Easy Carbonara Tteokbokki Recipe - Wasian Cookery (2024)

Try My special Carbonara Tteokbokki recipe that mixes Korean and Italian flavors. It’s yummy rice cakes in a creamy sauce with bacon and fresh cilantro. Easy to make and super tasty – a fun twist on regular food!

Easy Carbonara Tteokbokki Recipe - Wasian Cookery (1)

Carbonara Tteokbokki is a fusion dish combining elements of Italian and Korean cuisine. Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food dish consisting of chewy rice cakes (tteok) cooked in a sweet and spicy gochujang-based sauce. Carbonara, on the other hand, is an Italian pasta dish known for its creamy sauce made with eggs, cheese, and bacon or pancetta.

In Carbonara Tteokbokki, the traditional rice cakes are immersed in a creamy carbonara sauce, adding a rich and savory dimension to the sweet and spicy flavors of the classic Tteokbokki. The dish typically includes bacon, onions, and garlic, creating a unique combination of Korean and Italian flavors. It’s a creative and delicious example of how different culinary traditions can come together to create something new and exciting.

  • 1 pound (450g) Korean cylinder-shaped rice cakes (tteok)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Easy Carbonara Tteokbokki Recipe - Wasian Cookery (2)
  1. Prepare the Tteok:
    • Soak the Korean rice cakes in warm water for about 30 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics:
    • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat.
    • Add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until softened.
  3. Cook Bacon:
    • Add the chopped bacon to the pan and cook until it becomes crispy.
  4. Make Carbonara Sauce:
    • Pour in the whole milk, grated Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese.
    • Stir continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes creamy.
  5. Combine Tteok and Sauce:
    • Add the soaked rice cakes to the pan, stirring to coat them in the creamy carbonara sauce.
  6. Season:
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
  7. Garnish:
    • Sprinkle fresh cilantro leaves on top for freshness and added flavor.
  8. Serve:
    • Remove from heat once the rice cakes are tender and coated in the delicious sauce.
  • Before cooking, soak the Korean rice cakes in warm water for 30 minutes. This makes them soft and ready for the creamy sauce.
  • If you like more spice, add extra gochujang. For less spice, use less. Make it just right for you!

To store Carbonara Tteokbokki, let any remaining portions cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the dish into an airtight container, ensuring a tight seal to preserve its freshness. For optimal taste and quality, store in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days.

For longer storage, consider freezing the Carbonara Tteokbokki. Place it in a freezer-safe container, making sure it’s well-sealed to prevent freezer burn. Although the rice cakes may have a slightly altered texture after freezing, the dish can be stored in the freezer for up to a month.

When ready to enjoy your stored Tteokbokki again, simply reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of milk during reheating to restore the creamy texture. Stir occasionally until the dish is thoroughly heated. Remember to assess the quality before consuming and avoid excessive reheating to maintain the best taste and texture.

Can I prepare Carbonara Tteokbokki ahead of time for a party or gathering?

  • Yes, you can make the Carbonara Tteokbokki in advance. However, for the best texture, consider storing the rice cakes separately from the sauce until closer to serving time.

What other garnishes can I use besides cilantro for added freshness?

  • Feel free to experiment with additional garnishes like chopped green onions, a squeeze of lime juice, or even a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for an extra layer of flavor and texture.

Can I use different types of cheese in the Carbonara sauce?

  • Absolutely! While the recipe suggests Parmesan and mozzarella, you can explore other cheese varieties like cheddar or Gouda for a unique twist on the traditional Carbonara flavor.

Is there a substitute for bacon in Carbonara Tteokbokki?

  • Yes, you can substitute bacon with other proteins like diced ham, smoked sausage, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Easy Carbonara Tteokbokki Recipe - Wasian Cookery (3)

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Total time

1

hour

10

minutes

Try My special Carbonara Tteokbokki recipe that mixes Korean and Italian flavors. It’s yummy rice cakes in a creamy sauce with bacon and fresh cilantro.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450g) Korean cylinder-shaped rice cakes (tteok)

  • 1 small onion, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons oil

  • 4 slices bacon, chopped

  • 1 cup whole milk

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Directions

  • Prepare the Tteok:
  • Soak the Korean rice cakes in warm water for about 30 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside.
  • Sauté Aromatics:
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat.
  • Add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until softened.
  • Cook Bacon:
  • Add the chopped bacon to the pan and cook until it becomes crispy.
  • Make Carbonara Sauce:
  • Pour in the whole milk, grated Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese.
  • Stir continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes creamy.
  • Combine Tteok and Sauce:
  • Add the soaked rice cakes to the pan, stirring to coat them in the creamy carbonara sauce.
  • Season:
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
  • Garnish:
  • Sprinkle fresh cilantro leaves on top for a burst of freshness and added flavor.
  • Serve:
  • Once the rice cakes are tender and coated in the delicious sauce, remove them from the heat.

