Vegan Korean Tteokbokki

Total time30 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time20 min

4.7

(17)

Chewy, saucy, and fiery in the best possible way, this Korean street food classic is pure comfort in a bowl — and it comes together in under 30 minutes for four people. The broth starts with kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms, which build a deeply savory, umami-rich base without any fish or meat, making the whole dish completely plant-based from the ground up. Gochujang and gochugaru give the sauce that signature bold heat and vivid red color, while soy sauce, sugar, and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil round everything out into something seriously craveable. Firm tofu, napa cabbage, and green onion go in toward the end, adding protein and freshness without muddying the sauce. One of the trickiest things about traditional tteokbokki is the anchovy-based broth that's almost always hiding underneath — this version sidesteps that entirely with a clean, plant-forward stock that doesn't sacrifice any depth. Serve it straight from the skillet with a scatter of sesame seeds and prepare for it to disappear fast.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the broth

4 cups water
1 piece (4x4 inch) dried kombu
½ oz dried shiitake mushrooms (about 4 small)

For the sauce

3 tbsp gochujang
1 tbsp gochugaru (korean red pepper flakes)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp toasted sesame oil

For the tteokbokki

1 lb cylinder-shaped rice cakes (tteok), fresh or thawed
3 oz firm tofu, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 stalks green onion (scallion), cut into 2-inch pieces
1 cup napa cabbage, roughly chopped

For serving

1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the water, kombu, and dried shiitake mushrooms in a large skillet or wide saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, until the broth is lightly golden and fragrant. Remove and discard the kombu and mushrooms.
2
Whisk the gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil into the hot broth until fully dissolved and the broth is a deep, uniform red.

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