Royal Court Tteokbokki (궁중 떡볶이)
Why this food?
The original royal palace tteokbokki — no spice, no red sauce. Just tender rice cakes with beef, mushrooms, and vegetables in a savory soy glaze. The tteokbokki that existed before the red version took over.
🇰🇷 K-Culture Tip
궁중떡볶이 (royal court tteokbokki) is the original version — served in the Joseon Dynasty royal palace centuries before the red version existed. The reason there's no spice: gochujang (red pepper paste) only arrived in Korea in the 16th century when Portuguese traders brought chili peppers via Japan. The spicy street 떡볶이 everyone knows today is the modern invention; this royal version is the ancient one.
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Substitute Ingredients
All available at Walmart
| Original | Substitute |
|---|---|
Oval rice cakes 떡 | Korean oval rice cakes (tteok) Soak 20 min before cooking if using dried Shop at Walmart |
Beef sirloin 소고기 | Beef sirloin (thinly sliced) Slice paper thin — freezing 20 min beforehand helps Shop at Walmart |
Sesame oil 참기름 | Toasted sesame oil Kadoya The main flavor driver — do not substitute Shop at Walmart |
🛒 Can't find it at Walmart? Try a Korean grocery store
Your Shopping List
Walmart edition
- 1 lb Korean oval rice cakes (tteok)
- 3 oz Beef sirloin (thinly sliced)
- 2 teaspoons Toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- 1
Soak oval rice cakes in cold water 20 minutes, drain
- 2
Thinly slice 3 oz beef sirloin, marinate in 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp sugar + 1 tsp sesame oil for 10 minutes
- 3
Stir-fry beef in a hot pan 2 minutes, set aside
- 4
In same pan, stir-fry julienned carrots and sliced mushrooms 2 minutes with sesame oil
- 5
Add rice cakes and 1/2 cup water, cook 5 minutes stirring until water absorbs
- 6
Return beef, add 2 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp sugar + 1 tsp sesame oil, toss everything together
- 7
Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds
