๐ง Sweet & Savory Korean Food: Shanghai Butter Tteok (์ํ์ด ๋ฒํฐ๋ก) Recipe
The SNS Sensation! The Ultimate Sweet & Salty 'Shanghai Butter Tteok' (์ํ์ด ๋ฒํฐ๋ก) ๐ง Hi everyone! The weather has gotten quite chilly, hasn't it?
The SNS Sensation! The Ultimate Sweet & Salty 'Shanghai Butter Tteok' (์ํ์ด ๋ฒํฐ๋ก) ๐ง
Hi everyone! The weather has gotten quite chilly, hasn't it? ๐ Whenever the cold wind starts blowing, I find myself looking for something delicious to snack on. Especially at night, I get these cravings for something savory and rich! Just yesterday, I was lying in bed, saw this visual on Instagram, and literally ran to the kitchen. lol
Today, Iโm introducing Shanghai Butter Tteok! Honestly, with a name like that, it's a combination that just can't fail. The rich aroma of butter, salty soy sauce, and chewy rice cakes... itโs practically cheating! ๐ Itโs a huge hit when friends come over, and it's the perfect pairing for a solo beer night. Letโs get started on this unique home-cooked recipe right now!
Ingredients (Serves 2) ๐
Itโs even more appealing because you can make it with basic seasonings you already have at home! I used cylinder rice cakes (garae-tteok) that were sitting in my freezer, but tteokbokki cakes, marble-sized cakes, or even sliced rice cakes work great for different textures.
- Essential Ingredients: 300g Rice cakes (about 2 cups of tteokbokki cakes), 30g Unsalted butter (one thick slice), 2 tablespoons Soy sauce, 1.5 tablespoons Sugar, 1 tablespoon Minced garlic
- Optional Ingredients: 0.5 tablespoon Oyster sauce, Crushed red pepper (or Korean chili flakes), 1 tablespoon Rice syrup (or corn syrup), Sesame seeds, Parsley flakes
๐ก Pro Blogger Ingredient Tip! If you're using frozen rice cakes, soak them in cold water for about 10 minutes to soften them, then completely remove the moisture with paper towels. If there's water left, the oil might splatter everywhere when you fry them! My skin is precious... ๐ญ Also, using real butter instead of margarine or processed butter makes the flavor so much deeper!
Cooking Process (Easy to follow! ๐ณ)
Step 1. Prepare Rice Cakes and Remove Moisture
First, cut the rice cakes into bite-sized pieces. I find that bite-sized pieces absorb the sauce much better on all sides, making them way tastier! Give them a quick rinse in cold water to remove excess starch, then place them on paper towels and pat them dry. This is the first step to making the perfect Shanghai Butter Tteok!
Step 2. Pan-fry Rice Cakes until Golden
Preheat a pan over medium heat, add about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and fry the rice cakes first. The key here is to achieve that crispy on the outside, soft on the inside texture! Roll them around until the surface puffs up slightly and they turn a golden color. The nutty aroma is already incredible! โจ
Step 3. Flavor Explosion! Add Butter and Minced Garlic
Once the rice cakes are crispy, turn the heat down to low and add 30g of butter and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. As the butter melts and coats the rice cakes with that garlic aroma... oh, itโs the happiest moment! Garlic burns easily, so stir-fry quickly as the butter foams.
Step 4. Add the Magic Sweet & Salty Seasoning
Now, add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1.5 tablespoons sugar, and the secret to deep flavorโ0.5 tablespoon oyster sauce. Once the seasoning goes in, it can burn quickly due to the sugar. Keep the heat on low, and toss gently until the sauce bubbles and starts sticking to the rice cakes. This allows the perfectly balanced sauce to soak deep into the cakes.
Step 5. The Spicy Kick! Add Crushed Red Pepper
To get that authentic "Shanghai-style" feel, a bit of spice is essential! Add a pinch of crushed red pepper or coarse chili flakes according to your preference. This spiciness cuts through the richness of the butter, making it impossible to stop eating. If youโre serving this to kids, feel free to skip this step!
Step 6. Finish with a Syrup Glaze
Finally, just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of rice syrup and give it one last quick mix. Adding the syrup at the end keeps the rice cakes from getting hard even after they cool, and it gives them a beautiful glossy shine for photos. A fancy dish finished in just 10 minutesโso simple, right? ๐
Plating & Enjoying ๐ฝ๏ธ
I piled the finished Shanghai Butter Tteok high on a wide plate. Sprinkling some sesame seeds and parsley on top makes it look like itโs straight out of a restaurant! When you take a bite, the richness of the butter fills your mouth followed by the punch of salty soy sauce... itโs truly a moving experience. T_T
For drinks, I recommend refreshing sparkling water or cola! But honestly, a cold can of beer is the ultimate pairing. If you're serving this to guests, adding a few baby greens on the side can give it a much more sophisticated look.
Honest Review & Storage ๐
After making it myself, I totally understand why this recipe is trending. The ingredients are simple and the process is easy, but the taste is beyond imagination! Even my husband started snitching pieces and finished the whole plate before I knew it, haha. I guarantee this Shanghai Butter Tteok recipe is something everyone, young and old, will love!
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and microwave for 30โ40 seconds before eating. That will bring back that soft, chewy texture. But since it's so addictive, you probably won't have any left... Iโm actually planning to make it again tomorrow! Why not enjoy a "taste of Shanghai" easily at home tonight? If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment! See you next time with an even tastier recipe~ Bye! ๐
