Simple and Elegant Gungjung Tteokbokki (Royal Tteokbokki)
Gungjung Tteokbokki (court-style tteokbokki) is a savory, non-spicy Korean royal court rice cake dish stir-fried with soy sauce, beef, and vegetables. It is a milder, elegant version of the popular spicy tteokbokki, originally served in the Joseon Dynasty.
5
30m
medium
Cooking Order
Ingredients
Basic ingredients
Rice Tteok297.67 g(300g)
Bulgogi Beef (thinly sliced)198.45 g(200g)
Shiitake Mushrooms2 pcs
Carrot¼ pc
Green Onions2 stalks
Minari (optional)a handful
Paprika (optional)1/4 pc
Sesame Oil
Sesame Seeds
Tteok Sauce
Soy Sauce1 TBSP
Sweetener (Koreans use oligosaccharide)1 TBSP
Sesame Oil1 TBSP
Beef Marinade
Soy Sauce3 TBSP
Oyster Sauce1 TBSP
Sugar1 TBSP
Minced Garlic1 TSP
Sesame Oil1 TBSP
Pear Juice1 Bottle
Crushed Pepper
Step 1:
Place the tteok into water for 10 minutes or slightly blanch it to soften the tteok. If using garage tteok (long cylindrical tteok) make sure to cut it in half to ensure that the sauce can seep into the tteok.
Step 2:
Pour the Tteok Sauce onto the tteok and mix thoroughly.
Step 3:
Get rid of the shiitake mushroom stems, and cut the head into thin slices. Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4:
Mix the beef, mushroom slices and the beef marinade together, and let it marinate for 20 minutes.
Step 5:
Cut the carrot diagonally into thin slices.
Step 6:
Cut the paprika into thin strips.
Step 7:
Cut the green onion into quarters lengthwise, and then cut it into 3cm lengths.
Step 8:
In a heated pan, pour cooking oil and begin cooking the green onions until slightly brown
Step 9:
Pour some oil into the pan, add the beef marinade and begin cooking.
Step 10:
Once the beef is almost fully cooked, put in 1 Tbsp of minced garlic.
Step 11:
Put the carrot slices, tteok and paprika into the wok and cook until slightly soft.
Step 12:
Put in the pear juice.
Step 13:
Add in soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and tuna fish sauce to taste. (In the video, we added 1 spoonful of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and tuna fish sauce.) If salty, add more pear juice.
Step 14:
As the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat. Place on medium heat for 3 minutes and adjust heat to low. Pour 1 Tbsp of sesame oil.
Step 15:
Place the court-style tteokbokki into the bowl and garnish with sesame seeds.
Editor's Detail
1. Use Soy Sauce Base Instead of Spicy Gochujang for Authentic Gungjung Tteokbokki
Traditional gungjung tteokbokki features a soy sauce-based seasoning, not the spicy gochujang found in street-style tteokbokki. This creates elegant, mild flavors that reflect the refined taste of Korean royal court cuisine. The soy-based sauce allows the natural flavors of premium ingredients to shine through, making gungjung tteokbokki suitable for all palates, including those who cannot handle spicy food.
2. Include Premium Ingredients for Royal Court Authenticity and Nutrition
Add high-quality beef, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and onions to your gungjung tteokbokki for traditional royal court presentation. These ingredients were considered luxurious during the Joseon Dynasty and provide enhanced nutritional value compared to basic street-style tteokbokki. The colorful vegetables create visual appeal while adding vitamins, minerals, and varied textures that make gungjung tteokbokki a complete, balanced meal.
3. Properly Prepare Rice Cakes to Achieve Perfect Chewy Texture
Soak dried rice cakes in warm water for 10-15 minutes before cooking to ensure tender, chewy gungjung tteokbokki without tough or mushy spots. If using fresh rice cakes, rinse them briefly under cold water to remove excess starch. Never skip the soaking step – properly hydrated rice cakes absorb flavors better and maintain their signature chewy texture throughout the cooking process.
4. Master the Delicate Soy-Based Sauce for Balanced Gungjung Tteokbokki Flavor
Combine 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons mirin, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil with a touch of sugar to create mild, savory gungjung tteokbokki sauce. This delicate balance highlights the natural flavors of premium ingredients without overwhelming heat or saltiness. Adjust seasoning gradually and taste frequently – the sauce should enhance, not mask, the subtle flavors that make gungjung tteokbokki special.
5. Cook Gently and Present Elegantly for Traditional Korean Royal Court Style
Simmer gungjung tteokbokki over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes to prevent rice cakes from breaking apart or becoming mushy. Gentle cooking preserves the integrity of expensive ingredients and maintains the refined texture expected in royal court cuisine. Garnish the gungjung tteokbokki with toasted sesame seeds, julienned scallions, and a drizzle of sesame oil for traditional Korean royal court visual appeal that honors this dish’s prestigious heritage.
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