A Twist On Rośe Tteokbokki (so basically a twist on the twist)

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This dish is playful, comforting, and cozy! It tastes exactly like home should feel!

What is Tteokbokki?

Tteokbokki is a beloved Korean street food made with chewy rice cakes simmered in a spicy, slightly sweet sauce—most famously flavored with gochujang (Korean chili paste). Today’s popular red, saucy version has its roots in the 1950s, when gochujang-based tteokbokki started appearing in markets after the Korean War, offering an affordable, flavorful comfort food. But the dish’s history goes back even further—its earliest form, gungjung tteokbokki (“royal court tteokbokki”), dates to the Joseon Dynasty, where it was made with soy sauce, beef, and vegetables, served as an elegant palace dish. Over time, tteokbokki evolved from royal banquet fare to a street food icon, loved for its comforting chew, bold flavor, and ability to be endlessly adapted with fish cakes, eggs, cheese, or seafood.

What do Korean Rice Cakes Taste Like?

If you've never tried korean rice cakes, you are missing out on something magical!! Korean rice cakes come in all different shapes & sizes! Some are long & round. Others are teeny tiny! Today, I am using macoroni rice cakes! This isn't the traditional shape used in Tteokokki, however, it's fun to let the sauce melt into the inside of the rice cake. This makes it a lot more playful and flavorful.

Where can I buy Korean Rice Cakes?

My personal favorite store for all my Asian favorites, is Galleria Market. They are located all around LA and they have everything from produce to noodles to rice cakes & even marinated bulgogi. To me, this place is heaven!! I always grab my rice cakes & my fish cakes from here. If you don't have a Galleria Market near you, feel free to shop Korean Markets in your area.

Most of these rice cakes are also gluten free!! To make the entire dish gluten free, feel free to use gluten free soy sauce or pass on it all together

What is Furikake?

Furikake is a Japanese seasoning blend typically made with dried seaweed, sesame seeds, salt, and sometimes bonito flakes, dried egg, or other flavorful ingredients. Sprinkled over rice, noodles, vegetables, or even popcorn, it adds a savory, umami-rich punch and a subtle crunch. Just a small shake can instantly elevate a dish—bringing depth, texture, and a burst of flavor that makes simple meals feel special. It's one of my personal favorite seasonings! You can find it at your favorite asian markets and now, even Trader Joe's

This flavorful seasoning is the perfect topping for so many different dishes!

What does Gochugaru taste like?

Gochugaru is a Korean red chili pepper flake with a flavor that’s vibrant, mildly smoky, and slightly sweet. It has a gentle heat that’s more warming than fiery, making it perfect for adding depth without overpowering a dish. Its fruity, sun-dried notes give kimchi, stews, and sauces a signature warmth and color, turning simple ingredients into something bold and complex.

What does Gochujang taste like?

Gochujang is a Korean fermented chili paste with a rich, savory-sweet flavor and a slow-building heat. Made from gochugaru, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt, it has a thick, sticky texture and a deep umami backbone. Its sweetness comes from the rice, balancing the gentle spice, while fermentation adds a tangy complexity. A spoonful can transform marinades, soups, or sauces, giving dishes a bold, addictive depth.

Why soak the rice cakes?

Soaking Korean rice cakes (tteok) before cooking helps soften their texture and ensures they heat evenly. Fresh rice cakes can be a bit firm, and frozen ones often harden or stick together—so a quick soak in warm water rehydrates them, loosens any clumps, and prevents a chewy center. This step makes them tender on the outside yet pleasantly bouncy when cooked, giving you that perfect bite in dishes like tteokbokki.

You can really just use whatever ingredients you have in the fridge for this dish! I always have a few staples on hand like rice cakes, gochujang, and furikake. So it's easy to whip up this dish with extra produce from the week. It may not be traditional, but experimenting with food is one of the most fun ways to cook and discover new recipes you'll fall in love with.

What makes this dish so fun?

Here's the exciting part. Korean rice cakes are so versatile. They soak up pretty much any sauce and flavors that you introduce to them. For example, today I wanted a simple and easy lunch with only ingredients I had in the fridge. I love to keep these on deck so I can whip up something delisious and easy whenever I feel like it. You can really experiment with this dish as much as you'd like!