Hello Kawan Mastah, are you a fan of Korean cuisine? If you are, then you must have heard of Topokki. Topokki is a famous Korean dish made from rice cakes, fish cake, and gochujang sauce. The dish is spicy and savory, making it a favorite of many people. If you want to try making it at home, here is a complete guide on how to make Topokki from scratch. So, let’s get started!
1. What is Topokki?
Topokki is a Korean dish made from rice cakes, fish cake, and gochujang sauce. It is a popular street food in Korea, and you can find it almost everywhere. Topokki is usually served as a snack or a meal, depending on the portion. The dish is spicy and savory, and it can be customized according to your taste. If you are a fan of Korean cuisine, then you must try Topokki.
1.1 The Origin of Topokki
Topokki originated from the Korean royal court in the Joseon dynasty. The dish was made for the royal family and was called ‘gungjung tteokbokki’ which means ‘royal court rice cakes’. Over time, the dish became popular among commoners, and its name changed to ‘tteokbokki’ or ‘Topokki’. Today, Topokki is a popular street food in Korea.
1.2 The Ingredients of Topokki
The main ingredients of Topokki are rice cakes, fish cake, and gochujang sauce. Rice cakes are made from glutinous rice flour and are shaped like cylinders. Fish cakes are made from fish paste and are sliced into rectangles. Gochujang sauce is a spicy and savory sauce made from red chili paste, soy sauce, sugar, and other ingredients. Other ingredients that are commonly used in Topokki are scallions, carrots, cabbage, onions, and sesame oil.
1.3 The Variations of Topokki
There are many variations of Topokki, and they can be customized according to your taste. Here are some popular variations:
Variation |
Ingredients |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Cheese Topokki |
Cheese, rice cakes, fish cake, gochujang sauce |
The cheese is melted and mixed with the Topokki |
Rabokki |
Ramen noodles, rice cakes, fish cake, gochujang sauce |
The dish is a combination of Ramen noodles and Topokki |
Jajang Topokki |
Jajang sauce, rice cakes, fish cake |
Jajang sauce is a black bean sauce |
Cheese Rabokki |
Cheese, ramen noodles, rice cakes, fish cake, gochujang sauce |
The dish is a combination of cheese and Rabokki |
2. How to Make Topokki
Now that you know what Topokki is and its variations, let’s get started on how to make it. Here are the ingredients and steps:
2.1 Ingredients
- 200 grams of rice cakes
- 100 grams of fish cake
- 2 tablespoons of gochujang sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of sliced scallions
- 1/2 cup of shredded cabbage
- 1/4 cup of shredded carrots
2.2 Steps
- Soak the rice cakes in warm water for 30 minutes.
- Combine the gochujang sauce, sugar, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and water in a pot.
- Add the fish cake, scallions, cabbage, and carrots to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the rice cakes to the pot and simmer for another 10 minutes or until the rice cakes are soft.
- Remove from heat and serve.
3. Tips and Tricks
Making Topokki may seem intimidating at first, but with practice, you can master it. Here are some tips and tricks:
3.1 Use Fresh Ingredients
Using fresh ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your Topokki. Fresh rice cakes and fish cakes are softer and more flavorful than their stale counterparts. Fresh vegetables also add more flavor and crunch to your dish.
3.2 Adjust the Spiciness
Gochujang sauce is spicy, but you can adjust the spiciness according to your taste. If you cannot handle spicy food, you can reduce the amount of gochujang sauce or add more sugar to balance the heat. If you love spicy food, you can add more gochujang sauce or chili flakes.
3.3 Customize Your Topokki
You can customize your Topokki by adding your favorite ingredients. Some popular additions are boiled eggs, bulgogi, and cheese. You can also experiment with different sauces to create your own unique Topokki.
4. Conclusion
Congratulations, Kawan Mastah, you have learned how to make Topokki from scratch. With this guide, you can impress your family and friends with your cooking skills. Don’t be afraid to experiment and create your own variations of Topokki. Happy cooking!