Grabbing a plate of tteokbokki after a few glasses of soju (Korean spirit) with friends is the ultimate late night indulgence in Korea. You can find tteokbokki sold in food stalls across Seoul and the rest of the country, where groups of people gather to enjoy great food with friendly conversations.
Tteokbokki, also spelled dukbokki, topokki, or ddeokbokki, are Korean hot and spicy rice cakes. Cylindrical, chewy white rice cake noodles called tteok are stir fried in a delicious spicy gochujang based sauce. Savory elements are added to the sauce by way of anchovy stock, dried kelp and a splash of sesame oil.
Pour anchovy stock into pot with kelp. Simmer.
Turn up heat and add gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, and sugar.
Add rice cakes and cook until soft, stirring frequently. Add fish cakes. Cook.
Turn off heat and add sesame seeds and scallions. Serve.