Discovering Rabokki: A Delicious Korean Fusion Dish
I often find myself browsing the rabokki hashtag on TikTok, captivated by the creative ways others prepare this delightful dish. Each scroll makes my stomach growl, prompting me to ask Mike if he’d like to share a bowl. After all, indulging in a hearty serving of carbs feels less guilty when you’re not alone—especially when most people are cozy in bed! But trust me, it’s always worth it!
What is Rabokki?
Rabokki is an enticing Korean street food that combines ramen and tteokbokki into one mouthwatering dish. This carb-on-carb delight features chewy rice cakes paired with instant noodles, creating a satisfying meal that’s both sweet and spicy.
Ramen + Tteokbokki = Rabokki!
Sometimes referred to as rapokki, this dish is known for its rich flavors and comforting warmth—perfect for those chilly nights or whenever you need a quick yet fulfilling meal. The blend of instant noodles, Korean rice cakes, and a savory-sweet sauce comes together in no time at all. It pairs wonderfully with beer too! Late-night rabokki topped with cheese has become one of my favorite indulgences; the combination of slurpy noodles and chewy rice cakes creates an irresistible experience.
Rabokki has gained immense popularity as both street food and an easy homemade option—even Costco offers its own version!
How to Make Rabokki from Scratch
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine gochujang (Korean chili paste), sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and gochugaru (Korean chili flakes).
- Simmer Rice Cakes: Add your sauce mixture along with rice cakes into a pot filled with water; bring it to a simmer.
- Cook Ramen: Once the rice cakes are soft and chewy, add your ramen noodles to cook them through. Feel free to include some Korean fish cakes for extra flavor!
- Serve: Dish everything out into bowls topped with sliced scallions—and perhaps some boiled eggs or cheese for added richness!
Quick Instant Rabokki Recipe
- Make the Soup Base: Open your instant seasoning packet; mix it in 2 cups of water along with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar in a pot until simmering.
- Create “Rice Cakes”: Soak pieces of rice paper briefly in warm water until pliable; roll tightly then slice into 2-3 inch pieces.
- Cook Noodles: Add your instant noodles into the soup base; after two minutes add your homemade rice cake rolls and let simmer for another minute.
- Enjoy Your Creation! Top off your rabokki with toasted sesame seeds or scallions—and don’t forget that slice of cheese!
Which Version Is Better?
Honestly? It depends on what time it is! After 10 PM? The instant version looks incredibly tempting! However, during regular hours I prefer making traditional rabokki using fresh ingredients.
Essential Ingredients
- Instant Ramen Noodles: Use any brand you like but skip their seasoning packets unless you’re preparing instant rabokki—Shin Ramyun works great due to its thick texture.
- Korean Tteokbokki Rice Cakes: Available fresh at Asian markets or frozen if needed—fresh ones are ideal!
- Gochujang & Gochugaru: These provide essential heat—a thick fermented paste made from chili powder adds depth while chili flakes offer smokiness without overwhelming spice levels.
- Other staples include sugar (for sweetness), garlic (for zest), and soy sauce (for umami).
Is Rabokki Spicy?
The spice level can vary based on personal tolerance—it leans slightly spicy but also carries sweetness which balances out nicely! Adding cheese can help mellow out any heat too.
Best Instant Ramen Choices
While flavor isn’t crucial since we’re discarding seasoning packs generally speaking: Nong Shim Shin Ramyun Black offers moderate spice while Samyang Buldak caters more towards those who crave intense heat.
Where Can You Find Korean Rice Cakes?
You’ll typically find tteobokkis at local Korean grocery stores either freshly made or frozen options available as well.
Substitute for Tteobokkis
If visiting an Asian market isn’t feasible try using Vietnamese rice paper instead: 1) Soak lightly in warm water, 2) Roll tightly, 3) Slice them up just like traditional tteobokkis!
Elevate Your Rabokkis With Toppings
Toppings can transform simple raboki into something extraordinary:
- Onions add sweetness
- Cabbage provides crunch
- Dumplings enhance heartiness
- Fishcakes introduce additional flavors
- Scallions lend freshness
- Eggs boost protein content And melted cheese? Absolutely divine!
I hope you enjoy making this delicious dish—I know what I’m craving next… Long live raboki love!
Simple Raboki Recipe
This recipe combines instant noodles alongside flavorful sauces resulting in an irresistible treat perfect anytime cravings strike! Serves: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp gochugaru
- Eight pieces tteobokkis
- One package preferred brand’s instant ramen
Instructions:
Mix together gochujang,sugar,minced garlic ,soy sauce &gochugaru . Combine mixture within two cups boiling water then simmer till tender(approx five mins). Finally incorporate ramen according package instructions before serving garnished accordingly .
For those opting for ease:
Easy Version:
Use one pack spicy korean ramen plus two sheets soaked Vietnamese-style paper rolled tight cut lengths similar above method mentioned earlier . Enjoy every bite guilt-free knowing how simple yet satisfying these dishes truly are !