Notes

  • Before cooking, soak the Korean rice cakes in warm water for 30 minutes. This makes them soft and ready for the creamy sauce.
  • If you like more spice, add extra gochujang. For less spice, use less. Make it just right for you!
Easy Carbonara Tteokbokki Recipe - Wasian Cookery (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to soak tteokbokki before cooking? ›

“After you soak it, it doesn't appear any different, it just looks like it's still submerged in water,” she says. “But soaking tteok before using it does make a difference in terms of overall consistency and chewiness all the way to the core.

What is topokki carbonara? ›

Good Seoul Topokki Carbonara Korean Rice Cake is a popular Korean snack made from rice cake with a creamy carbonara sauce. The rice cakes are chewy and the sauce is rich and creamy making it a delicious and satisfying treat.

What is tteokbokki broth made of? ›

Traditionally, tteokbokki is made using anchovy broth – but I know that's a difficult ingredient to find. So, I used chicken broth for this recipe which provides a really great flavor. You could also use water, but I recommend some sort of flavored broth for more flavor!

What are the two types of tteokbokki? ›

There are some well-known variations. Curry tteok-bokki uses a yellow Korean-style curry base. Cream sauce tteok-bokki uses a base inspired by carbonara. Cream sauce and bacon are used instead of gochujang and fish cakes.

Do Asians soak rice before cooking? ›

"[Basmati] rice, that comes from the northern part of India and all the way through to Afghanistan, is a very long-grain rice and long-grain rice absorbs a lot of water," says Tan. "So that's why [South Asian people] always tend to wash the rice first and then, after that, it soaks [in order] for the rice to expand."

What happens if you don't soak rice before cooking? ›

You can make great rice without soaking it, but if you want to create the ultimate rice, soak it. Soaking rice is just one of the tricks to keeping rice just the right amount of sticky. Soaking any variety of rice covered in water for just 30 minutes plumps the grains of rice.

What does tteokbokki mean in English? ›

Tteok means rice cake and bokki stir-fried food. Combining these two words forms the term tteokbokki, or “stir-fried rice cake.” Ask Koreans what food makes them most nostalgic about their childhood and tteokbokki is the first thing they'll say.

Is carbonara just alfredo sauce? ›

Alfredo is basic – pasta, cream, parmesan, parsley. Carbonara is a little more complicated – pasta, onion, pancetta, garlic, egg yolks, cream, parmesan, parsley. Because this is a gluten-free version we have to use spaghetti – if you're not gluten-free use anything from penne to linguini.

What is the Chinese version of tteokbokki? ›

Shanghai stir-fried rice cakes are on the sweeter side compared to other types of stir fried rice cakes. You may have tried the korean stir fried rice cakes called tteokbokki. However, this version is not spicy and it has less sauce!

What is a substitute for tteokbokki broth? ›

Dashima. Dashima or dried kelp will ensure that the rice cakes cook in a broth that mimics the anchovy broth (the one thing that makes traditional tteokbokki not vegan). If you can't get your hands on some dashima, you can substitute kelp powder or a couple dried shiitake mushrooms.

What is a substitute for dashi in tteokbokki? ›

I highly recommend using hondashi dashi powder but if you can't find it, substitute it with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. If you cannot find bonito flakes or kelp, omit it - you will only lose a bit of umami from the kelp and smoky flavor from the bonito flakes. To keep the rice cakes chewy, don't overcook them.

What do people eat tteokbokki with? ›

Fish Cakes: These savory, chewy fish cakes add a delightful texture to the dish. Boiled Eggs: The creamy yolk of a boiled egg can help balance out the spiciness of the tteokbokki sauce. Cheese: For a decadent twist, consider adding a generous sprinkle of melted cheese on top of your tteokbokki.

Is tteokbokki the same as Mochi? ›

Tteok is just as diverse as mochi, and like the latter, it has some primary ingredients. Korean rice cake or tteok, is made from steamed flour. The flour can come from any type of grain, including glutinous rice. Unlike mochi, which can't be made with regular rice, tteok can be created with non-glutinous rice.

How long does tteokbokki need to soak? ›

Do you need to soak tteokbokki rice cakes? If the rice cakes are freshly made and soft they do not need to be soaked. Otherwise, soak them in warm water for 10-20 minutes to rehydrate them a bit.

Do you need to soak Korean rice? ›

You need to remove as much starch as possible, or the rice will be really gummy. Let the rice soak in water for 30 minutes. By letting your rice soak up some of the water, you reduce the cooking time which will result in a more aromatic rice. The longer you keep rice on heat, the less aromatic it will be.

Can you cook rice cakes without soaking? ›

Yes, you can cook dried rice cakes without soaking them beforehand. While soaking can help soften the cakes and reduce the cooking time, it is not necessary. Cooking dried rice cakes directly in the liquid will still yield tasty results.

How long to soak tteokbokki in water? ›

begin by thawing the frozen rice cakes in warm water for about 10 minutes. in a large pot over medium heat, stir together water, chili paste, soy sauce, and sugar, then whisk in a splash of sesame oil. add gochugaru to taste, then increase heat and bring mixture to a boil.

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