Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (2024)

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This decadent Cheese Tteokbokki recipe is our favourite spicy Korean comfort food to cook at home.

Our quick & easy homemade Cheesy Tteokbokki features chewy Korean rice cakes that are cooked with spicy gochujang marinated chicken thighs and topped with melted mozzarella.

Serve traditional Tteokbokki with Cheese as a main course at a Korean dinner party or as a late night snack with a cold beer.

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Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (1)

What Is Tteokbokki?

Literally translated as “stir-fried rice cake,” tteokbokki is a beloved Korean rice cake.

You can easily find Korean rice cakes sold as a street food in busy cities like Seoul or Busan, typically boiled in a spicy broth or grilled until crispy.

Tteokbokki is made with a type of rice cake called garaetteok, a cylinder-shaped white rice cake prepared with short grain rice. They have a distinctly chewy texture.

The thick type is sliced into thin oval shapes for makingTteokgukKorean Rice Cake Soup, while thinner, shorter rice cakes are used for making tteokbokki.

You can use either variety when cooking our Cheese Tteokbokki recipe. We prefer the larger cylindrical tteokbokki as they are easier to grab with chopsticks.

What Is Korean Cheese Tteokbokki?

Our Cheesy Tteokbokki recipe is inspired by the Korean dish Cheese Buldak, also known as Korean Fire Chicken.

The mouth-watering dish features chewy tteokbokki, spicy gochujang marinated chicken, and a mountain of melted mozzarella.

Tteokbokki with Cheese is the ultimate Korean comfort food for fans of spicy chicken and stringy melted mozzarella.

Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (2)

Travel to Korea by Cooking Cheese Tteokbokki at Home

I love traveling through Asia.

As a professional food and travel writer I’ve eaten my way through India, Maldives, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

My first visit to Asia had me living inSouth Koreafor a year as an English teacher. That’s when I was first introduced to yummyfermented vegetableslikekimchi.

In Korea, I’ve enjoyed many steaming plates of cheese tteokbokki at restaurants in Seoul, Suwon, Busan, Samcheok, Jeju and even the North Korean DMZ.

My first time eating cheesy tteokbokki was almost immediately after getting off the plane in Seoul. I spent my first week in Korea attending intensive teacher training classes. Whenever we’d break for lunch they’d serve us plates filled with bulgogi, mandu, tteokbokki with cheese and selection of healthy banchan.

This cheese tteokbokki recipe is a simple Korean dish that is quick and easy to make on the stove and finish in the oven. The dish features spicy gochujang marinated chicken thigh slices that are cooked in a skillet then topped with Korean rice cakes, cubes of mozzarella cheese and then baked in the oven until bubbling.

After enjoying your first few bites, you’ll realize why cheesy tteokbokki enjoyed with a cold pint of Hite beer is a must-try when visiting South Korea!

Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (3)

Where To Eat Cheesy Tteokbokki

If you live in a large city inCanadaorAmericayou’ll likely have access to a local Korean restaurant that serves a traditional cheese tteokbokkirecipe.

Haven’t traveled to Korea before? It may be helpful to first sample tteokbokkiwith cheese at a local restaurant to better understand how it is served. You’ll get an idea for the ideal rice cake to chicken ratio, how spicy to make the marinade, and the best side dishes to serve at the table.

InToronto, popular Korean restaurants that may serve authentic cheese tteokbokki include Doma, Korean Village Restaurant, Arisu, Charcoal and Salt, Koko Share Bar, The Owl of Minerva, Seoul Shakers, Té Restaurant, Barrio Coreano, Momof*cku Noodle Bar, Tofu Village and Korea House.

Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (4)

My Family Loves Tteokbokki with Cheese

My parents flew to Asia to visit me on holiday during the 12 months I lived in Seoul. Before landing at Incheon they visited Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan.

They had never been to a Korean restaurant at home in Toronto or Oakville before so every dish was a delight and surprise to their taste buds.

It’s no secret that my dad is a picky eater so I was a little nervous about him finding commonplace menu items like raw fish, spicy soup and fatty samgyeopsal to be unappealing.

Thankfully my parents both fell in love with the local comfort food cheese tteokbokki! They ordered the dish many times during visits to Insadong and Dongdaemun.

I knew my parents would love the dish because they enjoy cheesy recipes like , easy chicken dishes and rice.

