Rabokki: A Favored Korean Meal Merging Ramen and Tteokbokki
# Discovering Rabokki: A Tasty Korean Street Food
Occasionally, I browse the rabokki hashtag on TikTok to see various ways people prepare their rabokki. Without fail, it makes me hungry, and I ask Mike if he would like to share a bowl, so I don’t feel so guilty indulging in a large portion of carbs while most folks are cozy in bed. Yet, it’s always worth it!
## What is Rabokki?
Rabokki is a well-loved Korean street food that merges ramen and tteokbokki in one dish. This delightful carb-on-carb combination is a real treat for enthusiasts of both instant noodles and chewy rice cakes.
## Ramen + Tteokbokki = Rabokki
Sometimes known as rapokki, this dish showcases a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce that makes it ideal for a warm, quick meal. The mix of instant noodles, Korean rice cakes, and the spicy-sweet sauce comes together swiftly, making it a perfect option for late-night cravings, especially when enhanced with cheese. The slurp-friendly noodles, chewy rice cakes, and spice create a heavenly pairing. Rabokki is hugely popular, both as street food and as a convenient meal you can whip up at home, with even Costco selling rabokki!
## How to Prepare Rabokki from Scratch
1. **Prepare the sauce**: In a small bowl, combine gochujang, sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of gochugaru.
2. **Simmer the soup with the rice cakes**: Add the sauce and rice cakes to a pot of water and let it come to a simmer.
3. **Cook the ramen**: Once the rice cakes are tender and chewy, add the ramen and cook. Optionally, include some Korean fish cakes.
4. **Serve and enjoy**: Serve garnished with scallions, a boiled egg, and some cheese!
## How to Create Instant Rabokki
1. **Prepare the soup**: Open the instant seasoning packet, add it to a pot with 2 cups of water and 1 tbsp of brown sugar. Bring it to a simmer.
2. **Create the “rice cakes”**: Lightly soak a sheet of rice paper in warm water, tightly roll it, and slice it into 2-3 inch pieces. Repeat with another sheet.
3. **Cook the noodles**: Add the noodles to the soup and simmer for 2 minutes. Incorporate your homemade rice cakes and cook for 1 more minute.
4. **Savor**: Top with toasted sesame seeds, scallions, and a slice of cheese.
## Which One is Superior?
The decision between homemade and instant rabokki often hinges on the time of day. After around 10 PM, the instant version can be quite tempting, while the traditional one is favored during daytime.
## Ingredients
– **Instant ramen**: Use noodles from an instant ramen package (Shin Ramyun is a favorite).
– **Korean tteokbokki rice cakes**: Obtainable fresh, packaged, or frozen at Korean grocery stores.
– **Gochujang**: A spicy Korean sauce that adds flavor and heat.
– **Gochugaru**: Korean chili flakes that offer a mild, smoky warmth.
– **Sugar, garlic, soy sauce**: For sweetness, raw spice, and umami.
## Is Rabokki Spicy?
The spice level of rabokki can differ based on individual tolerance. Typically, it is mildly spicy but also sweet. Adding cheese can help diminish the heat, making it more pleasant for those with a low spice tolerance.
## Best Instant Ramen for Rabokki
Although the flavor of the ramen isn’t a major concern since you won’t use the spice pack, for the easier version, consider using Nong Shim Shin Ramyun Black for standard spice or Samyang Buldak for a spicier taste.
## Where to Purchase Korean Rice Cakes
You can locate tteokbokki rice cakes at Korean markets, available either freshly made or as frozen items. Fresh is the optimal choice, but packaged and frozen alternatives are also good.
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