Tteokbokki is more than a food to most Koreans. It’s a dish replete with memories, like the bunsik restaurants by their schools that nourished their famished hearts in childhood. It’s a symbol of Korean culinary culture and an embodiment of the national spirit, like the fiery gochujang red pepper sauce that flavors it. It’s no wonder that tteokbokki has endured through the pandemic, with its spicy flavour and chewy texture reassuring the nation in their darkest days.
While tteokbokki’s popularity has not waned, a new generation of eateries is taking the quintessential dish in a different direction. From adding extras like noodles, squid and cheese to creating variants of the sauces (like the rose tteokbokki craze), these new establishments offer a high degree of customization.떡볶이 소자본창업
The Hankyoreh visited Oftt in Seongsu, a stripped-down establishment that specializes in the comforting dish. It has only five tables, but its bare concrete walls and fast-paced rap music give it an urban feel. Tteokbokki lovers from across the city gather here to eat, drink and socialize with friends. In addition to serving up the popular dish, Oftt also offers tteokbokki kits and meal kits that can be prepared at home.
It’s not uncommon to find young people in suits and dresses at tteokbokki restaurants, but that is not necessarily indicative of the quality or price of the food. In fact, many of the newer establishments focus on upscale ingredients and presentation to appeal to a more discerning clientele.
Despite their upscale image, these restaurants are still as affordable as traditional ones. At the tteokbokki franchise chain Cheolgil Tteokbokki, which has 236 stores in Korea as of 2023) a plate of the delicious rice cake dish costs just 10,900 won for adults and 9,900 won for teenagers. The restaurant’s mission is “One meal with tteokbokki, two meals with fried rice.”배달창업
As with the rest of Korea, there are many ways to enjoy tteokbokki, but it is always best eaten hot. The chewy rice cakes pair well with a variety of sauces, from the simple but classic gochujang to creamy teriyaki. The spicy version is an all-time favourite, but those who prefer a milder taste can opt for the steamed version that comes with a sweet red bean paste sauce.
Whether you choose the traditional or the modern, one thing is for sure: Tteokbokki is the perfect food to share with a loved one, especially during these gloomy times. The scrumptious dish can warm your heart from within and leave you craving more.