What Are the Ingredients of Tteokbokki?

The traditional tteokbokki—and by extension, this yopokki recipe —relies on just a few core ingredients to deliver its unforgettable taste. The must-haves are Korean rice cakes (tteok), gochujang (Korean chili paste), garlic, soy sauce or tamari, and a natural sweetener like sugar, maple syrup, or honey.

Why Is Tteokbokki (and Yopokki) So Addicting?

Tteokbokki is the ultimate comfort food—it’s chewy, saucy, spicy, and slightly sweet, all at once. That perfect balance is what makes this yopokki recipe so crave-worthy. The rice cakes provide a deeply satisfying texture, while the gochujang sauce hits that umami-sweet-spicy spot in just the right way. Add in a few nourishing toppings or creamy upgrades and you've got a dish that satisfies every part of your palate. If you’ve ever tried a spicy dish followed by something grounding like my dandelion root tea, you’ll know exactly what I mean—it’s that harmony that keeps you coming back.

Do I Need to Soak Tteokbokki Before Cooking?

Yes, soaking is a simple step that makes a big difference in the final dish. If you're using refrigerated or frozen tteok (rice cakes), they can get stiff or uneven when cooked straight from the package. For the best results with your yopokki recipe , soak them in warm water for 10–15 minutes. This softens them just enough to cook evenly and absorb the sauce, giving you that ideal chewy texture. Skipping this step often leads to dry or hard centers—definitely not the goal when making a cozy Korean classic.

What Is Included in Tteokbokki?

The base dish includes rice cakes and spicy gochujang sauce. From there, it’s up to you! This tteokbokki recipe easy version can be expanded with add-ins like:Hard-boiled eggs, Tofu or mushrooms, Green onions, Bok choy or spinach Cheese or cream (for that cheesy yopokki flavor) and Sesame seeds or seaweed.

Yopokki Recipe – 7 Surprising Twists That Will Make You Love It More

Name: Yopokki Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 2 cups Korean rice cakes (tteok); 2 tablespoons gochujang; 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 cup water or vegetable broth

Description

This spicy-sweet homemade yopokki recipe features chewy Korean rice cakes simmered in a rich gochujang-based sauce. It’s quick, comforting, and adaptable for vegetarians.

Ingredients

2 cups Korean rice cakes (tteok)
2 tablespoons gochujang
1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 cup water or vegetable broth

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Instructions

Soak rice cakes in warm water for 10–15 minutes if refrigerated or frozen.
In a pan, whisk together gochujang, tamari, garlic, maple syrup, sesame oil, and broth.
Bring sauce to a simmer over medium heat until smooth.
Add soaked rice cakes and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
Top with sesame seeds, green onions, or extras like tofu or veggies.

Notes

For extra heat, add gochugaru (Korean chili flakes).
To make vegetarian: use mushroom or kombu broth and skip any fish cakes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.