Tteok Kkochi (떡꼬치)

Name: Tteok Kkochi (떡꼬치)
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 1 lb (about 20 oz bag) Korean rice cake (tteok) (substitute: Frozen Rice Cake Chunks); 3 tablespoons Korean red chili paste (gochujang) (substitute: Gochujang (Korean Red Chili Paste)); 1 can Spam (12 oz) or 4 hot dogs Spam or Korean sausage (protein filler) (substitute: Canned Spam or Hot Dogs)

K-DramaK-Drama Street Food Culture·Tteok kkochi is the ultimate K-drama snack — featured in countless shows as characters walk through Seoul's bustling streets eating these sweet-spicy skewers. It's the go-to vendor food that appears in nearly every Korean coming-of-age drama.

Why this food?

Tteok kkochi are chewy rice cake skewers glazed with a addictive sweet-spicy gochujang sauce that's become synonymous with Korean street food culture. These dramatic-worthy bites are served at pojangmacha (street food tents) across Korea and frequently appear in K-dramas as the perfect 'walking snack' moment. Making them at home with Walmart ingredients brings that authentic Seoul street vibe directly to your kitchen.

🇰🇷 K-Culture Tip

Tteok kkochi became a mainstream street food in the 1980s and remains one of Korea's top 5 most-consumed street snacks. The sweet-spicy flavor profile represents the Korean culinary philosophy of balancing opposite tastes (단짠 — sweet-salty). Koreans traditionally eat these while shopping, studying, or during romantic walks, making them culturally tied to leisure and social bonding.

Korean Street Food: How to Make Tteok Kkochi

⏱ 20 min·Easy·3 items at Walmart

Share:Pinterest X

Related Videos & Articles

▶

YouTube

Korean Street Food: How to Make Tteok Kkochi

📰

youtube.com

Tteok Kkochi Scene Compilation

Substitute Ingredients

All available at Walmart

Original	Substitute	Where
Korean rice cake (tteok) 떡	Frozen Rice Cake Chunks Nasoya or store brand Look for pre-cut rice cake pieces labeled 'tteok' or 'rice cake.' Nasoya brand is widely stocked at Walmart and works perfectly. Shop at Walmart	Asian Foods aisle (frozen section)
Korean red chili paste (gochujang) 고추장	Gochujang (Korean Red Chili Paste) CJ or Haechandle CJ brand gochujang is the #1 choice — it's stocked in most US Walmarts. Mix with honey for the classic sweet-spicy balance. Shop at Walmart	International aisle or Asian Foods section
Spam or Korean sausage (protein filler) 스팸 또는 소시지	Canned Spam or Hot Dogs Spam Classic or store brand hot dogs Spam is actually popular in Korea! Cut into ½-inch cubes. Hot dogs are an authentic budget-friendly substitute used at Korean street vendors. Shop at Walmart	Canned meat aisle or refrigerated meat section

🛒 Can't find it at Walmart? Try a Korean grocery store

H Mart near me Find Korean grocery on Google Maps

Your Shopping List

Walmart edition

1 lb (about 20 oz bag) Frozen Rice Cake Chunks
Asian Foods aisle (frozen section)
3 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean Red Chili Paste)
International aisle or Asian Foods section
1 can Spam (12 oz) or 4 hot dogs Canned Spam or Hot Dogs
Canned meat aisle or refrigerated meat section

Instructions

1
Step 1: Cut frozen rice cakes into 1-inch cubes and soak in warm water for 5 minutes until slightly softened (do not fully defrost).
2
Step 2: Thread rice cake cubes onto wooden skewers, alternating with cubed Spam or hot dog pieces, filling each skewer with 6-8 pieces.
3
Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and pan-fry skewers for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until rice cakes are golden and slightly crispy outside.
4
Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together gochujang, honey, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon water until smooth; pour into the skillet and toss skewers to coat evenly.
5
Step 5: Cook for 2 minutes more until sauce caramelizes and clings to rice cakes, then transfer to a plate and serve immediately while hot and sticky.