Non-Spicy Tteok-kkochi (Grilled Rice Cake Skewers)
A nostalgic Korean street-food snack of crispy-outside, chewy-inside rice cake skewers coated in a sweet-and-tangy sauce. With just a tiny bit of gochujang for depth without heat, it's perfect as a kids' snack and can be made at home in 10 minutes, just like the snack bars in front of school.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Tteokbokki rice cakes1 pack (enough for 6 skewers)
- Cooking oil2–3 tablespoons
- Wooden skewers6 pieces
Tteok-kkochi Sauce
- Ketchup3 tablespoons
- Gochujang0.3–0.5 tablespoons
- Soy sauce1/2 tablespoon
- Oligo syrup1.5 tablespoons
- Sugar1/2 tablespoon
- Water1–2 tablespoons
Directions
- 1
If the rice cakes are already soft, use them as-is. If they are hard, blanch briefly in boiling water until softened, then rinse in cold water and pat completely dry — residual moisture can cause splattering when pan-frying. If the rice cakes stick to your hands, lightly coat your hands with a little cooking oil. Thread 4–5 rice cakes onto each wooden skewer.
- 2
In a bowl, combine the ketchup, gochujang, soy sauce, oligo syrup, sugar, and water. Mix well to make the sauce.
- 3
Heat 2–3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Pan-fry the rice cake skewers, turning to cook all sides, until golden and slightly puffed and crispy on the outside. A crispy outer layer is key — it prevents the sauce from making the rice cakes soggy.
- 4
Using the residual oil left in the pan, pour in the sauce and let it bubble for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Cooking the sauce briefly deepens the flavor and helps it cling to the rice cakes. Generously coat the pan-fried rice cakes with the sauce on all sides.
- 5
Your sweet-and-tangy nostalgic tteok-kkochi is ready! Not spicy at all, so it works great as a kid-friendly snack and just as well for adults.
Tips
Fry the rice cakes until thoroughly crispy so they stay firm even after the sauce is applied. Briefly boiling the sauce before use helps it adhere better to the rice cakes. If you prefer more heat, increase the amount of gochujang.