"A bowl of tteokbokki with bright red sauce and fish cakes — a classic Korean street food."

(떡볶이, 먹음직하죠?👉 Tteokbokki — looks spicy, sweet, and absolutely delicious!)

Korean Food Story #2

Tteokbokki – A Comforting Snack That Captivated the World

🌶️ A Red Memory from My Childhood

When I was young, I used to eat spicy red tteokbokki in a narrow alley after school.
Kids would line up in front of the stall, and just 100 won could buy you a warm cup of comfort.

In high school, I remember the spicy flavor after night classes with friends.
And in college, the sweet version I shared with my girlfriend (now my wife) still lingers in my memory.
For me, tteokbokki wasn’t just a snack — it was a quiet companion through the seasons of my life.

🥢 What Is Tteokbokki?

Tteokbokki is a beloved Korean snack made of chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy and slightly sweet gochujang (red pepper paste) sauce.
It’s often topped with fish cakes, scallions, boiled eggs, or even ramen noodles for a heartier meal.

"Close-up of chewy rice cakes made from pure rice flour, before cooking."

(떡볶이 재료 떡, 순 쌀가루로 만든 둥글고 길쭉한 떡으로 만듭니다👉 The main ingredient: chewy rice cakes made from pure rice flour, shaped long and round.)

Today, it has evolved into many creative variations —
cheese tteokbokki, cream tteokbokki, mala tteokbokki — to suit international tastes.

🕰️ From Street Food to Survival Food

In the 1960s and 70s, tteokbokki was one of the cheapest snacks you could find.
At markets and school gates, elderly women cooked huge pots of it with just water, gochujang, and rice cakes.
It wasn’t about indulgence — it was about fighting hunger.

"A vintage Korean tteokbokki stall from the 1980s, symbolizing food and survival in hard times."

(1980년대 어렵던 시절 떡볶이 가게 풍경👉 A tteokbokki stall from the 1980s — a glimpse into Korea’s humble, struggling days.)

But even then, that small bowl of tteokbokki had the power to warm hearts and bring comfort to everyday lives.

🌍 Now, a Global Favorite

Tteokbokki has become a symbol of K-food culture loved around the world.
It’s a must-try dish for tourists in Korea and a favorite in YouTube mukbang videos.

In cities like New York, Paris, Bangkok, and London,
“K-Street Food” shops sell tteokbokki alongside gimbap,
and cheese tteokbokki, in particular, has won global fans.

"Tteokbokki cooking in a large pot at a street market in Korea."

(떡볶이는 거리 간식으로 시작되었어요. 지금은 전 세계인의 사랑을 받는 K-푸드랍니다.👉 Tteokbokki began as humble street food, and now it's a beloved K-food around the world.)

🇰🇷 How to Enjoy It in Korea

If you’re visiting Korea, you absolutely have to try tteokbokki!
You can find it in food stalls, small eateries, and franchise chains.

Hongdae / Sinchon: Trendy, fusion-style spicy tteokbokki
Myeongdong: Tourist-friendly shops with gentle flavors
Traditional Markets (like Gwangjang or Tongin): Authentic, old-style tteokbokki

💰 Price: Usually ₩3,000–₩6,000 per serving ($2.2–$4.5)

"A plate of tteokbokki served at Gwangjang Market in Seoul, known for its nostalgic and authentic flavors."

(광장시장 떡볶이, 오래된 맛집의 손맛이 살아있어요👉 Tteokbokki at Gwangjang Market — the taste of tradition passed down through generations.)

🏠 Enjoy It Anywhere – Even at Home

Today, tteokbokki meal kits are available not only in Korea but also online around the world.
These kits typically include frozen rice cakes, sauce, fish cakes, and cooking instructions.

"Tteokbokki meal kit with rice cakes and spicy sauce, showing a simple home-cooked version for two people ($4.3 or 6,000 KRW)."

