Savory, chewy rice cakes with beef and veggies.

Korean Royal Rice Cake Stir Fry - Gungjung Tteokbbokki

Serves 3-4

Inspired by Maangchi. This is a dish that would have been eaten in the Joseon Royal court (1392-1910). It is the original version of the well known spicy tteokbboki.

Ingredients

500g (1 lb) cylindrical rice cakes

Marinade

180g (a little over .25 lb) ribeye, sliced .25 in thick at an angle

2 garlic cloves, minced

2g (.5 t) ginger, minced

1 T soy

1.5 t mirin

1 t sesame oil

.25 t Worchestershire sauce

1/8 t white pepper

1/8 t salt

Stir Fry Sauce

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 T soy sauce

1.5 t sugar

1 t sesame oil

.5 t maesil or honey

.5 t gochugaru, optional

1/8 t salt

Vegetables

454g (about 1 lb) shiitake or button mushrooms, sliced .25 in thick

220g (1 large) onion, sliced .25 in thick with the grain

2 bell peppers, mixed colors, sliced into .25 in thick julienne

Finishing

2 scallions, sliced

Sesame seeds

Recipe Know-how

Marinate beef

1.      Combine all marinade ingredients, mixing until the meat absorbs all of the liquid.

2.      Allow to marinate at least 15 minutes

Stir Fry

3.      Combine all stir fry sauce ingredients. Set aside

4.      In a large saute pan or wok over high heat, heat 1 t vegetable oil. Add beef. Cook 2-3 minutes flip, cook 30-45 seconds longer or until about ¾ cook through. Remove to a large bowl.

• If needed add another 1 t vegetable oil. Add mushrooms. Cook 2-3 minutes. Remove to bowl with beef.

  • The mushrooms should begin to wilt but not brown

• Add onions with a pinch of salt and white pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes. Remove to bowl with beef.

• Add peppers with another pinch of salt and white pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes or until tender crisp. Remove to bowl with beef.

5.      Reduce heat to medium. Add stir fry sauce, rice cakes and all collected juices from beef and vegetables. Bring to a simmer.

• Reduce heat to low. Cook stirring often 15-20 minutes or until the rice cakes are soft.

6.      Increase heat to medium. Add beef and vegetables to rice cakes. Stirring often, cook until meat is cooked through and vegetables have reheated about 5 minutes.

7.      Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve.