Spiced Korean Tteokbokki with Gochujang Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Chewy rice cakes simmered in a spicy and sweet gochujang-based sauce, garnished with scallions and toasted sesame seeds for a classic Korean street food experience. This korean-inspired street food ready in about 25 minutes pairs tteok (Korean rice cakes), gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 12 oz tteok (Korean rice cakes) under cold water and soak in warm water for 10 minutes if hardened.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, and 2 cups water. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil.
  4. Step 4: Add the soaked and drained rice cakes to the sauce and simmer over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the rice cakes become soft and chewy.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Korean Tteokbokki with Gochujang Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spiced Korean Tteokbokki with Gochujang Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tteok (korean rice cakes) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Korean Tteokbokki with Gochujang Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Korean Tteokbokki with Gochujang Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spiced Korean Tteokbokki with Gochujang Sauce?

Korean street food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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