Simple Royal Court Rice Cake (Gungjung Tteokbokki)

Simple Royal Court Rice Cake (Gungjung Tteokbokki)

Cooking time : 15 mins

For non-spicy lovers!

If you love Korean food or want to try something both traditional and tasty, royal tteokbokki, also called Gungjung Tteokbokki, is a must-try. Unlike the spicy gochujang-based tteokbokki that’s popular on the streets, this version is soy sauce–based, savory, and slightly sweet. It’s a dish that once graced the royal tables of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, offering a more elegant flavor profile that’s perfect for those who want a less spicy but equally delicious tteokbokki.

Today, I’m sharing my simple recipe for this royal classic that you can easily make at home with just a few ingredients and basic cooking steps. Let’s dive in!

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Ingredients

• 200g Korean rice cakes (tteok) - ideally garae-tteok, the long cylinder-shaped kind
• 150g thinly sliced beef - leftover cooked beef or fresh beef sliced lengthwise works great
• 2–3 green onions - cut into large chunks
• 1/2 onion - cut lengthwise into thick slices
• 1.5 tbsp cooking oil - neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil
• 2.5 tbsp soy sauce - regular or low-sodium, your choice
• 2 tbsp sugar - granulated sugar works best
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce - adds depth and a subtle sweetness
• 1 tbsp honey - for a glossy finish and extra mild sweetness (optional but recommended)

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Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the Rice Cakes

Start by soaking your rice cakes in warm water for about 5 minutes. This softens them up, ensuring they cook evenly and don’t turn out too chewy or hard. If you have fresh rice cakes, a quick rinse is fine, but refrigerated or frozen ones definitely benefit from soaking.

Why soak?
Soaking prevents the rice cakes from being too dense and helps them absorb the flavors from the sauce later on.

But, you can skip this!

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2. Prepare and Fry the Onions and Green Onions

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the cut green onions and sliced onions and stir-fry until the onions turn a lovely golden brown and smell fragrant. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.

This step builds the flavor base of the dish. The caramelized onions add natural sweetness and aroma, balancing out the salty soy sauce and savory beef.

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3. Add the Beef

Once your onions are golden and soft, add the beef slices to the pan. Stir-fry until the beef is cooked through and no longer pink - it should be tender and flavorful. If you’re using leftover cooked beef, just heat it through gently.

This adds a meaty richness to the dish and pairs beautifully with the sweet and savory sauce.

Sometimes I skip the beef, so that I can enjoy it as a VEGAN dish!

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4. Add the Rice Cakes and Stir-Fry

Drain the soaked rice cakes and add them to the pan. Stir everything together for about 30 seconds so the rice cakes start to mix with the beef and onions. Be gentle to avoid breaking the rice cakes.

This step gets the rice cakes ready to soak up the sauce and blend perfectly with the other ingredients.

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5. Add the Sauces and Sugar

Pour in the 2.5 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 tablespoon oyster sauce. Stir everything well so the sauce coats the rice cakes, beef, and onions evenly. Let it simmer on medium-low heat for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The soy sauce gives a deep, savory flavor while the sugar balances it with sweetness. Oyster sauce adds a layer of richness that makes this dish unique.

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6. Finish with Honey

Finally, add 1 tablespoon of honey and stir-fry for another 30 seconds to finish. The honey adds a beautiful shine and a touch of smooth sweetness that rounds out the flavors perfectly.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve your royal tteokbokki hot, straight from the pan. It goes well with:

• A bowl of steamed white rice
• Pickled radish or kimchi on the side
• Garnished with toasted sesame seeds or extra green onions
• Optional fried or poached egg on top for richness
• OR… For the main dish!

This dish is perfect as a main or side dish and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

• It’s a no spicy, savory alternative to regular tteokbokki.
• The recipe is simple and quick - ready in under 20 minutes.
• You can customize it by adding mushrooms, carrots, or other veggies. I added a chungyang chilli pepper hahaha
• Great for sharing or meal prepping, as it reheats well.

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Tips and Variations

• For extra umami, add a splash of beef broth or water while simmering.
• Swap beef for pork or chicken if preferred.
• Add mushrooms like shiitake or button mushrooms for extra texture.
• For the vegetarian version, skip beef and oyster sauce; add tofu or more veggies instead.

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Storage Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently with a splash of water to soften the rice cakes again.

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This royal tteokbokki is a beautiful and comforting dish that connects us to Korea’s culinary history while satisfying modern tastes. It’s approachable for any home cook and delivers big on flavor without complicated steps.

Whether you’re making it for yourself, family, or friends, this recipe is bound to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Try it tonight and enjoy a taste of Korean royalty! 👑