I often cook this cheese tteokbokki recipe during the colder months of the year in the Fall and Winter. After spending a day outdoors in the cold there’s no better way to heat up your chilly bones then forking through a comforting bowl of cheese and chicken topped chewy Korean rice cakes.

Your hungry (and thawing) dinner guests will be smiling from ear to ear, chopsticks on the ready!

Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (5)

Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe Cooking Tips

This tteokbokki with cheese recipe is quick and easy to make at home. It’s inspired by Korean food blogger Maangchi’s recipe for Buldak “Fire Chicken with Cheese.”

  • We suggest using a large oven-safe cast iron skillet or pan to prepare this dish. You cook the majority of the dish over the stove but pop the skillet in the oven to melt the cheese.
  • You can purchase Gochujang, Gochugaru, Tteokbokki at an Asian supermarket, Korean grocer or on Amazon.
  • We suggest using boneless skinless chicken thighs as they are most flavourful and tender. You can substitute with sliced chicken breasts if you prefer.
  • We usually top the tteokbokki with cubes of cheese but you can also sprinkle the top of the dish with shredded mozzarella.
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (6)

Health Benefits

Our homemade Cheese Tteokbokki recipe is packed full of healthy ingredients!

It is only recently that scientists have begun to identify the components responsible for garlic’s myriad health benefits. Rich in phytochemicals and potassium, garlic helps boost your immune system, fight cancer and protect your heart.

Ginger contains at least 14 phytochemicals, many of which have impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has a good source of copper, which supports your bones, blood and nervous system.

Chicken is high in protein and provides B vitamins such as niacin, which helps your body access the energy in foods.

Chili in the gochujang has been proven to help reduce the duration of sickness, prevent heart disease, and promote weight loss.

Consuming dairy products (such as milk and cheese) provides health benefits — especially improved bone health. Dairy foods provide nutrients that are vital for health and maintenance of your body. These nutrients include calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and protein.

Nearly 50% of the people in the world get over 50% of their daily calories from rice. If eating brown rice featuring nutritious bran you’ll enjoy health benefits like cancer risk reduction and diabetes control.

Scallions are a humble vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Regular consumption of onions can help boost digestive health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (7)

What To Serve with Cheese Tteokbokki

There’s nothing more comforting than cozying up to a bowl of cheesy tteokbokki!

In Korea the spicy chicken dish is typically served with a local beer like Hite or Cass. An ice cold lager does a great job at quenching your thirst while eating this carb, cheese and chicken packed comfort food.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion unscrew a bottle of freezer-chilled soju before serving each of your guests a steaming bowl of tteokbokki with cheese!

Since the dish is hearty we suggest pairing it with healthy side dishes (banchan) like kimchi or a fresh Korean salad.

Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (8)

You May Also Enjoy These Korean Recipes…

  • Spicy Korean Kimchi Soju co*cktail
  • Homemade Korean Strawberry Milk
  • Oven Roasted Korean Gochujang Pulled Pork Shoulder
  • Korean Beef Bulgogi Noodles
  • Sangchu Geotjeori Sweet and Sour Korean Lettuce Salad
  • Crispy Vegan Pan Fried Korean Tofu
  • Buchimgae Buchu-Jeon Korean Chive Pancake
  • Homemade Spicy Pork Bibimbap
  • Baked Korean Gochujang Chicken Wings
  • Peanut and Sesame Noodle Bowl with Korean BBQ Pork and Pickles
  • Korean Ssamjang Chicken Kimchi Nachos
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (9)

How To Make Korean Cheese Tteokbokki (RECIPE VIDEO)

Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (10)

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Spicy Korean Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki

How to make Cheese Tteokbokki. Our easy recipe features Korean rice cakes, spicy gochujang marinated chicken and melted mozzarella cheese.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: korean

Keyword: cheese tteokbokki

Servings: 6

Calories: 1409kcal

Equipment

  • French knife

  • measuring cups

  • measuring spoons

  • Skillet

  • mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs sliced
  • 1/2 cup Korean Hot Pepper Flakes Gochugaru
  • 2 tbsp Gochujang
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Canola Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/3 cup Honey
  • 8 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 2 tsp Ginger minced
  • 1 lb Mozzarella Cheese cut into small cubes
  • 600 g Tteokbokki Korean Rice Cake
  • 1 Scallion sliced
  • 1/4 cup Water

Instructions

  • Combine Gochugaru, Gochujang, soy sauce, 2 tbsp canola oil, black pepper, honey, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. Mix until combined into a smooth paste.