(밀키트로 직접 요리할 수 있는 떡볶이, 집에서도 간편하게 만들 수 있어요. 2인분 $4.3(6,000원)
👉 Tteokbokki made from a meal kit — easy to cook at home. 2 servings for $4.3 (₩6,000))

USA: Available at H-Mart, Amazon
Europe: Found at Korean food stores or Asian markets
Asia: Popular on Shopee, Qoo10, and more

👉 From microwave-ready cups to full 2–3 serving kits, there’s something for everyone!

🧡 A Bowl That Holds a Nation’s Heart

A bowl of tteokbokki carries more than just flavor —
it holds Korea’s past and present, its warmth and spirit.

Wherever you are in the world, I hope you can share in this small comfort.
If you visit Korea, don’t miss it.
And if you're staying abroad, perhaps a meal kit can bring that taste a little closer to home.

"Modern tteokbokki with cheese and noodles served in a stylish Korean cafe."

(치즈 듬뿍 올린 퓨전 떡볶이
👉 Fusion-style tteokbokki with melted cheese — a modern twist to a classic dish.)

* 한글을 읽는 것이 편하신 분들을 위해 한글 원본을 올립니다.

🍲 한국 음식 이야기 ②
떡볶이 – 추억의 간식, 세계인의 입맛을 사로잡다

어릴 적, 방과 후 골목에서 먹던 빨간 떡볶이.
가게 앞에는 늘 아이들이 줄을 서 있었고, 한 접시에 100원이면 살 수 있던 따끈한 추억.

고등학교 시절, 야간 자율학습을 마치고 친구들과 함께 먹던 그 매콤한 맛.
대학교 앞에서 여자친구(지금의 아내)와 함께 먹었던 그 달콤한 맛.
저에겐 단순한 간식이 아니라, 그 시절을 함께 살아낸 작은 위로였습니다.

🥢 떡볶이는 어떤 음식인가요?
떡볶이는 가래떡(쌀떡)을 매콤달콤한 고추장 소스에 볶아 만든 한국의 대표 간식입니다.
어묵, 파, 삶은 달걀, 라면사리 등을 더해 풍성하게 즐기기도 하죠.
요즘은 치즈, 크림, 마라 소스 등으로 전 세계 입맛에 맞게 진화하고 있습니다.

🕰️ 가난한 시대의 음식, 생계의 도구
1960~70년대 떡볶이는 값싼 거리 간식이자 생계를 위한 음식이었습니다.
학교 앞이나 시장에서 솥 하나에 떡과 고추장만 넣어 팔던 모습이 떠오릅니다.
그 시절, 떡볶이는 마음을 데우는 한 그릇의 위로였습니다.

🌍 지금은 글로벌 푸드
이제 떡볶이는 K-푸드의 대표로 전 세계에서 사랑받고 있습니다.
유튜브 먹방, K-Street Food 매장, 외국 마켓에서도 자주 볼 수 있죠.

🇰🇷 한국에서 즐기는 법
홍대·신촌: 젊고 감각적인 퓨전 떡볶이
명동: 관광객에게 친숙한 맛과 분위기
전통시장: 광장시장, 통인시장 등에서 정통 스타일을 맛볼 수 있어요
💰 가격: 보통 1인분 ₩3,000~₩6,000 ($2.2~$4.5)

🏠 해외에서도 즐기는 법
H-Mart, Amazon, Shopee 등에서 밀키트 구매 가능
전자레인지용 컵 떡볶이부터 2~3인용 본격 밀키트까지 다양합니다.

🧡 떡볶이 한 그릇 속엔
한국의 과거와 정서, 그리고 지금의 따뜻함이 담겨 있습니다.
한국에 오신다면 꼭 맛보시길 바랍니다.
지금 계신 곳에서도 밀키트로 그 따뜻함을 느껴보시길 바랍니다.

insidekorea

Korean Food Story #2 Tteokbokki – A Comforting Snack That Captivated the World