Korean cheese rice balls, also known as "tteokbokki," are a popular snack in Korea. They are made from rice cakes, filled with cheese, and covered in a spicy sauce. This snack is commonly found on the streets of Korea and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
How To Make:
To make Korean cheese rice balls, rice cakes are first soaked in water to soften them. Once they are pliable, a small amount of cheese is placed in the center of the rice cake, and then the rice cake is rolled into a ball around the cheese. The rice ball is then coated in flour and deep-fried until it becomes crispy on the outside.
The spicy sauce that is typically served with Korean cheese rice balls is made from a blend of gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, sugar, and garlic. The sauce is heated in a pan until it thickens and becomes a glaze. The fried rice balls are then tossed in the spicy sauce, making sure that each one is evenly coated.
Korean cheese rice balls are typically served on a skewer for easy snacking. The combination of the crispy fried rice cake, melted cheese, and spicy sauce creates a unique and delicious flavor. They are perfect for a quick snack on the go or as a party appetizer.
In recent years, Korean cheese rice balls have become popular in other parts of the world, and many Korean restaurants now offer them on their menus. They are a fun and tasty way to experience the flavors of Korea.
Tips and Variations:
1. Cheese: You can experiment with different types of cheese to add more variety to the snack. Great choices include pepper jack, mozzarella, and cheddar.
2. Spiciness: If you prefer milder flavors, you can adjust the amount of gochujang used in the sauce. On the other hand, you can add extra if you prefer it hotter.
3. Toppings: You can also add toppings to the rice balls before serving, such as chopped scallions, sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts.
4. Dipping sauce: Instead of coating the rice balls with the spicy sauce, you can serve the sauce as a dipping sauce on the side.
5. Baking: If you want to make a healthier version of the snack, you can bake the rice balls in the oven instead of deep-frying them. Brush them with oil before baking to give them a crispy texture.
6. Gluten-free: If you are gluten intolerant, you can use gluten-free flour to coat the rice balls before frying them.
7. Vegan: If you follow a vegan diet, you can use vegan cheese instead of regular cheese to make the snack. You can also substitute soy sauce for the fish sauce typically used in the sauce recipe.
Remember to have fun and experiment with different flavors and techniques to create your own unique version of Korean cheese rice balls.
Ingredients:
- - 1 pound rice cakes
- - 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- - Oil for frying
- - 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- - 1 tablespoon sugar
- - 1 clove garlic, minced
- - 1/2 cup water
Instructions:
1. Soak the rice cakes in cold water for about 30 minutes until they become soft and pliable. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Cut the mozzarella cheese into small cubes.
3. Take a small amount of the rice cake and form it into a ball, about the size of a ping-pong ball.
4. Press your thumb into the center of the ball to create a small indentation, then place a cube of cheese into the indentation.
5. Gently fold the rice cake over the cheese, forming a ball and making sure the cheese is completely covered.
6. Roll each rice ball in flour to coat evenly.
7. Heat enough oil for deep-frying in a large pot or wok until it reaches 350°F.
8. Fry the rice balls in the hot oil for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Remove the rice balls from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
10. In a separate pan, combine gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and water. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens.
11. Add the rice balls to the pan with the sauce and stir to coat them evenly.
12. Serve immediately on skewers or toothpicks.
Enjoy your delicious Korean cheese rice balls!