  • Addthe sliced chicken thighs and mix well.

  • Place the marinated chicken into an oven-safe pan or pot, preferably cast iron. Use thewater to rinse the bowl and get the remaining sauce into the baking dish. Cover and cook over medium high heat for 10 minutes.

  • Uncover, stir and turn the chicken with a wooden spoon. Add the rice cakes over the chicken.

  • Turn down the heat to low. Cover and let cook another 10 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked. Meanwhile preheat your oven broiler.

  • When the chicken is cooked, scatter the mozzarella cheese over the top. Place the dish in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

  • Remove and sprinkle with chopped green onion. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 1409kcal | Carbohydrates: 140.7g | Protein: 138.3g | Fat: 37.5g | Saturated Fat: 6.2g | Cholesterol: 509mg | Sodium: 1183mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 4.6g | Sugar: 31.1g | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 6mg

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Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (11)
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (12)
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (13)
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (14)
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (15)
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (16)
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (17)
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (18)
Korean Spicy Chicken Cheese Tteokbokki Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is cheese Tteokbokki made of? ›

Cheese Tteokbokki (made with homemade rice cakes)

The combination of the spicy sauce and melted cheese creates a flavor explosion in your mouth that's sure to satisfy your cravings.

What is tteokbokki sauce made of? ›

Soy sauce, sugar, Gochugaru (Korean chili powder), garlic, honey, and Gochujang (Korean chili paste): for the sauce. It's important to note that Gochugaru comes in two different types of flake vs. powder.

What is the difference between tteokbokki and dukbokki? ›

Tteokbokki: This is the more formal name, with "tteok" meaning rice cake and "bokki" referring to stir-frying. So, yeah, literally "stir-fried rice cakes." Fancy, right? Dukbokki: This one's more casual, with "duk" being a shortened version of "tteok." Think of it as the nickname your cool aunt uses for the twins.

What is the difference between tteokbokki and Tteokguk? ›

The thick type is sliced into thin oval shapes for making tteokguk (rice cake soup), while thinner, shorter rice cakes are used for making tteokbokki, hence the name tteokbokki tteok (떡볶이떡). You can use either one for this recipe, but the thick type needs to be cut thinner and shorter for this recipe.

What is the English name for tteokbokki? ›

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 tteokbokki a healthy food? ›

While tteokbokki is generally considered a safe and healthy dish, there are some potential health risks associated with its consumption. For instance, the spicy gochujang sauce used in tteokbokki may trigger heartburn or acid reflux symptoms in people who are prone to these conditions.

Why is tteokbokki hard to chew? ›

Overcooking: If you overcook the rice cakes, they can become hard and chewy. Make sure to monitor the cooking time and remove them from the heat as soon as they are tender and slightly chewy. High heat: Cooking the rice cakes at too high of a heat can also cause them to become hard.

Why are Korean rice cakes so chewy? ›

Often times, tteok is made by pounding a rice flour dough to give the rice cakes its characteristic chewy texture. Although the shape of the rice cakes you see here looks a lot like garaetteok (cylindrical rice cakes), it is not derived from the traditional method of making tteok.

What is the Chinese version of tteokbokki? ›

Shanghai stir-fried rice cakes have a sweeter flavor due to the addition of hoisin sauce. Unlike the Korean stir-fried rice cakes recipe called tteokbokki, this Shanghai-style rice cake recipe is less spicy, sweeter, and has less sauce.

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.

Are cheese rice cakes healthy? ›

Rice cakes offer very little nutritional value and are low in calories, fiber, and protein. Consuming rice cakes with an additional source of protein and fiber can balance out the increased blood sugar they may cause.

Why is there alcohol in tteokbokki? ›

The common industrial practice in Korea is to use ethanol as a microbial preservative by spraying or briefly soaking rice cake before packaging [1].

What is instant tteokbokki made of? ›

Ingredients. Rice cake: rice, Contains less than 2% of each of the following: alcohol, salt, dextrin, glycerin esters of fatty acids, modified tapioca starch1, modified tapioca starch2, glycerol.

References

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