Buying Korean Rice Cakes: A 2026 Selection

Korean cuisine is enjoying growing popularity in the UK, with dishes like Tteokbokki being particularly in demand. For those who want to prepare authentic Korean dishes at home, a common question arises: which Korean rice cakes (also known as Tteok) are the right ones? The selection is vast, ranging from ready-to-eat snacks to base ingredients for your own culinary creations.

This article serves as a guide. It introduces different types of rice cakes and explains which products are suitable for various preparation methods. The goal is to provide you with an objective basis for your purchasing decision, helping you find the perfect products for your culinary projects.

What to Look for When Buying Korean Rice Cakes?

Choosing the right product primarily depends on the dish you want to prepare and your desired level of effort. Here are some objective criteria to help you decide.

The Right Shape for Your Dish: Sticks or Slices?

Korean rice cakes are mainly available in two shapes, each optimised for different dishes:

• Stick-shaped Rice Cakes (Garaetteok): This is the classic shape for the popular dish Tteokbokki. The thick, cylindrical sticks have a pleasantly chewy texture and absorb sauces exceptionally well. So, if you want to buy authentic Tteokbokki or cook it yourself, stick-shaped rice cakes for Tteokbokki are the ideal choice.
• Oval Rice Cake Slices (Tteokguk-Tteok): These thin, oval slices are traditionally used for Korean rice cake soup (Tteokguk). They cook faster than the sticks and are also excellent for stir-fries or as an addition to hot pots.

Preparation Effort: Instant Meal or Cooking Ingredient?

Your available time plays a significant role in the selection:

• Instant Tteokbokki: These products are perfect for a quick and easy meal. They usually come in cups or single-serving packs that already include rice cakes and a ready-made sauce mix. Preparation often requires only hot water or a few minutes in the microwave.
• Chilled or Shelf-stable Rice Cakes: These packages contain only the rice cakes as a base ingredient. They offer maximum flexibility for creating your own recipes but require you to prepare or purchase the sauce separately. They are the first choice for home cooks who want to control the flavour and spiciness of their dish.

A Selection of Rice Cakes for Different Needs

Here is a curated list of different products that cater to various uses.

Sempio Spicy Rice Cake Cups 160 g

What sets it apart: This product is a ready-to-eat Instant Tteokbokki in a cup. It combines chewy rice cakes with a spicy Gochujang sauce. The preparation is designed for minimal effort, requiring only the addition of water and a short heating time.

Advantages:

• Very quick and simple to prepare.
• Convenient single-serving size.
• No additional ingredients needed, as the sauce and rice cakes are combined.

Best for: Individuals looking for a quick meal for the office or at home who want to experience the classic Tteokbokki flavour without the effort of cooking.

View Product

Chang Li Sheng Rice Cake Slices 500g

What sets it apart: This package contains 500g of sliced Korean rice cakes. Made from rice, water, salt, and alcohol for preservation, these rice cake slices provide a neutral base for a variety of dishes. Their shape makes them particularly suitable for soups and stir-fries.

Advantages:

• Versatile for use in soups (Tteokguk), hot pot, or stir-fries.
• The ingredient list is short and focuses on the essentials.
• The 500g pack is suitable for preparing meals for several people.

Best for: Home cooks who enjoy making Asian soups or stir-fries and are looking for a flexible ingredient that pairs well with other flavours.

View Product

CLS Rice Cake (Strip) 500g

What sets it apart: These are the classic, stick-shaped Garaetteok, which serve as the main ingredient for Tteokbokki. The rice cakes have a firm yet elastic texture that holds up well even after being cooked in a rich sauce. The package must be kept refrigerated.

Advantages:

• Authentic shape and texture for preparing Tteokbokki.
• Absorbs sauces well without falling apart.
• Allows for complete control over the flavour, spiciness, and ingredients of the final dish.

Best for: Anyone who wants to cook traditional Tteokbokki from scratch and maintain full control over the recipe.

View Product

Looking for More Options?

The world of rice cakes is diverse. Besides the Korean varieties presented here, there are numerous other shapes and types used in Asian cuisine. If you want to expand your repertoire or simply browse, you can find more options in our online Asian foods category.

Discover Our Entire Range of Rice Cakes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What exactly are Korean rice cakes (Tteok)?

Tteok is the general Korean term for a wide variety of cakes made from glutinous rice flour or regular rice flour. The rice cakes featured here (Garaetteok and Tteokguk-Tteok) are made from non-glutinous rice flour, which is steamed and then shaped. They have a neutral flavour base and a pleasantly chewy texture.

How do I store opened packages of rice cakes?

The storage instructions on the packaging are key. Chilled rice cakes should be stored in the refrigerator after opening and used quickly, as they can dry out and become hard. To keep them fresh, they can be stored in an airtight container with a little water. Some rice cakes also freeze well.

Can you make a mild version of Tteokbokki?

Yes. Although Tteokbokki is traditionally spicy, the heat level can be easily adjusted. If you buy rice cakes as a separate ingredient, you can prepare your own milder sauce. A common mild version is "Gungjung Tteokbokki," which is soy sauce-based and often prepared with beef and vegetables.