Tuk-bok-ki Spicy Rice Cake w/ Vegetables 떡볶이

Tukbokki is one of Korea's popular snacks that are loved by teenagers as well as adults.  It is made from garaetuk, a chewy long cylindrical rice pasta (or "rice cake") that is cut into many pieces and cooked with various ingredients.  It is a stir-fry dish which is cooked with gochujang (red chili pepper paste) along with garaetuk, seasoned beef, fish cakes and assorted vegetables such as green onions, carrots and onions.

A spicy version of tukbokki is very popular but less spicy ones can be also requested to meet everyone's taste buds.  In Korea, this snack is commonly purchased from street vendors much like hotdog vendors in New York City. However, it can be found in Korean fast food venues as well as some restaurants outside of Korea.

Recipe Ingredients

10 oz garaetuk ⅓ onion 1-2 stalk(s) carrots 1 tsp of gochujang or more, depending on how spicy you want the dish to be 1 tsp sugar 1 green onion 1 tsp garlic Sesame seeds

Cooking Directions

1. For preparation, make sure the garaetuk is soft and chewy for cooking.
2. Cut the onion and carrot into widths of ½ inch and lengths of 1 inch.
3. Mix the ketchup and hot pepper paste in a pot, then boil it with added sugar, lastly sprinkle in some sesame seeds.
4. Pour oil into a pan with garlic and green onions then fry the onions, carrots, and cabbage.
5. When the vegetables are lightly fried, put the garaetuk with the mixed sauce for 5-8 minutes.
6. Serve hot.