How to order Spicy Rice Cakes (떡볶이) in Korea
Chewy cylindrical rice cakes in a spicy, garlicky red sauce with vegetables. Addictive street-food heat that builds gradually.
Say it to order
떡볶이 주세요
Tteokbokki juseyo
Quick facts
- 떡볶이
- tteok-bok-ki
- 3 of 5
- ₩5,000–8,000
- About 10 min
- Easy
How to eat it
Push the tteok around with your chopsticks to separate them as they cook. Eat bite by bite, sipping the spicy sauce.
Do
- Take small bites — the sauce can scald your mouth if you're not careful.
- Feel free to dunk rice cakes or fish cakes in the sauce broth.
Don’t
- Don't stick chopsticks straight up in the rice cakes (like incense) — it's funeral-related.
- Don't blow on the food to cool it — just wait patiently.
Local tips
- 남이분식 is the classic style — no frills
- Ask for 치즈 추가 (cheese add) if you want it milder
Goes with
- Sundae
- Twigim (fried things)
- Odeng
Where to try it in Seoul
Questions
- How do you order Spicy Rice Cakes in Korean?
- Say “떡볶이 주세요” (Tteokbokki juseyo).
- Is Spicy Rice Cakes spicy?
- Yes — about 3 out of 5 on the spice scale.
- How much does Spicy Rice Cakes cost in Korea?
- Usually ₩5,000–8,000.
- How do you eat Spicy Rice Cakes?
- Push the tteok around with your chopsticks to separate them as they cook. Eat bite by bite, sipping the spicy sauce.
Find Spicy Rice Cakes near you
Jinjja shows real local places, what to order and how to say it — in your language.