 3
Place the drained rice cakes in a bowl and toss them with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil to lightly season. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, creating a flavorful garlic oil. Once the garlic aroma is released, add the seasoned rice cakes and stir-fry.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to add 3 tablespoons of gochugaru and stir-fry with the rice cakes. The key here is ‘oil’! To prevent the chili flakes from burning and to bring out their delicious color and flavor, ensure there’s enough oil. Stir-fry them as if you’re deep-frying the rice cakes.
Step 5
While stir-frying, keep an eye on the heat to prevent the rice cakes from burning. Add a little more cooking oil as needed to help coat everything evenly. The 3 tablespoons of gochugaru is a good amount for 500g of rice cakes, but if you’re using less tteok, consider reducing the chili flakes. It’s important to stir-fry evenly without burning.
Step 6
Once the gochugaru is well combined with the rice cakes and they have a tempting color, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir-fry until the sugar is dissolved. Finally, add 1 tablespoon of oligodang and stir-fry quickly until a glossy sheen develops. The sauce is now complete.
Step 7
Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds and give it a quick toss. This adds a lovely nutty aroma to your delicious Gireum Tteokbokki. Adding the sesame seeds at the end preserves their fragrant flavor.
Step 8
This dish has an incredibly addictive flavor that’s hard to resist! It’s not overly spicy or greasy, but has a delightful taste that makes you want to keep eating. It’s perfect as a snack with drinks or as a late-night treat.
Step 9
You can make delicious Gireum Tteokbokki even with regular cooking oil. The key is to cook over low heat and stir-fry slowly. With this simple tip, anyone can achieve a successful and tasty dish. Try making this irresistibly addictive Gireum Tteokbokki easily at home!
