12+1 Dishes to Eat With Tteokbokki for a Full Meal - A Pinch of Adventure (2024)

My kids absolutely love trying new recipes. Usually I'm the one to discover and present them for approval. Recently though, my son, fresh from college graduation, declared he wanted us all to try Tteokbokki.

I nodded with enthusiastic agreement, and with the confidence of Gordon Ramsay, said, "of course we can". I promptly excused myself and quietly looked up Tteokbokki.

My search took me to the wonderful world of Korean street food, with this savory dish listed as one of the most popular. The main ingredient is Korean rice cakes, but unlike the American version, they are finger shaped, and have more of a doughy consistency, (similar to gnocchi).

The dish also includes a spicy sauce and fish cake. The result is a sweet and spicy bowl of deliciousness that looks similar to a beautiful bowl of penne vodka. Now since Tteokbokki is considered a snack, I had to expand my search engine skills to include what you can eat with this Korean rice cake delicacy, if you want to make it more of a meal.

What I found was a host of tasty options, something for everyone including, soups, salads, vegetarian plates, finger foods, and creamy pastries. Interested in seeing exactly what side treats were uncovered? Read on!

1. Musaengchae (Radish Salad)

Personally, I love the crisp snap of a good radish. So when I discovered this flavorful raw version of Korean radish salad, my taste buds did a happy dance.

This is a common side dish in Korea because it's so easy to literally toss together. The key to making this salad great is to choose a firm radish that's smooth and shiny.

Not only is it easy, this cold salad is vegetarian. The refreshing salad is a crunchy and tangy contrast to the softness of the Tteokbokki.

The entire process takes only 15 minutes. If cutting the radish is too much for you, (Korean radishes are the size of a large mango), you can use a food processor.

2. Homemade Mandy (Korean Dumplings)

If you're wondering what to eat with Tteokbokki, try this recipe. After all, who doesn't love a good dumpling? This recipe has a prep time of a little over an hour, but it's well worth the 40 delicious dumplings you'll end up with.

I would suggest recruiting the troops and making an assembly line. This will cut the prep time, and it's actually a nice family activity. The spicy dumplings will add layers of flavor to your Tteokbokki, and will make for a well-rounded meal.

3. Boiled Eggs

Boiled eggs are a great way to get your protein in, when snaking on the Tteokbokki. There's really not an easier side you could make, and even a big batch only takes a matter of minutes. It's a great way to get in some protein, and they won't overpower the flavors of other dishes.

Boiled eggs can also be mixed in with the rice cakes. Pro-tip, after boiling the eggs, immediately soak them in ice water. This will make it easier to peel the shells.

4. Fish Cake Soup (Odeng Soup)

There's nothing better, on a chilly day, than a hot bowl of soup. If you love fish, then this is the side for you. It's also the soup for busy folks under time constraints, because it takes a mere 3–4 minutes to prepare.

Just toss together the radish, anchovy broth, fish cake, and onion, along with a few other ingredients, toss them in a pot, and simmer for 40 minutes. Odeng has a similar flavor profile to Tteokbokki, so your palate won't be overwhelmed when eaten together.

5. Kimbap (Korean Seaweed Rice Roll)

This tasty finger food is a high protein side that's also loaded with potassium, vitamins A and C. It will definitely add to the nutritional value of a meal that includes Tteokbokki.

Made with rice, veggies, and seaweed, the rolls only take about 20 minutes, and are pretty fun to put together. You will need a bamboo mat.

6. Yangnyeom Chicken (Korean Fried Chicken)

This Korean fried chicken recipe is perfect for the chicken connoisseur that likes some spice in their life. The spicy sweet sauce made with honey, mustard, soy sauce, hot sauce, and rice wine makes this version truly stand out from the others.

Prep time is a quick 15 minutes, then leave the wings (wings work best), to marinate for 2 hours. Cook time takes only 20 minutes. These wings will make your meal complete, filling you up, while giving you lots of protein energy.

7. Kimchi

Kimchi is a fantastic, easy to make sour dish, made from fermented cabbage and squid as the main ingredients. Just chop all the ingredients, make a mixture of flour and water, and put everything into an airtight jar.

Put in your fridge for several days to ferment. You will know the kimchi is ready when you see lots of bubbles and liquid. Eat kimchi with Tteokbokki is perfect because the starch from the rice cakes will offset the sourness of the fermented cabbage.

8. Bungeoppang (Korean Fish Shaped Pastry)

Fish shaped pastry is a popular winter food, and is easy to make at home, (as long as you have a fish shaped pan). It's more of a snack food, so while you can certainly eat in between bites if your Tteokbokki, you may want to save it for afterward.

At any rate, it only takes about 15 minutes to prepare, and consists only of a simple crust, and filling of your choice, like pudding, custard, Nutella, or even cheese.

The combination of the crispy crust and soft, velvety filling will definitely be a hit with the whole family.

9. Eomuk Guk (Fish Cake Soup)

Now you may be asking yourself, what is the difference between Odeng and Eomuk Guk soup. Yes, they are both fish cake soups, but Odeng uses some more earthy ingredients, like kelp and chrysanthemum leaves.

Eomuk Guk concentrates on bringing out just the fish cake and radish flavor. It's really just a matter of taste, but Eomuk may be preferable for kids, and those pesky picky eaters.

It's an easy 20 minutes to make, and sure to add to the warmth of your rice cakes.

10. Mixed Twigim

Twigim is the Korean version of tempura. These deep-fried delights can be made with just about anything from veggies to seafood. Their crunchy goodness is often made better by dipping sauces.

One of the best things about pairing it with Tteokbokki is that you can dip the twigim into the rice cake's savory sauce. The crunchy texture is also a nice contrast to the doughy chewiness of the Tteokbokki.

The simple batter of flour, cornstarch, seasonings, and egg, is easy to make, and you can choose anything to roll in it. Popular choices include mushrooms, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and shrimp, but the possibilities are endless.

You will need a deep fryer or large pot. It helps to have a thermometer, because the oil temperature should be 350 degrees before submerging your twigim.

11. Ramen

Ramen often gets a bad rap as some struggling artist or college student food. Many of us are only familiar with the hard, square bricks you find in the supermarket. Truth be told, ramen can be a delicious and nutritious comfort food if made properly.

This recipe does that, and it's quick and easy to make. Just take the average package of ramen noodles, some chicken broth, ginger, garlic, and veggies like mushrooms, carrots, and kale.

Boil the noodles in the broth while you sauté the veggies in some olive oil. In about 10 minutes, you'll have a delicious dish that you can keep on the side, or mix in with your Tteokbokki for an entirely new flavorful experience.

12. Korean Soondae Bokkeum

This Soondae recipe uses a blood sausage that is filled with Korean glass noodles. There is a spicy sweetness to it that matches up well with the flavor of Tteokbokki.

This recipe takes the sausage to a higher level by adding cabbage, carrots, and a savory marinade. This combination makes it more of a small entrée, It's certain to add flavor to any traditional meal.

13. Strawberry Soju co*cktail

This adult beverage presents beautifully with its light pink color, velvety appearance, and decorative fresh fruit. It's almost too pretty to drink, but we're sure you'll manage.

This co*cktail is made with soju (a distilled alcohol made of rice), and calpic (a Japanese soft drink with a milky consistency and yogurt tang). It's so sweet and smooth, it's easy to forget that it contains alcohol, so be careful.

This is the perfect drink to make if you're serving Tteokbokki to an adult crowd. It takes only 2 minutes to whip up.

📖 Recipe