Gungjung Tteokbokki, also known as Royal Court Tteokbokki, is a traditional Korean dish that dates back to the Joseon Dynasty. Unlike modern Tteokbokki, which is spicy and based on gochujang (red chili paste), Gungjung Tteokbokki is milder and uses soy sauce. This dish combines chewy rice cakes (tteok) with various vegetables and meat, creating a rich and complex flavor. Gungjung Tteokbokki is often served at special events and celebrations due to its delicious taste and elegant appearance.
Ingredients Needed
Main Ingredients:
- 300 grams of tteok (rice cakes)
- 200 grams of beef, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced lengthwise
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 100 grams of shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1/2 zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Sauce Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 boiled eggs, sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- Nori (dried seaweed), thinly sliced for garnish
Preparation and Instructions
Preparing Ingredients:
- Soak the tteok in warm water for 10-15 minutes if using hard rice cakes. Drain and set aside.
- Thinly slice all the vegetables and beef to make them easy to cook.
Making the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients together until well combined.
Cooking:
- Heat a bit of oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add the beef and cook until it changes color.
- Add the carrot, onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, shiitake mushrooms, and zucchini. Stir-fry until the vegetables are half-cooked.
- Add the tteok and pour the sauce into the pan. Stir until all ingredients are well coated.
- Cook until the tteok becomes soft and the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Add a little water if needed to help cook the tteok.
Serving:
- Transfer the Gungjung Tteokbokki to a serving plate.
- Garnish with sliced boiled eggs on top.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced nori as a garnish.
Tips
- If the tteok is too hard, soak it longer or boil it briefly until it softens before cooking.
- Use high-quality beef for a more delicious flavor.
- You can add or substitute vegetables to your liking, such as broccoli or cauliflower.
- If you prefer a slightly spicy taste, add a little red chili powder or gochugaru to the sauce.
Variations
- Vegetarian Gungjung Tteokbokki: Replace the beef with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian variation. Add more vegetables like spinach or cabbage.
- Seafood Gungjung Tteokbokki: Add shrimp, squid, or clams for a seafood variation.
- Cheese Gungjung Tteokbokki: Top with mozzarella cheese and bake briefly in the oven until the cheese melts and turns golden.
Calorie Information
One serving of Gungjung Tteokbokki (about 250 grams) contains approximately 350-400 calories. The calorie content may vary depending on the amount and type of ingredients used, as well as the serving size.
Conclusion
Gungjung Tteokbokki is a delicious and nutritious traditional Korean dish, offering a unique blend of flavors from chewy rice cakes with savory soy sauce. This dish is easy to prepare and can be customized to suit individual tastes. With simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can enjoy the classic flavors of Korea at home. Happy cooking and enjoy!
