Tteok is a typical Asian recipe but also qualifies an a universal vegetarian recipe. Though originating from Korea as a ceremonial food, its found its way to all parts of the world due to its simplicity and lean recipe. Though a rice recipe, it requires special cookery to make and as such could be more available in Asian restaurants across the world.
WHAT IT IS
Korean rice cakes are referred to generally as tteok. Steamed flour from a variety of grains, particularly glutinous and non-glutinous rice, is used to make them. To make tteok, steamed flour can also be molded, pounded, or pan-fried. Tteok is occasionally made by pounding cooked grains. Tteok is consumed as a meal in addition to being a dessert or seasonal treat. It can be as simple as white rice tteok used in domestic cooking, or as complex as variations prepared with namul, nuts, fruits, and flowers to create a variety of colors, scents, and shapes. A variety of common ingredients found in many types of tteok include dried fruits, jujube, dry beans, soybean, mung bean, mugwort, pumpkin, chestnut, pine nut, and sesame seeds and oil.
VARIETIES
Glutinous rice is just one kind of grain that can be used to make the flour. Non-glutinous rice may be used to make tteok, unlike mochi, which cannot be manufactured with ordinary rice. But there are both contemporary and traditional ways to prepare tteok. Korean rice cakes are referred to generally as tteok. Steamed flour from a variety of grains, particularly glutinous and non-glutinous rice, is used to make them. To make tteok, steamed flour can also be molded, pounded, or pan-fried. Tteok is occasionally made by pounding cooked grains.
PREPARATION
Chewy rice cakes cooked in a red, hot broth are called tteokbokki. It’s a well-liked street meal from Korea. The spicy rice cakes that street sellers sell are difficult to resist. Large vats of tteokbokkie would be served, and they would stir constantly. Although there are many different ways to prepare tteokbokki—some add dumplings, while others add cabbage, cheese, or ramen noodles—this version of the fiery Korean rice cakes is a beloved classic.
COMMON INGREDIENTS
- Rice cake
- Water
- Eggs
- Dried kelp
- Sugar
- Dried anchovies
- Green onions
- Pepper
- Fish cakes
